Anaphylaxis Campaign

Supporting people at risk of severe allergies

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Two young girls from St Ninian’s High School, show extreme courage as they take centre stage and host presentations to fellow pupils and teachers about living with allergies.

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Living with allergies isn’t something you should be concerned about talking to others about. In fact, being open and talking about the allergies you are living with could make things easier. The more people who have knowledge of the day to day struggles and the potentially fatal consequences, the better it will be for everyone. This is certainly something two brave young girls from St Ninian’s High school in East Renfrewshire thought.

Martha, aged 12 who has an allergy to peanuts and Holly, aged 17 who has allergies to milk (protein), nuts and avocado showed extreme courage as they spoke about their allergies to fellow pupils and teachers. The girls felt it was important to share their daily experiences and knowledge. The aim was to raise awareness and to educate the people around them about severe allergies, in the hope that anyone living with allergies would feel a little safer and less embarrassed.

The presentation covered a variety of facts from; what is an allergy, how allergic reactions happen, common allergens, symptoms, and treatment including medication and how to use it. They even had a few willing volunteers to demonstrate how to administer an adrenaline auto-injector using a training device. On top of the facts, they also spoke about understanding the effect of teasing has on young people. They showed their peers how to help instead – for example helping their friends remember their kit. A short video produced by Aimmune Therapeutics, “Leo’s story” was included to help the pupils understand how hard it is to live with an allergy.

Martha says, “I was being teased and so were some of my friends with severe allergies. I wanted people to realise that this isn’t a joke and it doesn’t define all of me. I hoped that if people understood how serious allergies can be, then they wouldn’t tease.”

Holly says, “Many of the teachers were impressed with the delivery and they were glad we did the talk and I personally feel more confident, and safer.”

It is important to understand how teasing can be upsetting but to tease someone about a medical condition cannot be excused.

The support the girls had from family members, friends, and teachers at St Ninian’s High School was amazing. Offers of help and encouragement came throughout the process. Paula, Martha’s mother, who is a volunteer for the Anaphylaxis Campaign, downloaded our Schools Allergy Awareness Resource Pack, which formed the base of the presentation.

Mr. John Docherty, Head Teacher said “Martha and Holly’s presentation was excellent and very well received by all pupils and staff. It was clearly on a subject that was very personal to them and their passion was evident for all to see. The presentation was extremely informative about the signs of anaphylaxis and what to do should you be with someone who has an allergy. We are very proud of both Holly and Martha who showed exceptional leadership of their peers and teachers.”

Before the presentation, the general knowledge of allergies and their effects was very low amongst the pupils. The girls aim to educate fellow pupils was a real success as their presentation was well received with lots of positive feedback. Comments included; “very educational, I understand that teasing can result in less confidence and we have the necessary information to quickly and safely respond in an emergency”. Due to this positive and well-executed presentation, the schools have also asked for Paula to hold separate presentations for all the staff.

One 12-year-old pupil said: “I really enjoyed the presentation as it taught me how to possibly save a friends life if they have anaphylaxis and I didn’t know that you could be allergic to such a wide range of products”

Not everyone will feel that doing presentations to large groups is within their reach, but even talking to their friends or people they hang around with goes a long way to achieving great awareness. Both Martha and Holly not only feel a sense of achievement but also feel safer in the school environment knowing that the pupils around them understand the seriousness of allergies and how to help in an emergency.

“We are so proud of them for their courage but also that they have shown other young people who are just as self-conscious and embarrassed that they can be confident, brave and unashamed.” Said Paula McMahon, Martha’s mother.

Both the girls believe that you must try to be confident in talking to other people about your allergy. People can’t help or understand if they don’t know about severe allergies. Always carry your kit with you, it can save your life and don’t let it hold you back.

Valentine’s day romantic traditions pose deadly threats to lovers with severe allergies

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As the 14th February approaches, love is in the air.

For people living with a severe allergy, this innocent annual celebration can lead to unpleasant and potentially serious consequences with a not so romantic trip in an ambulance to the nearest hospital.

Valentine’s day is a day for love, romance gifts, and activities. Maybe flowers, chocolates, a candlelit dinner, stolen kisses, and embraces, but people with severe allergies still need to stay vigilant and careful.

