December 13th 2014 marked a rather large milestone when looking at food allergies and anaphylaxis. A new legislation was introduced which primarily means that places serving food have to provide information about their food and any potential food allergens. This blog post shall be focusing on something which is a very difficult challenge when dealing with food allergies, and has been made slightly easier with the new legislation in place, eating out.
Eating out is something which is considered a treat in the majority of people's lives, however for someone with a food allergy it's often more hard work than it's worth so many people with food allergies avoid eating out however, this does not have to be the case. It is more difficult trying to find somewhere classified as "safe" when eating out but this does not mean that you have to avoid it altogether. Over time you learn where is good to eat and where you should probably avoid. I quickly learned that a simple meal out with food allergies is no simple task. After being diagnosed with a severe nut allergy places like: Chinese, Indian, Thai were completely off the menu as for the majority these food outlets use nut oil to cook their food in. Even places like McDonald's could potentially prove a risk due to their desserts. Here are some of my top tips when dealing with eating out and a food allergy.
1. Make sure to carry all medication
I think is this probably the most important advice I could give regarding this subject. It's one thing to find somewhere safe but it's another to be carrying medication. Even if you know somewhere is safe for you to eat you need to carry medication with you because the reality is you are better being safe than sorry. You do not want to end up in a situation where you need your medication but it is at home or in the car.
2. Check allergy advice
I have found that even though sometimes staff within food outlets can be clueless regarding allergies for the most part food places will have some sort of allergy advice. This may be online or in the form of a folder/booklet in the place itself. It's important to always check this advice even if you have eaten something before as eating places can change their suppliers or the way they cook something without warning and there might not be any outward sign of this so it is a really good idea to double check the ingredients. This can often seem like a very tedious task, particular when you are a young adult as you do not want to seem different. I often viewed it this way when I was first diagnosed with allergies however I soon came to realise that I would much rather prefer spending a few minutes checking allergy advice than having to go through calling 999 to a restaurant.
3. Make sure anyone you're eating out with is aware of your allergies
In case anything were to happen it is a good idea to prior warn those you are eating out with about your allergies. You do not have to go into massive detail about it as the idea is not to scare the other person/people but to bring awareness to them. This is particularly important if you struggle with contact allergies as it lets the other person/people know to avoid your allergen at all costs to help you to hopefully stop an allergic reaction occurring.
4. Ask for your meal to be made first
When out and about I always ask if my meal can be made before other people's. This is not because I feel I am a priority in receiving my food it is to try and avoid my allergens at all costs. I have found that eating places seem okay with this (for the most part this is in actual restaurants rather than fast food places).
5. Let your server know about your allergies
Explain to the waiting staff that you have allergies and what they are. This is another good step in helping stay away from any potential problems. Often the person will write it down and make the kitchen staff aware. I have also had occasions where they have had the chef come out and speak to me in order to try and make sure everything is clear and I am okay with what they are doing. This also makes the staff aware that washing their hands before preparing your food or cooking it away from everything else if possible may be a good idea.
6. Have medic alert jewellery
No one wants to be in a life threatening situation however this can be a serious life-saver if one unfortunately occurs. It can often do the speaking if you are unable to. Some medic alert warnings come with wallet cards where you can go into more detail about things such as your next of kin, address, date of birth, allergies and medication. This can seriously help medical staff when treating you as often allergic reactions can cause throat swelling and/or breathing issues which makes it difficult to talk. Even when others are with you it can be hard to rely on them to relay all the information to emergency staff as people panic and may not be able to remember everything.
Tuesday, 16 December 2014
Sunday, 9 November 2014
Moving out with allergies and anaphylaxis
For the older young person one of the new challenges faced is moving out of the comforts of home life to live independently. There is obviously no set age for this and it can be a much more challenging experience for young people with health problems to the extent they are scared to move out.
I don't have much experience of living away from home as it's a pretty new experience for me. At 20 years old, in September of this year, I took the decision to move into student accommodation that my University supplies. This was not a decision I made lightly and a lot of me still wanted to stay at home where my mum was close to hand and there if I needed her. However, it's been a really big learning curve for me and something I am grateful to have experienced.
So here are some tips regarding moving away from home, whether that be to student accommodation or to a flat of you're own, hopefully this will provide some help and reassurance.
1. If living in student accommodation try and move into self-catering
A lot of Universities will supply both catering and self-catering accommodation. Catering normally consists of where you get your breakfast and dinner provided for you whereas Self-catering gives you a lot more independence towards what you cook. My University doesn't provide the choice but even if it were to I would have chosen self-catering so I were to be 100% certain that my food doesn't contain my allergens.
2. Let your flat mates know about your allergies
As I said in my post concerning dating with allergies this can be a very difficult thing to do. You don't want to feel different from those surrounding you but it's something that really needs to be done. Particularly if you suffer from an airborne allergy or a contact allergy. I'll give an example of something that has occurred whilst I've been living in student accommodation. I suffer from anaphylaxis to peanuts and my allergy is also a contact allergy. I had been out of the flat staying at home for a few days and one of my flat mates thought it would be okay to eat some peanut butter. She must have accidentally left some peanut butter on the worktop she had used and I must have touched it. In turn I must have then have touched my face, mouth etc. Within two hours my body suffered an anaphylactic reaction to the peanut butter and I had to be taken to hospital. My flat mate felt extremely guilty and apologised to me about it. She did not realise that I could suffer a reaction even if I was not in the flat of at the time. It's very important your flat mates know the severity of your allergy and the major things to avoid. It is not to say they cannot eat the things you're allergic to however if they do to take some steps to ensure you will not come into contact with it. For example: wiping down worktops with something like dettol and disposing of the cloth used to wipe the surface, washing all cutlery used immediately after eating the product, storing the product away from anything you may come into contact with such as in their own cupboard etc. You could possibly write a list of your food allergies and stick it on a notice board in your kitchen so they can be reminded of things.
