My eyes are watering and won’t stop itching. What do I do?

6th October 2023

My eyes are watering and won’t stop itching. What do I do?

Do you find yourself constantly battling itchy, watery eyes or dealing with a nose that seems determined to run a marathon? Perhaps an unexplained rash is driving you to distraction with relentless itching. These discomforts are familiar to many of us, but when they persist, they might be a sign that you’re having an allergic reaction.

Allergies can show up in various ways, and while they can range from minor inconveniences to serious health concerns, they often share common symptoms, such as sneezing, hives, skin redness, swelling, stomach discomfort, or even respiratory issues.

You might think allergies are all about sudden, life-threatening reactions like anaphylactic shock, but there’s more to the story. There are four distinct types of allergic reactions, each with unique characteristics. Let’s explore them together.

Immediate allergic reactions (Type I)

These reactions are like a lightning bolt, happening within seconds to minutes. Anaphylactic reactions are the most severe and can cause life-threatening issues like difficulty breathing and severe swelling. They’re triggered by antibodies in response to allergens like pollen or certain foods.

Cytotoxic reactions (Type II)

Type II reactions take a bit more time, usually minutes to hours. Here, antibodies trigger the immune system’s complement system, potentially leading to autoimmune hemolytic anaemia, immune thrombocytopenia, and autoimmune neutropenia. These reactions are linked to diseases like Goodpasture syndrome and Graves’ disease, adding intrigue to the allergy narrative.

Immune complex-mediated reactions (Type III)

These reactions don’t rush in; they take several hours to show their effects. Antibodies collaborate with allergens to create immunocomplexes, which can contribute to autoimmune conditions like lupus and serum sickness. The complex dance of these antibodies adds depth to our understanding of allergies.

Delayed hypersensitivity reactions (Type IV)

Type IV reactions are patient and can appear hours or even days after exposure. They’re often linked to persistent infections, such as tuberculosis or fungal infections, creating an intricate interplay between the immune system and these pesky invaders.

What should you do if you suspect you have an allergy?

Unchecked symptoms can lead to discomfort and potential complications regardless of the type. For immediate and severe reactions, call 999 and seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms like severe rashes, swelling of the lips or throat, difficulty breathing, or fainting.

For milder allergies, it’s time to take action. Testing can help identify your triggers, allowing you to manage your allergies and regain control over your well-being proactively. Don’t let allergies hold you back; take the first step towards a more comfortable and allergy-aware life.

Take the guesswork out of living a comfortable life. Let’s take the first steps to discover what’s bringing you discomfort. Our allergy experts can guide you through the process, from testing to advice. Simply register as a new patient or call us on 02031 433 449.

3 allergy pet peeves – and what you can do about them

15th February 2023

3 allergy pet peeves – and what you can do about them

Allergies are already annoying enough, right? At their worst, they’re life-threatening. And even at their best, they can ruin your day, leaving you with constantly itchy eyes, a runny nose, or a scratchy throat. Your whole life has to adapt around them. To make matters worse, we all have those allergy pet peeves that make them that much harder.

It’s usually people around us who do them too. People not taking your condition seriously. People acting dumb when you tell them for the hundredth time that no, you can’t have gluten. They can really grind your gears. But we can’t help what other people do. We can only change what we do.

So here are three allergy pet peeve examples – and what you can do about them.

Hidden allergens in food and drink

Does this sound familiar: you go to a lovely restaurant and peruse the menu. Each dish has its ingredients listed underneath and they all sound amazing. You choose one that, based on what it says, you know you can eat. Then it arrives and – surprise – it actually has dairy in it. Or nuts. Or gluten. Despite not mentioning that.

With new legislation coming in all the time, this should become a thing of the past. But it doesn’t stop every instance of it happening. Then there are also those cases where it does list the ingredients, but not what those ingredients are actually made from. Like pesto, which is made with pine nuts. If you didn’t know, what could you do?

Our best advice is to get good at asking questions. You can learn a lot about how seriously a restaurant takes allergies by seeing how they respond. If your server is unsure – and definitely if the manager is unsure – then you know that they might not be the most trustworthy. Do this ahead of time to save yourself the effort and pick somewhere better.

People don’t take you seriously

What’s potentially worse than that situation? When your own family does it for you. It can be more dangerous, too. Your aunt isn’t going to have a menu with ingredients on it. And no matter how many times you tell her you can’t eat something with egg in it, she uses it anyway. After all, what’s the worst that can happen?

