2% of the UK population have a diagnosed allergy and many of those will be carrying an adrenalin auto-injector. We trust them, we know these little devices save lives and they give us some security that we have instant access to the drugs that will hopefully reverse an anaphylactic reaction and give time for emergency services to arrive. But how many of the adrenaline … [Read more...]
TRACE peanut study – for adults with peanut allergies !
This week I went to the Royal Brompton Hospital in London for an initial consultation to assess my eligibility for the TRACE peanut study. The study aims to pinpoint the level of peanut protein small enough to cause no reaction in allergic people. The Food Standards Agency is hoping the study will help identify thresholds for testing so that foods can be sold as truly peanut … [Read more...]
Death by adrenaline auto-injector – are they safe?
People often ask me, are adrenaline injectors dangerous? "If I use one on my child and they weren't having a severe reaction, could it cause them any harm?" Is it safe to use an expired EpiPen, Jext of Emerade adrenaline injector?Could using two auto-injectors ever cause an overdose of adrenaline? Adrenaline is not dangerous, so if in doubt, inject! These are all … [Read more...]
First time your allergic teenager eats out without you – letting go, slowly
This is Alison's story, a mother to three children, the oldest of whom is 13 and a half, and is anaphylactically allergic to tree nuts, ground nuts, sesame and lupin. My eldest son was diagnosed when he was 36 months after a lot of reactions and finally quite a major one. When he was 4 and a half, he had full anaphylactic shock. Our family has led a very controlled … [Read more...]
Fear of using your adrenalin injector – don’t be scared!
In my recent Ruth's Allergy Diary slot I wrote about conquering the fear of injecting yourself or someone else with an adrenalin auto-injector. Have you been there? Or have you just not used yours because you were too terrified, despite having an anaphylactic reaction? If you too have ever felt completely overwhelmed and totally unprepared to use your injector - you are not … [Read more...]