3. If possible ask for your own fridge
Universities have strict health and safety policies concerning extra furniture so you would most likely require permission for this before doing so. I got permission from my University to have my own small sized fridge in my bedroom in order to try limit any contact with other people's food that may cause an allergic reaction. This is definitely more important if you suffer from an allergy to something very common such as milk or peanuts or tree nuts as students tend to have these things stored in the fridge.
4. Telling your flat mates what to do in case of an emergency
Along with telling your flat mates about your allergies let them know what to do in case of an emergency. When I discussed things with my flat mates I let them know that I have my medication with me at all times and if I were to suffer an allergic reaction I would have to administer my epi-pen and an ambulance would have to be called. This not only allows them to understand the severity of what happens if I come into contact with something I'm allergic to but also helps them become aware of things and would most likely help them to remain calm in an emergency situation.
5. Let your University know about your allergies
When I was applying to accommodation there was a part of the application that asked you to put down any health issues that may affect you whilst staying in accommodation. This is a very vital thing to do so they know the situation if you were to have to call an ambulance to your accommodation. Often Universities will have policies about calling ambulances. Due to the nature of student life the majority of ambulances called out to student accommodation are likely to be drink related. You need to let the University know that yours is genuinely a serious situation and you genuinely do need help.
6. Keep in contact with your parents/guardians
Parents and guardians will worry about their child when they move away from home, this will be a lot worse for them when their child suffers from a health condition such as a food allergy. It is a good idea to try talk to your parents/guardians at least once a day. Send them a text message, a facebook message or talk to them on the phone to reassure them that you're okay. This will really help keep them at ease that there are no problems as if they don't hear from you alarm bells may start ringing that something bad has happened.
7. Take an interest in learning to cook
Due to the issue of ready meals carrying the risk of containing allergens or having may contains I wouldn't advise using these. I would definitely advise trying to learn how to cook things. It doesn't have to be seriously complicated things, you can make really tasty pasta from scratch or by using a safe pasta sauce for you. You can make things really easily and quickly that taste really good and are safe for you to eat. It's a good idea to invest in a cook book, or if you don't want to do this then there are a lot of websites online that supply recipes that you can try.
8. Medical awareness jewellery
I have found this to be a complete life-saver! I personally have a medic alert bracelet that says on it "Brittle asthma, anaphylaxis: nuts, penicillin, clarithromycin & others. Carries: adrenaline". I also keep the wallet card that came with my bracelet in my purse. It's proved really helpful when I've had to call for help. Due to the nature of anaphylaxis and it often causing difficulties with breathing it's useful to have an aid which can speak for you when you are not capable of speaking. If you don't want to invest in a medic alert bracelet or something similar you can get make your own message on a piece of paper writing down what you want it to say. Personally I would advise you to have on it:
I don't have much experience of living away from home as it's a pretty new experience for me. At 20 years old, in September of this year, I took the decision to move into student accommodation that my University supplies. This was not a decision I made lightly and a lot of me still wanted to stay at home where my mum was close to hand and there if I needed her. However, it's been a really big learning curve for me and something I am grateful to have experienced.
So here are some tips regarding moving away from home, whether that be to student accommodation or to a flat of you're own, hopefully this will provide some help and reassurance.
1. If living in student accommodation try and move into self-catering
A lot of Universities will supply both catering and self-catering accommodation. Catering normally consists of where you get your breakfast and dinner provided for you whereas Self-catering gives you a lot more independence towards what you cook. My University doesn't provide the choice but even if it were to I would have chosen self-catering so I were to be 100% certain that my food doesn't contain my allergens.
2. Let your flat mates know about your allergies
As I said in my post concerning dating with allergies this can be a very difficult thing to do. You don't want to feel different from those surrounding you but it's something that really needs to be done. Particularly if you suffer from an airborne allergy or a contact allergy. I'll give an example of something that has occurred whilst I've been living in student accommodation. I suffer from anaphylaxis to peanuts and my allergy is also a contact allergy. I had been out of the flat staying at home for a few days and one of my flat mates thought it would be okay to eat some peanut butter. She must have accidentally left some peanut butter on the worktop she had used and I must have touched it. In turn I must have then have touched my face, mouth etc. Within two hours my body suffered an anaphylactic reaction to the peanut butter and I had to be taken to hospital. My flat mate felt extremely guilty and apologised to me about it. She did not realise that I could suffer a reaction even if I was not in the flat of at the time. It's very important your flat mates know the severity of your allergy and the major things to avoid. It is not to say they cannot eat the things you're allergic to however if they do to take some steps to ensure you will not come into contact with it. For example: wiping down worktops with something like dettol and disposing of the cloth used to wipe the surface, washing all cutlery used immediately after eating the product, storing the product away from anything you may come into contact with such as in their own cupboard etc. You could possibly write a list of your food allergies and stick it on a notice board in your kitchen so they can be reminded of things.
3. If possible ask for your own fridge
Universities have strict health and safety policies concerning extra furniture so you would most likely require permission for this before doing so. I got permission from my University to have my own small sized fridge in my bedroom in order to try limit any contact with other people's food that may cause an allergic reaction. This is definitely more important if you suffer from an allergy to something very common such as milk or peanuts or tree nuts as students tend to have these things stored in the fridge.
4. Telling your flat mates what to do in case of an emergency
Along with telling your flat mates about your allergies let them know what to do in case of an emergency. When I discussed things with my flat mates I let them know that I have my medication with me at all times and if I were to suffer an allergic reaction I would have to administer my epi-pen and an ambulance would have to be called. This not only allows them to understand the severity of what happens if I come into contact with something I'm allergic to but also helps them become aware of things and would most likely help them to remain calm in an emergency situation.
