Allergies are common and they are increasing. Not to be confused with an ‘intolerance’ which is a reaction causing unpleasant symptoms, an allergy causes the body’s immune system to react strongly, sometimes in a life-threatening way, when exposed to a normally harmless substance—nut allergies are a well known example, as is pollen for hay fever sufferers.
Allergy theories
Why allergies are increasing is a reason for ongoing and, as yet, inconclusive research. Scientists believe it is likely there are a number of different causes, including environmental changes, changes to the bacteria within our bodies, and even our modern higher degree of hygiene has been suggested—in the home environment, for example, where babies and infants are raised—this theory proposes that it is our improved hygiene standards that have actually reduced our exposure to both good and bad germs, germs which in turn can help strengthen the immune system, the body’s mechanism for keeping us healthy. However, with this theory comes a warning not to reduce hygiene levels in the home in an effort to reduce the risk of developing an allergy.
Clinical trials
Amongst children, food allergies are increasing, with nut allergies being the most common. There has been some intensive work by scientists to solve the nut allergy problem in clinical trials, and with some remarkable success. In 2014 a team from Cambridge announced that a breakthrough treatment for nut allergies had been discovered when the research project resulted in a majority of youngsters allergic to peanuts being able to eat them without showing ill effects. Researchers at the Wellcome Trust Clinical research facility at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, gave 99 children aged between seven and 16 a sample of peanut protein in powder form. They increased the dosage over six months until the youngsters were able to eat a whole nut without any adverse reactions. 84 percent of patients could eat as many as five peanuts a day and more than 50 percent managed 10 peanuts. The results were published in the medical journal, The Lancet.
See also: Allergy Awareness
Prevention
So is it possible to reduce the chance of our children developing a food allergy?
The official NHS response is: ‘It is thought that introducing foods that can cause an allergy (allergens) such as peanuts, milk and egg, during weaning and alongside continued breastfeeding, can reduce the number of children developing allergic disease in later childhood. However, this is only a theory and there are currently a number of studies ongoing around the world that aim to answer this very important question.’
Causes
In addition to peanuts, there’s a long list of substances that can cause allergies in many people:
• animal dander (tiny flakes of skin or hair)
• dust mites
• food – particularly nuts, fruit, shellfish, eggs and cow’s milk
• grass and tree pollen – the allergy to these is well-known as hay fever (allergic rhinitis), and affects as much as 20 percent of the UK population
• household chemicals – including those in detergents and hair dyes
• insect bites and stings
• latex – used to make some gloves and condoms
• medication – including ibuprofen, aspirin, and certain antibiotics
• mould – fungal growth that can release small particles into the air you breathe
Allergy tests
If you or your child suffers an allergic reaction but you don’t know the cause, you should see your GP to arrange an allergy test, and there are several different tests available that will result in an accurate diagnosis of the cause.
The Skin Prick Test is used mainly to investigate allergies to:
• airborne allergens
• certain foods
• certain medications
• insect venoms
The test involves putting a drop of liquid allergen onto your forearm, followed by a gentle pinprick through the drop. If you’re allergic to the substance, an itchy, red bump will appear within about 15 minutes.
Skin prick testing is very safe and can be performed in people of all ages. If you’re already taking antihistamines these may interfere with the results, so you would need to stop taking them for several days before the test.
Help and allergy management
If you suffer from an allergy and are unsure of the cause or the best form of treatment, Dr Chris repeats the advice given above by saying your first choice should be to explain your symptoms to your GP. Advice is also available from Allergy UK.
This year Allergy UK is sending out its experts nationwide in an innovative series of ‘Meet the Experts’ events where experts will deliver allergy advice and information at a venue near you. The events will take place throughout the year and into 2017, with each event specialising in a different allergic condition. Allergy UK says: ‘These are excellent opportunities to meet with a healthcare professional, and learn more about how to manage living with allergy.’
Here are the dates and locations:
• Edinburgh, April 12, 2016 – ‘Hay Fever (Allergic Rhinitis)’
• London, July 9, 2016 – ‘Allergy and Intolerance’
• Exeter, September 14, 2016 – ‘Eczema and Food Allergy’.
• Manchester, November 16, 2016 – ‘Asthma, including Indoor Allergy’
• Belfast, March 1, 2017 – ‘Food Allergy in Babies and Children’
(For more information visit allergyuk.org)
