Children's Allergy

Children's Allergy Consultant Paediatrician in Allergy
MD FRCPCH
PGCert Paed Allergy
PGCert Allergy

When’s the right time to introduce allergens like egg, peanut or milk?It used to be common to delay these foods, but we ...
15/08/2025

When’s the right time to introduce allergens like egg, peanut or milk?

It used to be common to delay these foods, but we now know that early, careful introduction may help prevent food allergies.

For most babies, that means starting allergenic foods around 6 months (sometimes a little earlier based on the factors provided on slide 3).

If your baby has eczema, a diagnosed allergy, or a strong family history, speak to your GP or allergy specialist first, as early introduction may still help, but should be tailored.

Out of the foods I have suggested, which should you introduce first?
✔️ Start with peanut and egg 🥚🥜
✔️ Followed by wheat, sesame (and seeds included) and fish. 🌾🐟
✔️ No specific studies have been done for tree nuts, though the suggestion would be to introduce them after wheat, sesame and fish.⁣

Some really exciting allergy research has just been published in ‘Science’ and it could change how we think about treati...
11/08/2025

Some really exciting allergy research has just been published in ‘Science’ and it could change how we think about treating food allergies in the future. 🥜

The study looked at the gut’s role in allergic reactions. It found that certain chemicals in the body, called cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs ), can weaken the gut barrier, making it easier for allergens to pass through and trigger symptoms.

Here’s the interesting part: when these chemicals were blocked with a medication called zileuton, the gut barrier stayed strong and anaphylaxis didn’t develop in their models.

It’s early days as this has only been tried on animals, so we’re not talking about an available treatment just yet, but this could be a big step towards new ways of managing food allergies and anaphylaxis in the future!

Read the article here: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adp0240

Earlier this pollen season, I shared a post about botanical sexism and how male plants in urban spaces contribute to ris...
09/08/2025

Earlier this pollen season, I shared a post about botanical sexism and how male plants in urban spaces contribute to rising pollen levels.

This topic is closely linked to another emerging concern: the role of climate change in the spread of highly allergenic plants like ragweed (Ambrosia) 🌿

In the recent BSACI rhinitis guide, which I authored, we highlight how rising temperatures and CO₂ levels are creating favourable conditions for invasive species like ragweed to take hold in the UK.

One ragweed plant can release up to a billion grains of pollen in a single season.
Its pollen is particularly potent and can cause severe hay fever and asthma symptoms even in children who haven’t previously been affected.

This shift in plant distribution and pollen potency is one of the ways climate change is already impacting allergy symptoms.

Any questions, just leave them 👇

For the first time, a needle-free option to treat anaphylaxis has been approved by the MHRA!⁣EURneffy is a promising dev...
01/08/2025

For the first time, a needle-free option to treat anaphylaxis has been approved by the MHRA!
⁣
EURneffy is a promising development for patients who feel anxious about using adrenaline injectors, and it could make treatment more accessible and less intimidating for many.
⁣
As part of the BSACI expert group, I contributed to the UK guidance around EURneffy. While we're hopeful about its future role, more real-world data is still needed to fully understand how effective it is during severe allergic reactions.
⁣
👉 For now, adrenaline autoinjectors remain the first-line emergency treatment, especially for children. But EURneffy can be considered in specific cases, such as:
• In hospital settings (e.g. food challenges)
• When an injector is refused, and the alternative is no treatment at all
• Alongside a backup injector
⁣
This is a big step forward for allergy care, and I’ll continue to keep you updated as new evidence emerges.

28/07/2025

Are you struggling with allergies to pollen, pets, or house dust mites? 🤧

There is a proven treatment that goes beyond just managing symptoms, called sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), which could completely eliminate the symptoms.

Many of my patients experience a dramatic improvement and significantly enhance their quality of life. If you would like to find out more, don’t hesitate to pop me a message!

If you or your child are living with eczema or very dry, sensitive skin, you’ll know how important it is to find skincar...
24/07/2025

If you or your child are living with eczema or very dry, sensitive skin, you’ll know how important it is to find skincare that’s both gentle and effective.

One product I often recommend to people is Balmonds Skincare - a 100% natural, fragrance-free range designed to help soothe, protect, and support the skin barrier.

✔️ Steroid-free
✔️ Safe for babies, children and adults
✔️ Helps lock in moisture and calm irritation

While it’s not a replacement for medical treatment, it can be a helpful addition to your eczema management routine.

As always, speak to your GP or allergist if you’re unsure whether a product is right for you!

Positive allergy test… but no reaction when eating? It could be a false positive!🧪 Skin prick and IgE blood tests can st...
18/07/2025

Positive allergy test… but no reaction when eating? It could be a false positive!

🧪 Skin prick and IgE blood tests can stay positive long after a child has outgrown their food allergy — causing poor nutrition, growth issues and anxiety over eating.

That’s where the Conjunctival Provocation Test (CPT) comes in.

👁️ By placing a tiny drop of diluted allergen into the lower eyelid, we can check for signs of reaction without needing to eat the food.

It’s quick, safe, and may offer an earlier window to reintroduce foods, especially in children with mild or unclear allergy history.

While it’s not yet common in the UK, CPT may become an important step before oral food challenges.

As always, feel free to ask any questions!

As pollen counts rise and windows stay open longer, I’m often asked whether air purifiers are worth it for those sufferi...
10/07/2025

As pollen counts rise and windows stay open longer, I’m often asked whether air purifiers are worth it for those suffering with allergies like hay fever, asthma, or allergic rhinitis.

Yes, they can be helpful but it is important to know how they work and what to look for when buying one.

If you or your child struggles with airborne allergens, this may be a useful addition to your allergy management particularly in high-pollen months.

Let me know if you’ve tried one and noticed a difference? 🤧

07/07/2025

Did you know that eczema can flare up during hay fever season? 🌿😣

For many children and adults with eczema, exposure to airborne allergens like pollen doesn’t just trigger sneezing, it can also worsen dry, itchy, inflamed skin.

✅ Treating hay fever symptoms effectively with antihistamines or nasal sprays can help reduce eczema flares.

If your hay fever is severe or long-standing, it may be worth discussing the option of sublingual immunotherapy.

Feel free to get in touch: https://www.thechildrensallergy.co.uk/contact/

07/07/2025

It was an absolute pleasure to sit down with Stacey Forsey on the Education Stage at the Allergy & Free From Show.

We had an open and honest conversation about her family’s journey with allergies and navigating her daughter’s allergies.

Stacey’s story is one that so many parents can relate to, and her perspective as both a mum and an advocate brought such value to the discussion. Thank you for sharing your experience and for helping others feel less alone in theirs!

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Wednesday 9am - 5pm

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+447949990798

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https://allerpack.co.uk/

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