5. Let your University know about your allergies
When I was applying to accommodation there was a part of the application that asked you to put down any health issues that may affect you whilst staying in accommodation. This is a very vital thing to do so they know the situation if you were to have to call an ambulance to your accommodation. Often Universities will have policies about calling ambulances. Due to the nature of student life the majority of ambulances called out to student accommodation are likely to be drink related. You need to let the University know that yours is genuinely a serious situation and you genuinely do need help.
6. Keep in contact with your parents/guardians
Parents and guardians will worry about their child when they move away from home, this will be a lot worse for them when their child suffers from a health condition such as a food allergy. It is a good idea to try talk to your parents/guardians at least once a day. Send them a text message, a facebook message or talk to them on the phone to reassure them that you're okay. This will really help keep them at ease that there are no problems as if they don't hear from you alarm bells may start ringing that something bad has happened.
7. Take an interest in learning to cook
Due to the issue of ready meals carrying the risk of containing allergens or having may contains I wouldn't advise using these. I would definitely advise trying to learn how to cook things. It doesn't have to be seriously complicated things, you can make really tasty pasta from scratch or by using a safe pasta sauce for you. You can make things really easily and quickly that taste really good and are safe for you to eat. It's a good idea to invest in a cook book, or if you don't want to do this then there are a lot of websites online that supply recipes that you can try.
8. Medical awareness jewellery
I have found this to be a complete life-saver! I personally have a medic alert bracelet that says on it "Brittle asthma, anaphylaxis: nuts, penicillin, clarithromycin & others. Carries: adrenaline". I also keep the wallet card that came with my bracelet in my purse. It's proved really helpful when I've had to call for help. Due to the nature of anaphylaxis and it often causing difficulties with breathing it's useful to have an aid which can speak for you when you are not capable of speaking. If you don't want to invest in a medic alert bracelet or something similar you can get make your own message on a piece of paper writing down what you want it to say. Personally I would advise you to have on it:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Address
- Next of kin (who you want contacted in case of an emergency. It's often good to put down two people in case one is unavailable).
- Allergies (you could even state what type of reaction they cause and place them into categories).
- Medications
- Medical conditions
You could also put things on it like Dr's name and address, any consultants you may be under etc.
9. Register with a nearby Doctor's surgery
Often people move hours away from their home to attend University/college or simply to move out. It is absolutely pointless of you living in one place and your GP being hundreds of miles away back home. Sometimes when allergies flare up you need an emergency prescription of some anti-histamines or steroid tablets and these can often be hard to come by if you don't have a local doctor's practice. It is also often vital to be registered with a local doctor to get any prescriptions you may need. It is essential to keep epi-pens which are in date as well as any other medication such as anti-histamines or inhalers.
10. Make sure your medication is in date
Further to my above suggestion this is essential. Making sure things like epi-pens are in date are a must. They normally expire within a year of getting them so it's absolute that you have a new prescription if/when this does happen. Make sure you have two epi-pens with you at all times. It's often a good idea to have two sets of epi-pens at your new living area. I personally have 2 in the hand bag I take with me out and 2 kept separately within my accommodation in a drawer.
11. Have an emergency plan
Obviously no one wants to end up having an emergency but it's a very good idea to have a set plan in place in case this were to happen. Make sure you have someone you can call who is close at hand in case there were an emergency. This could be a flat mate, or if you're in student accommodation someone who lives close by. It is advisable to call your parent/guardian to let them know what's going on so they are aware. Be aware of your local emergency number (this is more for people who move to a different country). Have directions to your local hospital and know how to get back from the hospital as often people are discharged from the hospital 4-6 hours after their reaction if they are stable. Have a plan of how to get home if this were to happen for example: taxi, calling someone to take you back etc. If you were to go back yourself in a taxi it is often a good idea to call someone to come and meet you at the hospital to make sure nothing were to happen when going back. It's a good idea to have an emergency amount of money, enough for a taxi fare, so you will not be struggling to get home.
12. Don't share cooking utensils and cleaning products
Have your own stock of things like crockery, cutlery etc. Also have your own sponges, dish towels etc. A tip can be to have your own basin to wash your things in which you put in the sink. Rubber gloves can also be a good idea to clean things with as well as when you're doing things like taking the bins out or cleaning things like worktops and such.
12. Don't share cooking utensils and cleaning products
Have your own stock of things like crockery, cutlery etc. Also have your own sponges, dish towels etc. A tip can be to have your own basin to wash your things in which you put in the sink. Rubber gloves can also be a good idea to clean things with as well as when you're doing things like taking the bins out or cleaning things like worktops and such.
Friday, 7 November 2014
Dating with food allergies and anaphylaxis
Being a young person can be extremely difficult at the best of times. You're finding yourself as a person and exploring new possibilities. One of these is meeting someone you like and possibly starting to go out on dates with them and getting into a relationship with them. This can be a challenging experience for any young person however living with food allergies and anaphylaxis often complicates things. It can be difficult to get the other person to understand how your condition affects you and the implications it may. You also may not want to seem different so may lie about having your condition or down play the seriousness of the condition.
Most young people wouldn't think twice about having peanut butter on toast for breakfast or having a Reece's pieces as a snack. However, for someone suffering from a severe allergy to tree nuts or peanuts this simple snack will pose severe problems. The first thing I will say is it's important to let the other person know about your allergies. This can be an extremely difficult thing to do. When you want someone to like you often you don't want them to think of you as "weird" or "strange". You want them to see you like anyone else your age. You don't have to tell them all the specifics of your condition but at least cover the basics.
1. Let the person know about your allergies
As described above this can become a challenge however it is a very essential thing to do. You need to let them know about the foods in which you are allergic to so the person can try their best to avoid things. Let them know about things that may have your allergy in it. This may seem patronising as it's common sense to know that peanut butter contains peanuts but some things are not so obvious.
