What NOT to say to people with food allergies

28th June 2023

What NOT to say to people with food allergies

Navigating a food allergy is difficult. For anyone that doesn’t have one, you might not be familiar with the constant anxiety involved with checking every single ingredient in your food. The feeling that something might cause an allergic reaction. And the unending conversations where you have to explain your condition to people who don’t (or simply don’t want to) understand.

Unless you’re living with that constantly over your head, it’s hard to see how deeply it can affect a person. The last thing they need is someone making careless remarks that undermine their condition. And you might be contributing without even realising. So here are some phrases people with food allergies often hear – and how you can be a bit kinder with your words.

“Is it really that bad?”

Sometimes, people can see food allergies as something akin to food preferences. That any reaction can’t be that bad and that some foods are just worth it. But this downplays their condition. Even if it isn’t a life-threatening allergy (which it can be), it still takes a mental and physical toll on a person.

Instead, be more empathetic. Ask them how their allergy affects them. Hearing the struggle they go through will give you some perspective and show you that, yes, it really is that bad.

“Can’t you just eat something normal?”

Questions like this often get asked when the topic of dining out comes up. Not every restaurant will put the effort in to accommodate people with food allergies, but that doesn’t matter, right? They can just have the regular spaghetti bolognese and be fine. But that’s not how it works. And they can’t simply eat the vegan option either.

This type of question is rude because there is no “normal”. A person with allergies has every right to feel comfortable no matter where they go. So, as an alternative, ask for their restaurant recommendations. Where do they like? After all, it’s probably easier for you to adjust than them.

“I could never stop eating that!”

Okay, thanks for the input. While you might find the idea of a hypothetical life free from bread or cheese to be ghastly, that’s their actual reality. They’re living it, and they’re probably not happy either. Especially if it’s a condition that came later in life so they know what they’re missing out on.

And they’ll have heard it all before. There’s nothing worse than hearing the same joke over and over. Instead, be supportive. Don’t say something like this and make an effort to match their dietary needs. Eat their food. Make them an allergy-free version they can eat. Something to show you care.

Most of all, never accuse someone with a food allergy of complaining. They’re a challenge to work around and make life harder than it needs to be. No one would do that on purpose. So be more empathetic to people with allergies in your life and ask yourself if there’s anything you could be doing to help them.

If you have allergy concerns of your own, don’t feel like you have to suffer in silence. Get in touch with us to talk to an allergy specialist who can help you diagnose any unknown conditions. Simply reach us on 02031 433 449 or register as a new patient here.

Does your child have an allergy? Here are your burning questions answered

4th January 2023

Does your child have an allergy? Here are your burning questions answered

Being a parent is already difficult enough. You’re probably already well aware of the trials and tribulations of raising a small human. They can be naughty. They get sad. And sometimes you look back fondly on the days when you had so much more time and freedom. But would you change that for the world? Of course not.

Raising your child or children is a privilege – one that can, unfortunately, come with some challenges. Such as food allergies. It adds another complication onto an already tough task. And we understand why that can cause plenty of anxiety for you. If you’re new to the world of allergies and don’t know what to do, let us help. Here are some common allergy questions parents have.

Why does your child have an allergy?

We’ll start with one of the more obvious ones. Why do they have an allergy? Where did it even come from? We’re sorry to say that this doesn’t have a simple answer. Whether they’re reacting to a specific food, something in their environment, or an animal, there’s no one explanation for it.

It can be something in their genetics, a response to their environment, their gut biome, or just plain old bad luck. The “where” doesn’t matter. What does is how you respond to it.

Will they have an allergy forever?

The good part is not every child has their allergies forever. Depending on what they’re allergic to, up to 80% of children can outgrow their condition. Note that this differs from allergy to allergy. The 80% is for milk and egg allergies. For something like peanuts, it’s more like 20%. And shellfish is more like only 5%.

It’s something you will have to monitor. Can you influence the likelihood of them growing out of it? While some theorise that exposure to an allergen early on can help, this is still dangerous to do. If your child has an allergy, talk to a doctor about it for your next steps.

How do I get others to take it seriously?

This is especially concerning for parents of children with food allergies. Ingestion of food they’re allergic to can lead to anaphylaxis, which is potentially fatal. This is incredibly scary, and completely understandable to want everyone else to take it seriously.

The good news is that we’re making strides in people’s perceptions of allergies. With the passing of legislation such as Natasha’s Law, things are getting better. But to combat this in your own life, the best option is to sit down and have an honest conversation. Let people in your life know what an allergy can lead to for your child, and how it will affect them. Be firm, make no compromises, and lay out a plan for how your child should be treated.

What about at school?

At school, this gets harder. They’re out of your hands for around 6 hours of the day, and you can’t change that environment. Again, be open with the school staff and talk to them about their allergy-related rules.

Your child won’t be the only one with an allergy. So, with any sense, the school should already have steps in place. Find out what these are, talk about how they will handle your child, and don’t rest until you feel as comfortable as you need to be.

Do you have any resources?

We’ve been writing articles for our blog for many years. So we’ve built up quite a collection of information you might find helpful. Here are some other blogs on the topic of child food allergies:

• Tips for parents of children with food allergies
• How to know if a restaurant takes food allergies seriously
• Tips for travelling abroad with food allergies
• Food allergies on Halloween and how to avoid them
• Sending your child with food allergies to school

If you still have questions after that, talk to an allergy specialist. They’ll be more than happy to put your mind at ease and give you the advice you need.

Talk to our team at Allergy Clinic London if you ever have any concerns. Our experts know what you’re going through and can offer the support you need at a time like this. To find out more, reach out to us on 02031 433 449.

Q&A: Four common questions about peanut allergies

8th May 2019

Q&A: Four common questions about peanut allergies

If you or any of your friends and family suffer from a peanut allergy, finding the right information is the best path to living safely. We’ve highlighted four frequently asked questions about peanut allergies so you’re better equipped to handle yours – or someone’s close to you.

Can you grow out of a peanut allergy?

Unfortunately, growing out of a peanut allergy is relatively uncommon. According to research, only 20% of children outgrow their allergy. A child is most likely to grow out of their allergy before the age of 10. After this, the probability becomes much lower. Scientists are still unsure why this happens, which has raised a lot of hope for future research.

Are peanut allergies always anaphylactic?

Contrary to popular belief, the answer is no. In fact, most peanut allergies are non-severe. Reactions also include non-lethal digestive problems and skin reactions. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put safety first at all times. Although only affecting extreme cases, anaphylaxis can be lethal and should be avoided at all costs.

Does peanut oil always cause a reaction for someone with a peanut allergy?

No. It depends on how the peanut oil is processed. Because they remove all allergenic proteins, refined oils are safe. On the other hand, crude oils are not safe and can still contain the proteins that cause someone with an allergy to react.

Am I missing out on nutritional value from not eating peanuts?

It’s true that peanuts are a great source of many vitamins and minerals including Vitamin C magnesium, niacin, and chromium. A peanut-restricted diet will not leave an adult or developing child deficient in these nutrients. If they eat a balanced and healthy diet, there are plenty of other foods that provide these nutrients.

If you or anyone close to you is experiencing signs of a peanut allergy, you should seek help right away. Minor reactions are still concerning as they can worsen over time. With proper diagnosis and care, your allergy doesn’t have to get in the way of your daily life.

For more guidance on how to keep your allergies in check, or to book an allergy test, feel free to call us on 02031 433 449.