Allergy in the UK
Wednesday 13 October 2004
Allergies are on the increase.
According to Allergy UK, one in three people in the UK now has an allergy.
An allergy is a hypersensitivity to something that causes your body's immune system to overreact.
The symptoms of allergies can include a blocked or runny nose, streaming eyes, sore throats, upset stomach, swelling of the eyes or lips, rashes or itchy spots. People can sometimes find they are allergic to:
- Pollen
- House-dust mites
- Fur from pets such as cats or dogs
- Certain types of fabric
- Cosmetic products
- Food
Some children and teenagers can grow out of allergies later on in life, but for many allergies can stay with us for life. Hayfever sufferers, for example, can experience no symptoms one year and then suffer the next after a certain type of pollen re-enters the air.
If you think you are suffering from some of the symptoms of an allergy, you should contact your GP or local pharmacist.
Food Allergies
Complaints about 'intolerances' or allergies to food are increasing. Although genuine food allergies are actually quite rare, more people are experiencing digestive problems when eating certain foods, often the ones that they like the most. Experts believe that this could be due to our modern way of eating.
Foods that can sometimes cause an allergic reaction in people include:
- Nuts, such as Brazil nuts, almonds and hazelnuts
- Peanuts
- Eggs
- Fish and shellfish
- Milk
The symptoms of traditional food allergies can include:
- Swelling of the tongue or mouth
- Wheezing or breathlessness
- Upset stomach
- Rashes
Some people have an extremely serious reaction to food, insect bites, latex, or drugs. This is called 'anaphylaxis' and is life threatening. The reaction causes the mouth and throat area to swell up making it difficult to breath, so an ambulance must be called immediately. Some people at risk of this reaction carry pre-loaded injections kits called Epi-pens, which contain adrenaline. Using these can save peoples lives.
If you think you've had some form of reaction to food, make sure you tell your family, friends or your teacher. An upset stomach might not always point to a food allergy, but it's always best to make sure and ask for help.
If you find that you are allergic to certain foods, you will need to make sure you avoid eating it, even if it's a small ingredient in a meal. To help you, food packets now contain warnings such as 'may contain nuts,' because it is not always easy to tell.
But that does not always mean that you will miss out on your favourite foods. People with intolerance to wheat, which is found in bread or some types of cereal, can get alternative types of breads and snacks, many of which are now stocked by major supermarkets.
To find out more on the types of allergy that can affect the human body, or find out the difference between an allergy and intolerance to food, click on the links below.