2. Tell the person to some degree what happens if you come into contact with something your allergic to
You don't have to tell them about your experiences of being in hospital with your allergies but letting them know how your condition affects you is a step in the right direction. Let them know that your allergy isn't simply a rash it is a severe condition. Tell them about the symptoms you get of your allergy. Being honest with them is a very vital thing to do. Don't down play the severity of things as this can make the person more inclined to ignore your warnings. Sometimes people think you're exaggerating when you say "my condition is life-threatening" however it is something that is imperative you do. Let them know the implications for you coming into contact with what you're allergic to. Maybe tell them that if you do have something that you can't have then you will need to go to hospital.
3. Tell them about your epi-pen
This can seem like a very daunting thing to explain to someone. I've had both good and bad experiences regarding showing someone my epi-pen. I had someone say to me "You've got to stick a needle in your leg!" whilst I've also had someone say "that's pretty cool". Explain to them that if you do have a reaction you will need to administer your epi-pen. Sometimes it's even a good idea to get a trainer epi-pen off your doctor (places like the anaphylaxis campaign also supply them) and show them how to use it so the process doesn't seem so daunting if it were to happen that you were to have to use it. Tell them what to do in the case of needing to use an epi-pen (calling 999 etc.).
4. Pre-plan your dates with them
Think about where you're going beforehand. This ensures that if you were going to an eating place you can check the allergen advice beforehand. Lots of eating places now publish their allergen advice online as well as having it available when you get there. Make sure to take into consideration that often eating places cannot completely guarantee the lack of cross contamination where your allergy is concerned. Suggest places which you know are safe for you to go to.
5. Carry all medication with you
It can sometimes be difficult to feel different from all your peers and those surrounding you however it's vital to make sure you take all your medication with you on a date. Hopefully nothing will happen whilst you're with the person but you need to be safe in case of a situation where you do need your medication.
6. Medical awareness jewellery
Something I've found very useful is my medic alert bracelet. You can get these of websites such as:
Medic alert: http://www.medicalert.org.uk/
Allermates: http://www.allermates.com/
These often come with very good wallet/purse cards which give information on what medical conditions you have and a number to call if anything were to happen. These can very useful for medical staff when assessing your condition and can help speak in an emergency situation when you cannot.
7. Have a clear emergency contact written in your phone
Nowadays people have the contact ICE written in their phone. This is the 'In case of emergency' contact, so the person you would want contacted if an emergency did occur. Have it clearly labelled on your phone who your emergency contact is so they can be contacted if need be. Some people have stickers on the back of their phone explaining who to call if anything were to happen and this can often be a good idea.
8. Don't kiss someone unless you know what they've been eating
If you have any doubts as to what someone has consumed do not risk kissing them. It is a common misconception that the person has to eat the allergen to have a reaction but in a lot of patients this is not the case as the protein, the thing that causes the allergen, can be transferred from mouth to mouth contact. When people get older and start going on night's out to clubs and pubs and such, often they will kiss someone whom they have never met before and know nothing about. This is best avoided if you suffer from a life-threatening allergy, or an allergy of any sort, as you have absolutely no idea what the person has come into contact with. It is not worth risking your health over!
Most young people wouldn't think twice about having peanut butter on toast for breakfast or having a Reece's pieces as a snack. However, for someone suffering from a severe allergy to tree nuts or peanuts this simple snack will pose severe problems. The first thing I will say is it's important to let the other person know about your allergies. This can be an extremely difficult thing to do. When you want someone to like you often you don't want them to think of you as "weird" or "strange". You want them to see you like anyone else your age. You don't have to tell them all the specifics of your condition but at least cover the basics.
1. Let the person know about your allergies
As described above this can become a challenge however it is a very essential thing to do. You need to let them know about the foods in which you are allergic to so the person can try their best to avoid things. Let them know about things that may have your allergy in it. This may seem patronising as it's common sense to know that peanut butter contains peanuts but some things are not so obvious.
2. Tell the person to some degree what happens if you come into contact with something your allergic to
You don't have to tell them about your experiences of being in hospital with your allergies but letting them know how your condition affects you is a step in the right direction. Let them know that your allergy isn't simply a rash it is a severe condition. Tell them about the symptoms you get of your allergy. Being honest with them is a very vital thing to do. Don't down play the severity of things as this can make the person more inclined to ignore your warnings. Sometimes people think you're exaggerating when you say "my condition is life-threatening" however it is something that is imperative you do. Let them know the implications for you coming into contact with what you're allergic to. Maybe tell them that if you do have something that you can't have then you will need to go to hospital.
3. Tell them about your epi-pen
This can seem like a very daunting thing to explain to someone. I've had both good and bad experiences regarding showing someone my epi-pen. I had someone say to me "You've got to stick a needle in your leg!" whilst I've also had someone say "that's pretty cool". Explain to them that if you do have a reaction you will need to administer your epi-pen. Sometimes it's even a good idea to get a trainer epi-pen off your doctor (places like the anaphylaxis campaign also supply them) and show them how to use it so the process doesn't seem so daunting if it were to happen that you were to have to use it. Tell them what to do in the case of needing to use an epi-pen (calling 999 etc.).
4. Pre-plan your dates with them
Think about where you're going beforehand. This ensures that if you were going to an eating place you can check the allergen advice beforehand. Lots of eating places now publish their allergen advice online as well as having it available when you get there. Make sure to take into consideration that often eating places cannot completely guarantee the lack of cross contamination where your allergy is concerned. Suggest places which you know are safe for you to go to.
5. Carry all medication with you
It can sometimes be difficult to feel different from all your peers and those surrounding you however it's vital to make sure you take all your medication with you on a date. Hopefully nothing will happen whilst you're with the person but you need to be safe in case of a situation where you do need your medication.
6. Medical awareness jewellery
Something I've found very useful is my medic alert bracelet. You can get these of websites such as:
Medic alert: http://www.medicalert.org.uk/
Allermates: http://www.allermates.com/
These often come with very good wallet/purse cards which give information on what medical conditions you have and a number to call if anything were to happen. These can very useful for medical staff when assessing your condition and can help speak in an emergency situation when you cannot.