Or so she says. Yes, having people not take you seriously can have devastating consequences. Though, thankfully, public discourse on allergies is changing slowly.

What can you do in the meantime? All you can do is educate others and make sure you’re prepared. If you’re going to someone else’s for food, bring your own dish. And if the host feels insulted, calmly explain that this is for your own safety and not a reflection of their efforts. If they don’t accept that, it’s on them. What’s important is that you look out for your own health.

Constant symptoms

This one isn’t related to other people. It’s about your own body. Anyone with hay fever will know the feeling. You can’t enjoy a nice summer’s day because your eyes are constantly itching and your nose is bunged up, with no sign of relief. This can happen to anyone with environmental allergies, be it a reaction to dust, dander, or pollen.

Your best bet is to be proactive. Do what you can to prevent symptoms in the first place. In summer, get into a routine of taking antihistamines. Make sure you clean your house thoroughly and often. You’ll probably find yourself cleaning more than your friends and family, but that’s good if it stops you from suffering all day, every day.

Should we have to deal with these allergy pet peeves? No, but this is our lot in life, unfortunately. All we can do is react, be proactive, and stand up for ourselves. Whatever we can to ensure we’re safe, happy, and healthy. And if everyone else has a problem with that, well, that can be their pet peeve too.

Don’t let allergies bring you down. Ensure you have all the know-how you need to fight back and show them they don’t own you. To talk to one of our allergy specialists and receive helpful advice for your condition, register as a new patient or call us on 02031 433 449.

Can an allergy suddenly disappear? Or is there a different explanation?

19th October 2022

Can an allergy suddenly disappear? Or is there a different explanation?

Last week, we talked about the possibility of developing a new allergy as an adult. It can happen, such is life. But what about the opposite? Can you lose an allergy in your adult years? And it turns out you can… kind of.

It’s not crystal clear how or why it happens, but people can and do grow out of allergies. For some, it’s not unusual to see a childhood allergy disappear over the years. But for others, it can seemingly happen overnight at any time. Is there any truth to this? Or are there other factors at play? Let’s take a look.

Something’s changed

Somebody suddenly feeling less affected by their hay fever isn’t out of the question. Maybe one summer feels so much better than the last. While it might seem like the hay fever has gone, there might be a simpler explanation.

Has anything changed between the two allergy attacks? In the case of hay fever, we’re usually only affected by certain types of pollen: tree, grass, or weed pollen. And these flair up at different times of year. If you’ve moved, for example, you might have gone where a particular type of pollen is lower. Or, if you’re by the coast, the ocean breeze might be blowing it away.

It could also be due to the weather. Rain will reduce the pollen in the air. So if it’s a particularly rainy year, there might be less pollen to aggravate you. None of this means your hay fever has disappeared. This works for multiple allergies. Allergic to cats but you’ve found one that doesn’t set you off? You might still have the allergy, but this particular breed has less dander.

Your tolerance has changed

One theory is that you can “grow accustomed” to certain allergy triggers, thus reducing its effects. This is usually applied to food allergies, such as nuts. It’s possibly part of why children tend to outgrow their allergies. Some studies have shown that about 20% of children with a nut allergy go on to outgrow it.

This is a risky theory to test, though. It’s not advisable to purposely expose yourself to an allergen. In fact, it’s downright dangerous considering the potential lethality of exposure. And that’s before we come back to the idea that allergies can emerge as quickly as they seem to disappear.

So while allergies aren’t guaranteed to be a lifelong condition, they also don’t fade quite as much in adulthood as you’d expect. Any allergies that seem to get better might be explained better by other external factors first. If you ever have any concerns or updates about your allergies, a professional allergist should be your first port of call.

To find out more about your allergies, get in touch with us today. Our team of specialists is on hand to help. Simply call on 02031 433 449 or register as a new patient here.

What you need to know about adult onset allergies

12th October 2022

What you need to know about adult onset allergies

Can you imagine waking up one morning and discovering you have an allergy you never had before? You went to sleep being a-okay with peanuts and the next day they set you off in a rash. It sounds bizarre, but it’s very real. Adult onset allergies can affect anyone at any time. According to some studies, 50% of people with food allergies developed them in adulthood.

And scientists aren’t exactly sure why it happens. It could be genetics, a lack of exposure, or simply that you had the allergy all along, but were never exposed to it. Whatever the reason, if you’ve found yourself suddenly dealing with a strange new allergy, here’s everything you need to know.

