Why there’s plenty to be positive about when it comes to your allergies

11th January 2023

Why there’s plenty to be positive about when it comes to your allergies

There’s so much about our allergies that can get us down. If you have a food allergy, you can’t just go and enjoy a pleasant meal without having to work for it. Or if you have hay fever, you can’t take in the great outdoors without the antihistamines first. Add onto that all of the doom-and-gloom news about allergies, and it’s easy to see how it can be a drag on your life.

So let’s have some optimism instead! There’s still plenty to be happy about. If you look for it, you can find the signs that living with an allergy is easier now than it ever has been. We’re making fantastic strides as a society. Don’t believe us? Here’s some positive allergy news to make you feel better.

We’ve seen a wave of laws and legislation

The only reason we’ve seen these steps forward is because of the people who lost their lives along the way. Avoidable deaths of young people have spurred family and friends into action to bring about great change, so no one has to suffer as they did. Because of their hard work and dedication, allergy-related laws have become a reality.

You have Natasha’s Law, named for Natasha Ednan-Laperouse who died of an allergic reaction at the age of 15. She bought a pre-packed sandwich that had no allergy labels on it. She believed she was safe. But hidden sesame seeds triggered a serious reaction in her, leading to her losing her life. Now Natasha’s Law exists to ensure prepacked food like this has a full ingredient list on it, so that this can’t happen again.

Owen’s Law is another example, though it hasn’t come into effect yet. Owen Carey was 18 years old when he had an anaphylactic reaction to buttermilk on a burger he had. Despite asking, Owen was assured his meal was safe. It wasn’t. Now his family is hoping to bring about Owen’s Law, making it a requirement that restaurants include information about the top 14 allergens in their menu. Talks with the government have been taking place.

All of this to say that there are people taking your allergies seriously. Steps are being taken to keep more people safe. And the more we have these discussions, the sooner people will come to understand just how dangerous these conditions can be.

There are changes where it’s needed

As we begin to understand more about allergies, we start to see changes in our healthcare services. That’s why new NHS hospital food standards include training for all staff specifically about food allergies. The new standards state that everyone who comes into contact with the food will need the training, including nurses and porters. This should take one worry off people’s minds when they’re in hospital.

Elsewhere, a comprehensive survey of allergy services for children found that treatment has exploded. There has been a four-fold increase in allergy services available to children across the country. And a seven-fold increase in the number of new patient appointments over the last 15 years. So any parent who is struggling has more support if they need it.

The survey did find that service availability varies depending on where you are, but this just gives us something we can aim for. Let’s make sure all children have access to the care they need for their allergies.

There’s a mountain of new research

Of course, the research will never stop in a field like this. There’s still so much about allergies we don’t understand. So many that need curing. And if you go looking for it, you’ll see how hard at work researchers are to make progress.

Earlier this year, we even covered one of these studies, which looked at how we could potentially treat peanut allergies. These findings are one piece in a larger puzzle of learning how to prevent them from ever happening in the first place. But even in the last few months, there are studies that have drawn attention. Such as this one that looks at how specific antibodies and our gut biome play their part. Or another that wanted to learn more about how our body responds to allergy triggers.

There are people out there trying to make the world a better place and solve these issues. While we’re likely a long way off, it paints a picture of a world where allergies aren’t a concern anymore. And if that’s not something to be optimistic about, we don’t know what is!

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for allergies yet. But what is available is the support you need. If you have an allergy that you’re unsure about, get in touch with our allergy specialists. They can provide you with the advice and treatment you need to live a full and happy life. Reach out to us on 02031 433 449.

How to avoid fake allergy advice on social media

14th September 2022

How to avoid fake allergy advice on social media

Did your parents ever tell you not to believe everything you hear? Well that advice has never been more true in our online world. There are hundreds of myths flying around that people take as fact. It’s all fun and games, until it starts to affect people’s lives. The truth is, fake news spreads a lot faster than real news.

When it comes to allergy myths, misinformation can get people hurt, or worse, killed. You have to think twice about everything you read online, especially on social media. But how can you spot allergy misinformation? Here are our tips for keeping yourself safe and spotting the fake advice.

Check your sources

This is something you should do for all stories you read on the internet. We’ve all been there. A friend shares a post they found on Facebook talking about a miracle way to treat your rash. It sounds reasonable, and you think why not try it? But do you know where the advice came from? Does your friend who shared it?

Whether it’s because they’re selling something or just want to look like an expert, people lie all the time. Even if it looks official – maybe the person giving the advice is a doctor – it’s not that simple. What qualifications do they have? Are they highly regarded in their field? 

You should always look for the original source of any advice. Maybe it’s a scientific study. Or maybe it came from a medical clinic blog. If that’s the case, it’s usually fine. But if all you can find is the same advice just circling around social media, it probably isn’t trustworthy.

Don’t take news at face value

Surely news sites are trustworthy? Typically, they are. But news is a business and in today’s world, it’s all about the clicks. It isn’t unusual to find news sites talking about medical research in a sensational way. For example, let’s say there was a study in the early stages of a new treatment for peanut allergies. The news might take this and make the title “new miracle cure for peanut allergies”. It’s not exactly wrong, but it’s also not an accurate portrayal of the research.

Our tip here is similar to the first one. Do your own research. If a news story talks about a study, find it yourself. See if they call it a preliminary study, which means it’s the start of a wider research topic. Even if everything looks right, make sure it has enough participants, for example. A study on just 10 people isn’t going to be enough to make big claims.

Allergy testing

There are plenty of at-home allergy tests you can do. We even offer it ourselves. There’s nothing wrong with it, but you have to be sure the people selling or conducting the test are properly qualified. Not all of them will have doctors on the team to verify the tests, and some give you a list of 100 items you’re apparently allergic to. That’s incredibly unlikely.

If you’re ever worried about a potential allergy and want a test, make sure it’s backed up by actual doctors – preferably allergy specialists. That way, you know the results you get will be real, and the advice honest.

It’s easy to get swept up in misinformation, especially when you’re concerned about your health. But some due diligence will go a long way in keeping you safe. Always question any advice you read and make sure it’s coming from people who are qualified experts in their field. That way, you’ll know you’re getting the right information you need.

With a team of qualified and experienced allergists, you can always come to us with any allergy concerns you may have. Whether you want testing or some friendly advice, we can help. You can register as a new patient, or simply call us on 02031 433 449.