How to live with anaphylaxis

5th October 2022

How to live with anaphylaxis

Last month, the British Society for Allergy & Clinical Immunology called for additional funding for the Fatal Anaphylaxis Registry. This registry is a vital lifeline living with anaphylaxis. Their data analysis helps to identify patterns in anaphylactic attacks so that we can better understand how it plays into our everyday lives.

And it’s easy to see why it’s needed. Anaphylaxis causes swelling in the throat, breathing difficulties, fainting spells, and potentially death. It’s taken many lives in some avoidable circumstances. If you’re here because you’ve recently learned it’s a risk for you or a loved one, this blog is for you. Let’s look at how to live with anaphylaxis.

Learning your triggers

The first step is knowing what you’re up against. If you’ve recently discovered something that sends you into anaphylactic shock, there might be more triggers that can cause it. Common ones include various foods (such as nuts, milk, or shellfish), certain medicines and drugs, insect stings, and even latex.

Talk to your doctor about an allergy test. Either through a skin prick test or a blood sample, they’ll find everything you’re allergic to.

Avoiding your triggers

When you have those results, you need to learn how to avoid them throughout your life. This will be a tough road, but something you have to do. Let’s focus on controlling what’s in your home first.

You’ll have to become skilled in reading food labels. With your results, you’ll know what ingredients to look out for. Your weekly food shop will likely become much longer as you interrogate every label, but over time, you’ll learn the products that work for you. 

If you’re allergic to a certain medicine, simply stay away from it. Or if you’re allergic to insect stings, keep your windows closed in summer and be careful in the garden. Consider insect repellent to keep them away. And if you do come close to something like a bee or wasp, stay calm and walk away slowly.

What to do when you’re out and about

Those tips are all well and good for your home. But when you head out, you have far less control over your environment. You’ll likely find that eating out is a particular headache. Always let wait staff know about your potential allergies. Many locations ask you about them as you sit down, so build up a list of locations where you know they take those extra precautions.

You might also struggle around your workplace. In this scenario, being open and honest with your manager or boss is your best course of action. They can be your support around the office, and put any steps in place to avoid you coming into contact with your triggers. Prepare for a long transition period as people learn to cooperate; some might not be as willing as others!

If you’re at risk of anaphylaxis, it isn’t going to be easy. And you’ll likely find your EpiPen is as vital as your keys when you leave the house. But there’s no reason you can’t still live a full life. Take the steps to keep yourself safe – and alive.

Are you worried about your anaphylaxis? Our allergists are here to help. With our years of expertise, you can trust us to be a source of knowledge and a friendly ear to talk to. You can register as a patient with us, or simply call us on 02031 433 449.

Four innocent things that might be triggering your allergies

9th September 2020

Four innocent things that might be triggering your allergies

There are some very strange allergies that exist in the world. You can be allergic to exercise, water, and sunlight. Or you could be allergic to cockroaches, mobile phones, and allergy medicine. And even more bizarrely, you could be allergic to touch, vibrations, or your own child.

The list of allergies never ends. But something you might not consider is what strange things might be triggering your run-of-the-mill allergies. Let’s look at some of the places that might be harbouring allergens.

Second-hand items

You think you’ve found a good deal. A cheap sofa or some vintage clothes that you’ve found on a second-hand marketplace that are right up your street. It’s too good to turn down, right?

But you should be careful of items when you don’t know their history. Old furniture and clothes can hold on to dust or mould, potentially triggering your allergies. This goes double for any non-washable fabrics that might not be well-maintained. At its worst, these can even trigger asthma attacks, so be careful.

Books

There’s nothing better than a bookshelf full of great literature. But it’s a similar story to the one above – you never know what they might be harbouring.

As with anything on your shelf, books can quickly build up a layer of dust that can cause problems down the line. It happens wherever dust accumulates: attics, basements, sheds, and even your shelves. This can be solved with a diligent cleaning routine to stop the dust build-up.

Toys

We’re specifically talking about cuddly toys. Because of the plush material these toys are made of, they can be a perfect home for dust mites. An allergic reaction to this can cause a runny nose, coughing, and even an asthma attack.

If you want to protect your child, then don’t worry. Just make sure to buy toys that are machine-washable so you can clean them regularly.

Teabags

Sometimes, people can react to the strong aromas of certain teas. This is simply an irritation, not a true allergy. But plant-based teas could cause an actual allergic reaction.

It isn’t unknown for something like chamomile tea to cause an allergic reaction because it’s so similar to ragweed. This “cross-reaction” is because the proteins in the two are so similar. People with hay fever could have the usual symptoms of a runny nose and itchy eyes because of the tea.

So there are four things that could be hiding allergens. It’s nothing to fear – it just means you can now pay attention and solve any unsolved allergy attacks. If you ever have questions about your allergies, make sure to get in touch with an expert allergist.

If you want an allergy specialist to talk to, our team is more than qualified to answer your every question. Get in touch on 02031 433 449.