To ensure cupid’s arrow hits the right spot on Valentine’s Day, please be aware of these potential risks;

  • Relationships:  We advise that you talk to your partner and remind them of your allergies in advance and equally to ask if your partner has any allergies
  • Meals out:  It is important that you make your allergies known to the staff and management of the restaurant and food outlets
  • Takeaway meals: Make sure you always ask about the ingredients and allergens in dishes and double check when the food arrives that it is free from your allergen
  • Kissing:  allergens can remain in the saliva for several hours (2-24 hrs) and brushing teeth before kissing may not get rid of them effectively
  • Condoms: These can pose a real risk to people with latex and, also milk allergies
  • Chocolates:  Nut and milk risk and possibly soya
  • Flowers:  Some individuals may be allergic to pollen commonly found in trees, grasses, and weeds – but also flowers. In individuals with allergy and asthma, inhalation of pollen can trigger asthma symptoms and could bring on an attack
  • Adrenaline auto-injector: ensure you are always carrying two in date AAIs with you
  • Perfumes: Food ingredients, such as oils, can also turn up in non-food products including cosmetics, toiletries, medicines and bath and massage oils.

Lynne Regent, Chief Executive Officer of the Anaphylaxis Campaign said; “Severe, life-threatening allergy is often underestimated or even completely ignored when it comes to annual special occasions.  We want to raise awareness of this issue and, also let severe allergy patients know our tips and advice to enjoy these events safely.”

If you have a severe allergy, be aware of the risks, be careful, but above all enjoy yourself!

We have more information and advice about eating out when you have a food allergy on our website here.

If you have any concerns or questions, please contact our helpline team at [email protected] or call 01252 542 029.

Companies that produce food for vegans are facing an interesting allergy-related dilemma

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The question arises where a product made for vegans is made on a line on which non-vegan foods are also produced – products that contain ingredients such as milk, egg or fish.

The problem here is that adding an allergy warning – ‘may contain’ milk, egg or fish – could deter many vegans from buying such products. But if there is no warning, then people with allergies could be placed at risk. There is no point in arguing that people with very severe food allergies will be well-informed enough about cross-contamination issues to be suspicious of vegan products. Not all people with allergies have that degree of understanding.

However difficult the problem is for producers of vegan foods, it is our view that ‘may contain’ statements must always be present whenever there is a genuine risk of allergen cross-contact. This may annoy both vegans and people with food allergies. The latter will probably conclude that the companies concerned are just ‘covering their backs’.

On its website, the Vegan Society makes it clear it is not against foods labelled as vegan also carrying a ‘may contain’ warning about animal allergens. To encourage manufacturers to give a serious commitment to avoiding cross-contamination with animal ingredients, the Vegan Trademark licence agreement asks companies to confirm that they strive to minimise cross-contamination from animal substances used in non-vegan products as far as is reasonably practicable.

As everyone in the industry knows, precautionary allergen labelling (PAL) is not a legal requirement but is necessary where any product poses a real risk. It is our view that a thorough risk assessment should be undertaken before any decision about PAL is made. The problem here, of course, is that food industry regulators have not yet provided clarity on thresholds (that is, the amount of allergen below which the risk of an allergic reaction is negligible). Although scientists have reached clear conclusions on the thresholds for certain individual foods, the industry has not yet received guidance on action levels they need to use to keep cross-contact below those levels and avoid the need for PAL.

The issue is a matter for the regulatory authorities to attend to. The thresholds proposed need to be reviewed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the FSA in the UK before they can be adopted into official guidance. Stakeholders are actively working to ensure that the European Commission gives this matter a high priority.

For now, we advise that companies producing food for vegans should bite the bullet and realise that PAL is necessary where food products pose a genuine risk.

 

Links

FSA guidance on allergen management and consumer information: www.reading.ac.uk/foodlaw/label/allergens-maycontain-2006.pdf

Food and Drink Europe guidance on food allergen management: https://www.fooddrinkeurope.eu/uploads/publications_documents/Guidance_on_Food_Allergen_Management.pdf

CIEH/TiFSiP white paper on improving the use of ‘may contain’ allergen statements: https://www.cieh.org/media/1234/lmproving-the-use-of-may-contain-allergen-statements.pdf

Vegan Society statements on allergens: https://www.vegansociety.com/resources/nutrition-and-health/allergen-labelling-0