Symptoms of adult onset allergies

The symptoms of your new allergy won’t be anything special. And what symptoms you experience will depend on what is triggering you. This may help you narrow down the cause, if you aren’t sure what it is. Here are some likely ones you might have:

• Runny nose – this is likely an airborne allergen, such as pollen, dust, or pet dander.
• Itchy eyes – similar to the above, but it could also be something you put near your eyes, such as soap or a cream.
• Rash – this is from something making contact with your skin. Potential culprits include any soaps or shower gels, or something like your detergent.
• Tongue/lip swelling – this is likely something you’ve eaten, especially if combined with breathing difficulties. It could also be medicine or even an insect sting.

If you notice eating something now gives you an upset stomach, this probably isn’t an allergy, but an intolerance. You may find you develop lactose intolerance or something like a wheat intolerance as you get older. These responses will likely be digestive.

Learning to live with your new allergy

It might be a shock to the system and a massive inconvenience. But if you have a new allergy, you will have to change some aspects of your life. If a certain food is now affecting you negatively, stop eating it. Don’t make matters worse. Food allergies can lead to anaphylaxis, which can be fatal.

If you notice a reaction start after moving to a new product – such as in the case of a soap or detergent – then stop using it for now. At least until you get to the bottom of it. If you think your allergies are coming from particles such as pollen or dust, you’re going to have to clean your home more. Any lingering particles will just aggravate your symptoms.

When to get help

The right time to get professional help is immediately. While some adult onset allergies will just be an inconvenience, some may be deadly. And even if they are just annoying, finding out exactly what’s bothering you is the first step to living a full and free life.

You might want to start with your GP. They’ll be able to point you in the right direction. Their recommendation – or that of any specialist you’re referred to – will probably be an allergy test. This will get to the bottom of what’s triggering you. Then they can give you advice to keep your allergies at bay.

Adult onset allergies are just a fact of life, like growing old. But they don’t need to be a death sentence. Get yourself checked out and make the changes right for you!

If you ever need any professional advice from an allergy specialist, you can call our team on 02031 433 449. And if you’re certain about what you want to do next, you can always register as a patient with us here. We’re always happy to help.

The foods that may make your hay fever worse

30th June 2021

The foods that may make your hay fever worse

Our diet affects almost everything. We all know how it can help or hurt our physical health, but did you know it could also worsen or alleviate hay fever symptoms? That’s because some foods contain higher levels of histamine, the chemical our body releases in response to our allergies. They give us all those uncomfortable symptoms that drive us mad. 

To stop your symptoms from getting worse, it’s best to avoid high histamine foods. Here are four common culprits that might not be helping you during this hay fever season.

Dairy

Dairy products can be taxing on our immune systems. And when they’re weak, it can cause an overreaction to pollen and make existing symptoms worse. To fight hay fever, it’s important to have as strong an immune system as possible. This is possibly why vitamin C helps combat symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

Coffee

It may be time to replace your morning coffee with decaf. Caffeine is naturally high in histamines, which can worsen hay fever symptoms. Excess caffeine may even cause liver congestion, making it even worse still, as well as causing other problems. 

Alcohol

Nothing sounds better than sitting in the garden with a beer or a glass of wine on a warm, sunny evening. But sadly, beer, wine, and liquor all contain histamines that are produced during the fermentation process. Alcohol also suppresses the immune system. So, similar to dairy, anything that weakens this will make symptoms more of a chore.

Nuts

While nuts may seem like the perfect snack, they’re packed full of histamines too. So it may be best to lay off cashews, pistachios, walnuts, and almonds until your symptoms become more manageable. Nuts like hazelnuts, pecans, and macadamia nuts are less likely to trigger symptoms as they contain lower levels of histamine. 

While no food will ever cure your hay fever, avoiding certain foods may help prevent your symptoms from getting worse. Always check with your doctor or allergist before making any lifestyle changes. 

Is hay fever getting you down? Get in contact with the London Allergy and Immunology Centre today. Our team of experts can help you manage your allergies and help you regain control of your life. Call us now on 02031 433 449.

Four common questions about dust mite allergies

30th December 2020

Four common questions about dust mite allergies

Did you know it’s not actually the dust mites that get our noses all stuffy and our eyes all teary? It’s actually their droppings. Dust mites are inescapable and one of the most common causes of allergies, but that doesn’t make the symptoms less irritating.

Here are the answers to four of the most common questions about dust mite allergies, along with some tips to control your symptoms.