7. Have a clear emergency contact written in your phone
Nowadays people have the contact ICE written in their phone. This is the 'In case of emergency' contact, so the person you would want contacted if an emergency did occur. Have it clearly labelled on your phone who your emergency contact is so they can be contacted if need be. Some people have stickers on the back of their phone explaining who to call if anything were to happen and this can often be a good idea.
8. Don't kiss someone unless you know what they've been eating
If you have any doubts as to what someone has consumed do not risk kissing them. It is a common misconception that the person has to eat the allergen to have a reaction but in a lot of patients this is not the case as the protein, the thing that causes the allergen, can be transferred from mouth to mouth contact. When people get older and start going on night's out to clubs and pubs and such, often they will kiss someone whom they have never met before and know nothing about. This is best avoided if you suffer from a life-threatening allergy, or an allergy of any sort, as you have absolutely no idea what the person has come into contact with. It is not worth risking your health over!
Survival guide for living with Anaphylaxis
In my future blogs I will be focusing on specific topics and concerns that people have relating to living with anaphylaxis however for the time being, here is an overall guide for helping to live life with anaphylaxis.
I have been suffering with allergies since I was very young and was formally diagnosed when I was 4 years old. When I was 16 years old, 4 years ago, I was diagnosed with anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions) as well as more allergies.
When I was younger my mum noticed that I would continually come out in a really blotchy, itchy rash after eating anything containing red food colouring. After attending an allergist at the hospital and getting blood taken, although my blood results were fine for all major allergens I was diagnosed with an allergy to food colourings, in particular red food colourings. Growing up avoiding food colourings was not much of an issue for me as I quickly learned that if I ate anything with food colouring in it I would become extremely itchy. When I was 16 years old my mother gave me an ice-cream topped with hazelnuts to eat. Within 15 minutes of eating the ice-cream my skin began to become itchy, my face began to swell up, my throat felt like it was closing and my breathing became extremely difficult. After phoning NHS24 I was told I was suffering with the symptoms of anaphylaxis (Severe allergic reaction) and they would call me an ambulance. I luckily had an epi-pen in my house (an injection which contains the drug adrenaline which is one of the treatments for anaphylaxis). NHS24 gave me instructions on how to administer the epi-pen and after giving it within 15 minutes I began to feel better. However this is not always the case. Sometimes when someone suffers from anaphylaxis the adrenaline may not always work and therefore that is why sufferers of anaphylaxis are suggested to carry 2 epi-pens with them in order to give themselves a second shot of adrenaline should the first one not work or wear off. The paramedics and hospital staff can also give extra adrenaline if needed.
I take various medications to combat the symptoms of my allergies everyday. In the morning I take 2 anti-histamines tablets (desloratadine and fexofenadine) as well as a tablet which blocks the 2nd type of histamine (something which your body releases when you’re having an allergic reaction) called ranitidine. At night time I take 1 anti-histamine tablet (piriton) as well as a 2nd ranitidine tablet. I can take piriton up to 3 times a day so if I start to show any allergy symptoms throughout the day then I can take another tablet. I also have to carry about with me 2 epi-pens and a ventolin inhaler everywhere I go in case I suffer an anaphylactic reaction to something. The majority of the tablets I take do not have side effects but unfortunately piriton, epi-pens and ventolin inhalers do. Piriton can make you feel really drowsy and disorientated, something which I have found help me cope with the side effects is taking the tablet at night so I will sleep of the side effects. If you have to take it at school it is best to alert your teacher or school nurse that you are having to take it so they know that you may suffer these side effects. Epi-pens can make your heart rate speed up and can also make you feel really dizzy and agitated. The best way to get through these symptoms is to try and remain calm. An ambulance should always be phoned when someone takes an epi-pen as the person should at least be checked over by paramedics if not taken to hospital. Ventolin inhaler can make your heart rate speed up and can also cause you to have tremors (particularly in your hands). The best way to get through the symptoms is to remain calm and breathe as calmly as you possibly can.
Dealing with allergies and anaphylaxis on a daily basis can be really hard to start with but things get a lot easier with time. The main thing to be aware of is to check everything you eat. Particularly if you are suffering from a nut allergy, even things that you think may be safe may have cross contamination from it being made in the same factory as something else or using ingredients which contain nuts. The same goes for any allergens. On a lot of products it says if it contains any of the main 24 allergens however companies legally do not have to put this on their products so if you are ever in doubt do not consume it. You have to keep in mind that it is not just foods which may contain your allergens. Drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), cosmetic products, sun tan lotions etc. may all contain your allergen. Particularly where nuts are concerned a lot of cosmetic products can contain nut oil. It is a really good idea to research the name for the oil of nuts in order to avoid it in products.
The main symptoms of anaphylaxis are:
- Itching
- Hives
- Vomiting
- Stomach pains
- Swelling of the: face, hands, feet, genitals, tongue, throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
- Stridor (extremely noisy breathing that sounds like snoring)
- Wheezing (extremely high pitched breathing that typically occurs when breathing out)
- Dizziness
- Unconsciousness
- Fearing that something bad is going to happen
- Diarrhoea
This is not a complete list of all the symptoms but is a list of the main symptoms. Not everybody gets all of these symptoms. It is suggested that if 2 or more symptoms occur then an ambulance should be phoned and an epi-pen administered if available. It is also a good idea to call a family member or a friend to let them know what is happening so they are aware. Anaphylaxis can be a really scary thing to go through, particularly when you are alone, but the main thing is to try and stay calm and remember that when you phone the ambulance the paramedics are on their way and they are extremely good at dealing with this.
