If you had an allergic reaction would anyone be able to find your medication easily? Where do you carry your adrenaline autoinjector? Two very important questions. Over the years I’ve stored mine in various receptacles such as a cigar case, pencil tin, glasses case, Ted Baker make-up bag etc. but all have fallen apart prematurely from being carried around everywhere. Whilst … [Read more...]
Surviving Christmas with allergies
Christmas can be hard work for people living with allergies. All the food shopping, parties, gifts you might be allergic to and all the festive traditions that you might miss out on. You probably won't be able to eat the mince pies, chocolate money and chocolate treats on the tree, Christmas pudding, Christmas cake, brandy butter, bread sauce... the list goes on. But you CAN … [Read more...]
Please use your EpiPen and be prepared
Do you carry an EpiPen in your bag with you at all times? Do you make sure you always have two EpiPens in case you suffer a secondary attack? Do you check the expiry dates on them to make sure they are within date? Do you know how to recognise the symptoms of an anaphylactic attack? Do you know how to administer your EpiPen? and do you tell your friends and family how to do … [Read more...]
Will Brett be cured of his milk allergy?
Desensitisation treatment has begun to appear here in the UK but it is still something only available to a handful of lucky people. In one of my previous blogs (to read it click here) we heard how kids have been cured of their peanut allergies at Addenbrooks hospital in Cambridge. Brett Nasuti, an eleven year old boy from America, has undergone six months of treatment for … [Read more...]
How to ace your Food allergy Skin prick tests
If you have food, environmental or contact allergies, skin prick tests are one way of diagnosing what might be the culprit. They're really quick and easy to perform but some people are are put off by the needle. Trust me, it's not painful, but I know why some people get nervous. What is an allergy skin prick test? Tiny bits of allergens will be tested on your lower … [Read more...]