What is a dust mite allergy?

As mentioned, we aren’t actually allergic to dust mites, rather their droppings. When we inhale the proteins in the droppings or they touch the skin, our body produces histamine, giving you those irritating allergy symptoms. 

Symptoms of a dust mite allergy include a blocked or runny nose, sneezing, coughing, itching, wheezing, and loss of smell. Those with asthma might find dust mites aggravate their condition.

How can I control my symptoms?

Dust mites live in everyone’s home and are impossible to escape completely. But you can try to relieve your symptoms by making your house harder for them to live in. It’s suggested that little things like keeping the humidity low, regularly washing sheets, and dusting surfaces with a damp cloth can help relieve symptoms. 

A doctor may prescribe antihistamines to help control your symptoms. In worse cases, they may prescribe you corticosteroids, in the form of a nasal spray, to reduce inflammation. While a dust mite allergy rarely causes reactions as severe as anaphylaxis, the symptoms are still unpleasant and can leave you feeling out of control.

Is there a certain time of year that makes symptoms worse?

Unfortunately, symptoms of dust mite allergies last all year round, but allergen levels are at their peak between May and October, the peak breeding season for dust mites. But since we like to crank up the heat in the colder months, all the allergen-containing dust can come out from behind our radiators and from inside heaters and really aggravate symptoms.

A dust mite allergy can be frustrating, but is rarely deadly. To be certain your symptoms are that of a dust mite allergy, you should book yourself in for an allergy test. An allergist can get you results, put your mind at ease, and advise you on treatment and minimising your symptoms.

Our team of professionals at Allergy Clinic London are here to help if you need an allergy test or just some expert advice on how to handle your allergies. Get in touch now on 02031 433 449.

Three reasons you should get tested for allergies

25th November 2020

Three reasons you should get tested for allergies

Allergies. If you’re one of the 20% in the UK who has one, you’ll know how much of a pain they can be. That’s one in five people who have to watch what they eat, or keep the windows closed in summer to avoid pollen. In some cases, they’re the ones who have to worry about whether or not their allergy will be what ends their life.

Here are some of the most common allergies people have to cope with:

• Pollen allergy (hay fever)
• Animals
• Food
• Medicines
• Mould
• Insects

But the good thing about knowing you have an allergy is you can do your best to avoid it. So if you’re sitting there and think you might be allergic to one of the above, it might be in your best interest to get that tested. Let’s go through some reasons you might want to go down that path.

Age

Allergies aren’t always something you develop in childhood. In fact, they can happen at any age. You might go through life without reacting to peanuts, but one day you might find they cause a reaction.

This means if you are experiencing a new sensation you haven’t felt before, don’t just write off allergies because you’ve never had them before. It’s always a possibility.

Consider the risks

Allergies can be life-threatening. And for an unfortunate few, they have been life ending. You can’t take them for granted.

Not every condition will cause anaphylaxis – a fatal reaction seen in many food-allergy sufferers. But a new respiratory allergy could cause breathing difficulties, which are also dangerous. With the coronavirus causing similar symptoms, you can’t take the risk.

Knowing your reactions

Something that can complicate matters is that reactions can sometimes be delayed. Allergic contact dermatitis, for example, can happen days after you come into contact with the allergen.

So you might not connect the symptoms with the cause if they happen far apart. It makes self-diagnosis difficult.

That’s why you should always seek out advice from your GP or an allergy specialist. They will know how to go about diagnosing your potential allergy. In the end, it might turn out to be nothing. But if it is something, you can prepare for it and work your way around it. An allergy doesn’t mean your life gets more complicated. If anything, a diagnosis will make things much easier.

If you want expert advice about your allergy concerns, feel free to reach out to our team of allergy professionals. We can help you live your best, healthiest life. Just get in touch on 02031 433 449.

Everyday items that could be causing allergy symptoms

4th May 2018

Everyday items that could be causing allergy symptoms

Experiencing skin irritation, rashes, watery eyes, and a runny nose is annoying. But what is even more annoying is experiencing these allergy symptoms and not knowing why. Is it an allergy? If so, what are you allergic to? Is your detergent a bit too strong for your skin? Are you developing hay fever? You just don’t know. Luckily, allergy tests are available to identify the cause of your symptoms. If you haven’t gotten around to being tested yet, here are some everyday items that you may never have suspected could cause allergy-like symptoms in you or your child.