It is often very difficult to get those around you to understand that anaphylaxis is a very serious medical condition and that even being in the same room as your allergen can cause you to react. The best way to deal with this is let the person you are trying to explain it to know how it makes you feel. Explain to them what happens if you are exposed to your allergen and that it is a very life-threatening condition. There is a lot of information available online to help other people understand your anaphylaxis. You should let those closest to you know how to deal with an anaphylactic reaction if they should ever need to. You should ask your doctor for a trainer adrenaline pen in order to give family members, friends etc. an idea on how to use them and make them less nervous should they ever need to use one on you. Don’t let your allergies take over your life. There are a lot of things which you will be able to eat instead of the things you are allergic to. For example if you have a nut allergy and really like chocolate, keep in mind that not every chocolate carries a risk so there are still a lot of things you can eat. Allergies do not define you, they are something which unfortunately you have to learn to live with but they are not who you are as a person.
It is really important that you tell your area of either education or work about your allergies. Most schools have an allergy action plan and the appropriate people have been trained on how to deal with anaphylaxis. It would be a good idea to give your school some spare medication in case you were to ever forget yours or need yours in an emergency. When in college or University it is very different to school as there are a lot more people and you are not as close to your teachers. It is a good idea to alert the person responsible for your University/College’s first aid that you suffer from allergies and/or anaphylaxis to the things you have reactions to and instruct them on what to do should you suffer a reaction to something. When in a work environment it can be really difficult to get others to not bring in the allergen in which you are allergic to. Alert your manager to the fact you suffer with allergies and/or anaphylaxis and let them know what to do should you ever suffer a reaction to something. Be careful when others are eating around you and if something makes you feel uncomfortable be honest with the person about your allergies and let them know what they should not eat around you.
There are a few charities which I have found really have helped me when dealing with coming to terms with my allergies and anaphylaxis. The Anaphylaxis Campaign is the only UK based charity which supports those affected by severe food allergies and their loved ones. They provide information about living with anaphylaxis as well as product information regarding allergens. They also have a helpline in which you can phone to ask for any advice you may need regarding anaphylaxis. They have a facebook page where you can keep up to date with their latest news and ask questions on. Allergylifestyle is another website which has really helped me come to terms with things. They provide information on allergies as well as a store in which you can buy carrier cases for your medication which can really help make it a less daunting thing to have to carry about. For younger children they provide allergy stickers for lunch boxes during school to state they have a food allergy. The final charity which has been a great help to me has been Medic Alert. Medic Alert is a UK charity which provides medical jewellery to buy which you can engrave with whatever you feel necessary. With your order you also get a wallet card which has your health information (such as your name, next of kin, medical information) written on it to be used in an emergency. Medic Alert also have a 24 hour contact number where if you are found in an emergency medical professionals can phone them and gain access to your emergency medical information so they can give you the proper treatment.
The nightmare that is anaphylaxis...
To quickly say what anaphylaxis is: anaphylaxis is a rare but life-threatening allergic reaction. When referring to an allergic reaction what one means is that the immune system has mistaken something harmless, such as nuts or dust, as an intruder, something which shouldn't be there and releases histamine. The release of histamine causes a range of symptoms which affect different systems within the body. In patients with anaphylaxis the main systems which are affected are the respiratory, digestive and circulatory systems. This causes a wide range of symptoms from difficulty breathing to vomiting. What is an everyday treat, such as peanut butter, to the majority of people becomes something deadly to someone with anaphylaxis.
To go onto more about my experiences with anaphylaxis, I've suffered a wide range of them. I've suffered minor reactions where within minutes I became better and within hours could go back to everyday life however at the opposite end of the scale I've suffered reactions which have been deemed as deadly. I've been admitted to Intensive care on various occasions as well as High Dependency due to anaphylaxis. What many people don't realise or understand is that the issue isn't just coming into contact with something that causes an allergic response. Many times I've experienced an episode of anaphylaxis, been given prompt medical treatment and hours to days later have become extremely unwell again, fighting for my life. These are what are known as biphasic reactions. A biphasic reaction occurs when after the medication controlling the anaphylactic reaction wears off there is still some of the allergen left in the body and once again the body does everything within it's power to try and get rid of it. These reactions can often be worse than the initial reaction.
Anaphylaxis is an extremely frightening condition to live with. A common misconception associated with allergies is that they are easy to live with. "Just avoid the thing you're allergic to and you'll have nothing to worry about" when the reality is so much different. May contains, made in a factory with, produced on the equipment with are all part of the nightmare that is anaphylaxis. It's not just about avoiding the allergen itself but also a whole range of other things too. I remember going into a supermarket and picking up some flavoured water. I was reading the nutritional information when the allergy advice caught my eye "May contain traces of nuts". I put the water back down and sighed, totally frustrated. Allergies are hard enough to live with but many companies use what is known in the allergy community as "blanket labelling". This is where they will place allergy warnings, in particular nut allergy warnings, on everyday items that you wouldn't think would contain the allergen. Things like juice, crisps, even fresh fruit can often be off the tables when living with allergies because it's too much of a risk to take because even a small amount of the allergen protein can cause a life-threatening situation amongst allergy sufferers.
It's not even just food that proves to be an issue but other everyday items too. In particular living with a nut allergy is extremely challenging and difficult. I have several allergies to things but the hardest by far I've found is tree nuts and peanuts. You have to check the back of things like cosmetic products, cleaning products, medication because all of these have the potential to contain nuts or nut oil. It isn't an easy life to live but the reality is you've just got to get through it.
Many people ask me how I do it, how I get through things. The reality is that even though I've only been suffering with anaphylaxis and multiple allergies for just over 4 years, they've become such a massive part of my life that I cannot remember a life without worrying about food-labelling and may contains. I cannot remember back to when life seemed so much simpler and I didn't constantly have to stress about what I eat or have I got my medication with me. My allergies are a massive part of my life and to some extent I became my anaphylaxis and allergies for a while. Nowadays things are easier, I've learned what is safe and what isn't. Even then sometimes it isn't enough.
