Media coverage re Allergy Epidemic

Keeping pace with the Allergy Epidemic

Oral Food Challenges - design

It is important for both patient/family and researcher/supervising clinician to be clear in their mind as to why a food challenge is undertaken. The answer will influence the design and safety of the challenge - herewith some ideas we recently published on this topic - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26183500

Milk Ladder

Herewith a link to a 'milk ladder' that may be of use at the time of re-introducing milk protein to the diet which typically is indicated after a few years of age and when allergy test sizes to milk have reduced. Discuss this with your Allergy Doctor/Dietitian before commencing.

President Obama signed a bill that gives a financial incentive to states to stockpile emergency medications in schools

Great News: President Barack Obama on Wednesday signed a bill that gives a financial incentive to states to stockpile emergency medications in schools that could save lives in the cases of allergic reactions. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57612201/food-allergy-epinephrine-bill-reaches-obamas-desk/

Scombroid Poisoning

Scombroid Poisoning — NEJM An interesting read of an easily diagnosed, rather rare, allergy-like illnessP

New Allergy Website Up and Running

Fantastic new FARP Website up and running; here is an exert from their peanut allergy page, well worth a look. Peanut Allergy Peanut allergy is one of the most common food allergies. Peanuts can cause a severe, potentially fatal, allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Therefore it is advised that people with peanut allergy have quick access to an epinephrine auto-injector (such as an EpiPen®, Auvi-Q® or Twinject®) at all times. To prevent a reaction, strict avoidance of peanut and peanut products is essential. Always read ingredient labels to identify peanut ingredients. Allergy to peanuts appears to be on the rise in children. According to a FARE-funded study, the number of children in the U.S. with peanut allergy more than tripled between 1997 and 2008.1 Studies in the United Kingdom and Canada also showed a high prevalence of peanut allergy in schoolchildren. Peanut allergies tend to be lifelong, although studies indicate that approximately 20 percent of children with peanut allergy do eventually outgrow their allergy. Younger siblings of children allergic to peanuts may be at increased risk for allergy to peanuts. Your doctor can provide guidance about testing for siblings. Peanuts are not the same as tree nuts (almonds, cashews, walnuts, etc.), which grow on trees. Peanuts grow underground and are part of a different plant family, the legumes. Other examples of legumes include beans, peas, lentils and soybeans. If you are allergic to peanuts, you do not have a greater chance of being allergic to another legume (including soy) than you would to any other food. Trace amounts of peanut can cause an allergic reaction. Casual contact with peanuts, such as touching peanuts or peanut butter residue, is less likely to trigger a severe reaction. Casual contact becomes a concern if the area that comes into contact with peanuts then comes into contact with the eyes, nose or mouth (for example, a child with peanut allergy gets peanut butter on her fingers, and then rubs her eyes). Based on recent studies, an estimated 25-40 percent of people who have peanut allergy also are allergic to tree nuts.2 In addition, peanuts and tree nuts often come into contact with one another during manufacturing and serving processes. For these reasons, allergists usually tell their patients with peanut allergy to avoid tree nuts as well.

Dr George Du Toit. Paediatric Allergist London. Linked Account

http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/george-du-toit/34/919/206