Your phone and electronics

This isn’t just our way of telling you to stop spending so much time on your phone. Some handsets and other electronics contain metals like nickel and cobalt which cause skin irritation at the point of contact. Allergic Living found a surge in the number of reported nickel sensitivities/allergies. Not helpful as we succumb further to the digital age.

Jewellery and accessories

Similarly to the above, a lot of jewellery and accessories contain metals that cause skin irritation or rashes. Nickel, for example, is found in glasses, belts, earrings, coins, keys, and underwire in bras. If you’re experiencing skin irritation on your body as it comes into contact with a suspicious metal, it is worth finding out if this could be caused by contact with a metal that you’re sensitive to.

Clothing

It may be unusual for a person to be allergic to clothes fibres but sometimes it does happen. People have been known to be allergic to lanolin, a fatty substance found on sheep’s wool. But, more commonly, people are allergic or sensitive to finishing resins, dyes, glues, and chemicals found in clothing, bags, and shoes. This can cause skin irritation.

Latex

Latex allergies are not unheard of, but sometimes you may not realise which household products contain latex and can trigger a reaction. These include children’s toys, balloons, rubber bands, shoe soles, gloves, paint, bandages, condoms, baby bottles, raincoats, sports equipment, and buttons. That’s a lot to look out for, but it may be necessary if you think you have a latex allergy.

Alcohol

Sulphites in wine have been known to trigger asthma symptoms in people with asthma. Also when coming into contact with alcohol, some people experience rhinitis, sneezing, and coughing.

Trees

It is no secret that pollen from trees causes hay fever and nuts from them can cause severe allergic reactions. But you can also be allergic to sap from trees such as Pine. Usually, you have to touch the sap to experience the allergy symptoms or irritation. But, for example, if you burn a lot of pine at once, allergens can also travel through the air.

Not all of these allergy symptoms will be a result of having a true allergy to these common items. Nor is a complete list, missing off things like cosmetics. Sometimes, irritation can occur if you are sensitive to a substance, without going through the physical process of having an allergic reaction. But, symptoms of sensitivity may mimic those of an allergic reaction.

To be on the safe side, you can book an allergy test with one of our consultants. We offer a range of simple, accurate allergy tests that test you for over 100 allergies at once so that you can have peace of mind when it comes to your health.

EXPOSED: Minimise your allergy symptoms with the help of SLIT

8th January 2018

EXPOSED: Minimise your allergy symptoms with the help of SLIT

There are no two ways about it: allergies are not fun. Between a constant runny nose and crippling sneezing fits, with the addition of blotchy and itchy skin, these pesky reactions can be a nuisance. Fear not! There are a variety of solutions available to help you. Sublingual immunotherapy is a popular non-invasive solution.

Sublingual immunotherapy or desensitisation – otherwise known as SLIT – is a treatment that teaches the body not to react to allergens, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), or allergic asthma.

SLIT is a process that works by administration of the allergen under the tongue over a period of time. Doing so allows your immune system to change and “reconsider” the way it reacts to the allergen. Over time, when exposed to the same allergens, you experience reduced symptoms (if any at all).

An allergy consultant will make the initial diagnosis. This is usually done with an IgE test (blood test) or skin prick allergy test. This can ultimately determine what the patient is allergic to. Once established, sublingual immunotherapy can be considered if there are no contraindications. The process requires holding either a drop underneath your tongue that can be spat out. Alternatively, it can come in the form of a spray. Either form is a small extract of the allergen in question.

Further information

Studies suggest that the time it takes to be effective can depend entirely on the type of allergy. Saying that, it typically ranges between four and six months. The effect of treatment will last for more than five years if three years of treatment are completed. One trial’s results showed that if the treatment is stopped after only two years the effect varnishes the following year.

For perennial allergens (pet or dust mite allergy) the treatment needs to be continued for three years. While for hayfever desensitisation, it can either be non-stop or for 6 months per year. The latter is cheaper and starts four months before the pollen season.

Clinical trials show that SLIT is a safe solution and extremely effective for treating allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma. However, very infrequently it causes local side effects that almost always completely stop when the treatment starts to work (about two weeks), in the form tingling or slight swelling under the tongue that usually goes away. There were only a few cases in the world of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) that mostly occurred when contraindications criteria were not met. While this is known to be extremely rare, it’s crucial the first dose of treatment is administered by the doctor in the centre before it can be administered by yourself.

Our consultants will be more than happy to discuss the treatment options available to help you improve the quality of life. Click here to book an appointment today to see if sublingual immunotherapy will benefit you.