In the 4 years I've suffered with anaphylaxis I've suffered over 200 anaphylactic reactions including biphasic reactions. Every reaction has put me into the hospital whether it be the emergency department receiving observation, resusitation ending up with numerous needles and tests being performed or critical care (intensive care/high dependency) not sure what's going to happen next. Numerous people think I'm extremely careless when it comes to my allergies, that I evidently don't avoid the things I know I cannot have when this is far from the case. I avoid not only all the things that contain my allergies but may contains too. Unfortunately I suffer from a very rare issue compared to most people with anaphylaxis. My allergies constantly change. What I mean by that is quite literally I could be allergic to something one day and can eat it the next. What is safe for me today may put me in the hospital fighting for my life tomorrow. That may seem like a complete over-exaggeration but it's the reality of my life. The biggest example of this would be my anaphylaxis to nuts. My first reaction, in August 2010, was to hazelnuts and afterwards I suffered reactions to peanuts, almonds and many others. Late November 2011 I was accidentally given a meal containing nuts. I waited for the reaction to happen, I think those were the most horrible minutes and hours of my life to date, but no reaction came. On reporting this to my doctor I was referred back to a specialist for testing regarding this. I was blood tested, skin tested as well as given an oral challenge (this is where the patient is given the allergen in very small quantities and it's built up more and more to see if a reaction will happen). I passed all of them for both tree nuts and peanuts and was deemed non-allergic to both. My anaphylaxis no longer seemed as scary as it once was. I could eat things freely without having to worry too much. During April 2013 I was re-diagnosed with anaphylaxis to both peanuts and tree nuts after eating some cashews and going into anaphylactic shock. It felt like my world had crumbled. I felt completely back to square one and totally alone.
"Fussy eater" "It's just a peanut" "Don't be so over dramatic" "You're just attention seeking" these are all quotes from people I've come into contact with regarding my allergies. People don't seem to understand the implications of anaphylaxis. I think it's because it's not them or someone they are close to suffering from the condition. They don't understand how difficult life with allergic reactions truly is. A lot of people associate allergies with a slight rash or a sniffle, such as that of hayfever, many people are un-aware that for so many people over the world it's life-threatening. Looking at some statistics published by Allergy UK (http://www.allergyuk.org/allergy-statistics/allergy-statistics):
-Each year the number of those suffering from allergies increases by 5%, half of these being children
-Over 150 million people in Europe alone suffer from allergies deeming it the most chronic disease
-In 10 years time it is expected that 50% of Europeans will suffer from allergies
-In the UK there are 30 specialists in allergies. This means that there is 1 specialist per 700,000 patients suffering from allergies
-£68 million is spent annually for hospital admissions for allergies
Food allergy.org (http://www.foodallergy.org/document.doc?id=194) also published statistics relating to anaphylaxis in particular:
-In the US food allergies result in more than 300,000 ambulances being called out to children under the age of 18
-In the US every 6 minutes someone is admitted to an emergency department suffering with anaphylaxis
-Teenagers and young adults are most at risk for fatality associated with anaphylaxis
-Children suffering with food allergies are 2-4 times more likely to suffer with an associated condition, such as asthma or hayfever, than children without food allergies
So why isn't more awareness being raised regarding this condition? Why are there still so many common misconceptions associated with this condition?
The condition affects so many people worldwide, many children, yet still there is hardly any awareness regarding it. Allergies are NOT just something simple to live with, they are extremely difficult, they influence many factors of a person's life not just their eating. It impacts upon where they can go, their education, their work as well as them having what is considered to be a normal life.
Allergies can be severe and the reason behind writing this blog is to hopefully give somewhat of an insight into life with an allergic condition and hopefully raise more awareness regarding this nightmare.
To go onto more about my experiences with anaphylaxis, I've suffered a wide range of them. I've suffered minor reactions where within minutes I became better and within hours could go back to everyday life however at the opposite end of the scale I've suffered reactions which have been deemed as deadly. I've been admitted to Intensive care on various occasions as well as High Dependency due to anaphylaxis. What many people don't realise or understand is that the issue isn't just coming into contact with something that causes an allergic response. Many times I've experienced an episode of anaphylaxis, been given prompt medical treatment and hours to days later have become extremely unwell again, fighting for my life. These are what are known as biphasic reactions. A biphasic reaction occurs when after the medication controlling the anaphylactic reaction wears off there is still some of the allergen left in the body and once again the body does everything within it's power to try and get rid of it. These reactions can often be worse than the initial reaction.
Anaphylaxis is an extremely frightening condition to live with. A common misconception associated with allergies is that they are easy to live with. "Just avoid the thing you're allergic to and you'll have nothing to worry about" when the reality is so much different. May contains, made in a factory with, produced on the equipment with are all part of the nightmare that is anaphylaxis. It's not just about avoiding the allergen itself but also a whole range of other things too. I remember going into a supermarket and picking up some flavoured water. I was reading the nutritional information when the allergy advice caught my eye "May contain traces of nuts". I put the water back down and sighed, totally frustrated. Allergies are hard enough to live with but many companies use what is known in the allergy community as "blanket labelling". This is where they will place allergy warnings, in particular nut allergy warnings, on everyday items that you wouldn't think would contain the allergen. Things like juice, crisps, even fresh fruit can often be off the tables when living with allergies because it's too much of a risk to take because even a small amount of the allergen protein can cause a life-threatening situation amongst allergy sufferers.
It's not even just food that proves to be an issue but other everyday items too. In particular living with a nut allergy is extremely challenging and difficult. I have several allergies to things but the hardest by far I've found is tree nuts and peanuts. You have to check the back of things like cosmetic products, cleaning products, medication because all of these have the potential to contain nuts or nut oil. It isn't an easy life to live but the reality is you've just got to get through it.
Many people ask me how I do it, how I get through things. The reality is that even though I've only been suffering with anaphylaxis and multiple allergies for just over 4 years, they've become such a massive part of my life that I cannot remember a life without worrying about food-labelling and may contains. I cannot remember back to when life seemed so much simpler and I didn't constantly have to stress about what I eat or have I got my medication with me. My allergies are a massive part of my life and to some extent I became my anaphylaxis and allergies for a while. Nowadays things are easier, I've learned what is safe and what isn't. Even then sometimes it isn't enough.
