A food allergy is when the body reacts to specific foods. The body’s immune system mounts a response to the specific foods, and this is shown with the symptoms of an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions can often be quite mild but, on occasion, can be very serious and should be investigated to ensure clarity and appropriate guidance.
An aeroallergen is any type of airborne substance which causes an allergic reaction. Common types of these allergens are grass, tree and weed pollens, mould spores, animal dander, and house dust mites.
These are often associated with symptoms of hay fever, runny noses, and sore eyes. They can also exacerbate other atopic conditions, such as asthma and eczema.
Testing for aeroallergen allergies can be achieved in a similar way to food allergies, with skin prick testing and blood tests being able to help with the identification of certain triggers. Your allergy consultant can then advise the best course of management to minimise the impact of these allergies on your daily life.
Allergen immunotherapy is the only curative measure available for management of aeroallergen symptoms and is available for pollens, dust mites, and animals. An immunotherapy service is provided at Cromwell Hospital, with one-to-one nursing care supporting administration of all immunotherapy.
Eczema, otherwise known as atopic eczema or atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition that causes patches of skin that are itchy, cracked and sore.
Although not always associated with allergy, it can commonly be exacerbated by food or aeroallergens. Identifying these can help with ongoing management of the condition.
Asthma is a common lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties with symptoms of shortness of breath and wheezing. Sometimes, this can also be triggered or exacerbated by allergen exposure.
Gaining a proper assessment of all atopic diseases is vital for identifying triggering factors, whether these be aeroallergens or foods so that these can be avoided to improve health outcomes. Please contact our Allergy Services for further information, to speak to our Allergy Nurse Specialist, or to arrange an appointment with one of our specialist consultants or dietitians.
Skin prick tests are used to measure levels of IgE antibodies to specific foods.
These tests can be carried out on infants and children. The results are available after approximately 15 minutes, although these need to be interpreted by an allergy specialist.
Blood tests measure levels of IgE antibodies in the blood.
These can sometimes be used separately from skin prick testing (SPT) but also sometimes alongside SPT to assist with diagnosis. Advances in blood testing have allowed, in some instances, to target very specific proteins to give an even clearer diagnostic picture.
Oral food challenge is the ‘gold standard’ test for food allergies. Often, a good clinical history and positive skin +/- blood test results will provide a clear diagnosis. Sometimes, this diagnosis is still not certain.
At Cromwell Hospital, we run oral food challenges where your child is introduced to the suspected food item in increasing incremental portions and observed very closely for signs and symptoms of a reaction. Portion sizes often start at incredibly small doses, growing to what would be equivalent to a standard portion. Children who pass these challenges are then able to safely reintroduce these foods into their diets.
Clinical interests: -All aspect of general paediatrics including respiratory problems such as asthma and chronic cough, gastrointestinal problems including babies with feeding difficulties, reflux, cow’s milk allergy, abdominal pain and constipation and all acute infections. Special interest in paediatric allergies. -Paediatric allergy skin prick test -Baby checks and immunisations.
Languages spoken: Arabic/English
Dr Helen Cox
/ Consultant Paediatric Allergy Specialist
Allergy, Paediatric immunology, infectious diseases & allergy
Clinical interests: Food allergy, role of food allergy in eczema, asthma, hayfever
Languages spoken: English
Clinical interests: Food allergy, anaphylaxis, hay fever, asthma, venom allergy, drug allergy, skin prick testing, allergy patch testing, provocation testing, molecular diagnosis, allergen immunotherapy, and tailored management plans for complex food allergies.
Languages spoken: English
Dr Michael Markiewicz
/ Consultant Paediatrician
Paediatrics, Paediatric respiratory medicine, Paediatric rheumatology
Clinical interests: Any general paediatric problem including children with rheumatological disorders, asthma and complex allergies
Languages spoken: English/German/Hebrew
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