In the 4 years I've suffered with anaphylaxis I've suffered over 200 anaphylactic reactions including biphasic reactions. Every reaction has put me into the hospital whether it be the emergency department receiving observation, resusitation ending up with numerous needles and tests being performed or critical care (intensive care/high dependency) not sure what's going to happen next. Numerous people think I'm extremely careless when it comes to my allergies, that I evidently don't avoid the things I know I cannot have when this is far from the case. I avoid not only all the things that contain my allergies but may contains too. Unfortunately I suffer from a very rare issue compared to most people with anaphylaxis. My allergies constantly change. What I mean by that is quite literally I could be allergic to something one day and can eat it the next. What is safe for me today may put me in the hospital fighting for my life tomorrow. That may seem like a complete over-exaggeration but it's the reality of my life. The biggest example of this would be my anaphylaxis to nuts. My first reaction, in August 2010, was to hazelnuts and afterwards I suffered reactions to peanuts, almonds and many others. Late November 2011 I was accidentally given a meal containing nuts. I waited for the reaction to happen, I think those were the most horrible minutes and hours of my life to date, but no reaction came. On reporting this to my doctor I was referred back to a specialist for testing regarding this. I was blood tested, skin tested as well as given an oral challenge (this is where the patient is given the allergen in very small quantities and it's built up more and more to see if a reaction will happen). I passed all of them for both tree nuts and peanuts and was deemed non-allergic to both. My anaphylaxis no longer seemed as scary as it once was. I could eat things freely without having to worry too much. During April 2013 I was re-diagnosed with anaphylaxis to both peanuts and tree nuts after eating some cashews and going into anaphylactic shock. It felt like my world had crumbled. I felt completely back to square one and totally alone.
"Fussy eater" "It's just a peanut" "Don't be so over dramatic" "You're just attention seeking" these are all quotes from people I've come into contact with regarding my allergies. People don't seem to understand the implications of anaphylaxis. I think it's because it's not them or someone they are close to suffering from the condition. They don't understand how difficult life with allergic reactions truly is. A lot of people associate allergies with a slight rash or a sniffle, such as that of hayfever, many people are un-aware that for so many people over the world it's life-threatening. Looking at some statistics published by Allergy UK (http://www.allergyuk.org/allergy-statistics/allergy-statistics):
-Each year the number of those suffering from allergies increases by 5%, half of these being children
-Over 150 million people in Europe alone suffer from allergies deeming it the most chronic disease
-In 10 years time it is expected that 50% of Europeans will suffer from allergies
-In the UK there are 30 specialists in allergies. This means that there is 1 specialist per 700,000 patients suffering from allergies
-£68 million is spent annually for hospital admissions for allergies
Food allergy.org (http://www.foodallergy.org/document.doc?id=194) also published statistics relating to anaphylaxis in particular:
-In the US food allergies result in more than 300,000 ambulances being called out to children under the age of 18
-In the US every 6 minutes someone is admitted to an emergency department suffering with anaphylaxis
-Teenagers and young adults are most at risk for fatality associated with anaphylaxis
-Children suffering with food allergies are 2-4 times more likely to suffer with an associated condition, such as asthma or hayfever, than children without food allergies
So why isn't more awareness being raised regarding this condition? Why are there still so many common misconceptions associated with this condition?
The condition affects so many people worldwide, many children, yet still there is hardly any awareness regarding it. Allergies are NOT just something simple to live with, they are extremely difficult, they influence many factors of a person's life not just their eating. It impacts upon where they can go, their education, their work as well as them having what is considered to be a normal life.
Allergies can be severe and the reason behind writing this blog is to hopefully give somewhat of an insight into life with an allergic condition and hopefully raise more awareness regarding this nightmare.
Why I've started this blog...
Hi my name is Nicole. I am a 20 year old Scottish University student who has been living with allergies since the age of 4 and anaphylaxis since the age of 16. I may have only been living with anphylaxis (severe allergic reactions) for just over 4 years but in my 4 years of living my life with this condition my life has changed dramatically due to it. I don't let my allergies rule my life but I know there are limitations I have come across and will continue to come across for the rest of my life whilst living with allergies and anaphylaxis. I live with severe food allergies to: tree nuts, peanuts, fish, pears, maple syrup and blue cheese. I also have an intolerance to most dairy products. I suffer anaphylaxis to multiple medications as well as cosmetic products, in particular face wipes.
I have decided to start writing this blog because I feel that there are not enough resources out there to help young people come to terms with living life with this condition. When first diagnosed with anaphylaxis I felt completely isolated and lost. It literally felt like my world had been tipped upside down overnight and I found it extremely difficult adjusting to life with anaphylaxis. I want to help young people suffering from this condition as well as those newly diagnosed, and their parents, to come to terms with living life as a young person with allergies and anaphylaxis. I don't want any young person to feel that their allergies rule their life like I did at one point. I want to raise awareness regarding these conditions and give advice on how to get through the good as well as the bad times.
If you have any suggestions relating to topics you wish me to cover than please do not hesitate to contact me.
I have decided to start writing this blog because I feel that there are not enough resources out there to help young people come to terms with living life with this condition. When first diagnosed with anaphylaxis I felt completely isolated and lost. It literally felt like my world had been tipped upside down overnight and I found it extremely difficult adjusting to life with anaphylaxis. I want to help young people suffering from this condition as well as those newly diagnosed, and their parents, to come to terms with living life as a young person with allergies and anaphylaxis. I don't want any young person to feel that their allergies rule their life like I did at one point. I want to raise awareness regarding these conditions and give advice on how to get through the good as well as the bad times.
If you have any suggestions relating to topics you wish me to cover than please do not hesitate to contact me.
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