Children's Allergy

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

For parents of children with food allergies, school can be a source of anxiety.The proposed changes under Benedict's Law...
18/06/2026

For parents of children with food allergies, school can be a source of anxiety.

The proposed changes under Benedict's Law would require schools to have allergy policies, provide staff training, and have adrenaline auto-injectors available.

These measures have strong support across the allergy community and could help improve safety for children at risk of severe allergic reactions.

Many experts also believe that guidance alone isn't enough. To ensure every child is protected, schools need consistent standards and the resources to implement them properly.

The Government consultation on allergy safety in schools is now open ahead of proposed changes in September 2026.

15/06/2026

Not every allergic reaction after eating fish is actually caused by the fish itself. There is a parasite called Anisakis that can be found in fish, and in some people, it can trigger allergic reactions.

This is particularly important if:
🐟You've reacted to fish or sushi.
🐟Your allergy tests for fish came back negative.
🐟 Your symptoms seem to happen more often with raw or undercooked fish.

In these cases, it may be worth considering whether Anisakis allergy could be the cause.

The good news is that the parasite is killed by proper freezing and cooking, which means some people with Anisakis allergy may tolerate fish that has been correctly prepared.

If you've been told your fish allergy tests are negative, but you're still experiencing reactions, this is a conversation worth having with your allergy specialist.

Food allergies aren't always as straightforward as they seem!

Did you know around 43% of people in Japan now suffer from moderate to severe hay fever?🤧One reason may be a large-scale...
13/06/2026

Did you know around 43% of people in Japan now suffer from moderate to severe hay fever?🤧

One reason may be a large-scale reforestation programme after World War II, during which millions of cedar and cypress trees were planted.
These trees produce huge amounts of pollen, and over time large areas became dominated by them.

Hay fever is also much more than just sneezing.
For many people, it can affect sleep, concentration, exercise, work and school performance for months at a time.

As pollen seasons become longer, more people are noticing symptoms and experiencing them for longer.

Have you found your hay fever has got worse over the years?

12/06/2026

Not every allergic reaction after eating fish is actually caused by the fish itself. There is a parasite called Anisakis that can be found in fish, and in some people, it can trigger allergic reactions.

This is particularly important if:
🐟You've reacted to fish or sushi.
🐟Your allergy tests for fish came back negative.
🐟 Your symptoms seem to happen more often with raw or undercooked fish.

In these cases, it may be worth considering whether Anisakis allergy could be the cause.

The good news is that the parasite is killed by proper freezing and cooking, which means some people with Anisakis allergy may tolerate fish that has been correctly prepared.

If you've been told your fish allergy tests are negative, but you're still experiencing reactions, this is a conversation worth having with your allergy specialist.

Food allergies aren't always as straightforward as they seem!

07/06/2026

Most people know about fish allergy, but far fewer have heard of an allergy to fish eggs (roe) 🐟

Recently, a patient asked me whether they could eat fish eggs despite having a fish allergy.
The answer isn't always straightforward.

A protein called vitellogenin is found in eggs, including fish roe, and can trigger allergic reactions in some people.
While there can be cross-reactivity between fish and fish roe, it doesn't affect everyone in the same way.

This is particularly relevant if you enjoy sushi, where fish roe can often be hidden in dishes you might not expect.

If you've reacted to fish roe or have a fish allergy and aren't sure whether fish eggs are safe for you, allergy testing can help provide answers.

Have you ever heard of a fish roe allergy?

Food Immunotherapy is giving some families another option.The goal of food immunotherapy is to gradually increase tolera...
02/06/2026

Food Immunotherapy is giving some families another option.

The goal of food immunotherapy is to gradually increase tolerance and reduce the risk of severe reactions from accidental exposure. It is important to understand that this is not considered a cure.

There are TWO main approaches:
OIT (Oral Immunotherapy)
✔️ Allergen is given in very small amounts.
✔️ Doses are slowly increased over time.
✔️ Can achieve strong desensitisation.
✔️ Side effects can occur.

SLIT (Sublingual Immunotherapy)
✔️Allergen is placed under the tongue.
✔️Much lower doses are used.
✔️Often associated with fewer side effects.
✔️Becoming increasingly available.

The best approach depends on the child, family, and clinical history.

29/05/2026

Many parents are surprised to learn that eczema and food allergy can be closely linked, especially in babies and young children with moderate to severe eczema.

Research shows that babies with eczema have a higher risk of developing food allergies, and the more severe the eczema, the greater that risk may be.

One reason for this may be the skin barrier itself. When the skin is inflamed and damaged, allergens can potentially sensitise through the skin before a food is ever eaten.

Some signs parents may notice can include:
👉Eczema flaring around certain foods.
👉Reactions after eating.
👉Eczema that persists despite good skincare and treatment.

That said, not all eczema is caused by food allergy and removing foods unnecessarily can sometimes do more harm than good, particularly in growing children.

We now also know that the early introduction of allergens is encouraged for many children and may help reduce the risk of allergies.

If you are concerned your child may have a food allergy linked to eczema, it’s important to seek professional advice rather than trialling restrictive diets alone.

Food allergy advice has changed, and many parents are still hearing outdated guidance.We used to recommend delaying food...
25/05/2026

Food allergy advice has changed, and many parents are still hearing outdated guidance.

We used to recommend delaying foods like peanuts and eggs. We now know that delaying allergens may increase the risk of food allergy in some children.

Current guidance supports:
✔️ Starting solids around 6 months.
✔️ Introducing allergens early during weaning.
✔️ Continuing to offer them regularly as part of a balanced diet.

For babies with eczema or an existing food allergy, earlier introduction may sometimes be recommended with medical guidance.

If you’re unsure about introducing allergens, speak to your healthcare professional for personalised advice.

22/05/2026

Could cucumbers help build tolerance to peanut allergy? 🥒

Researchers are using a protein found in cucumber peel to create virus-like particles which are structures that mimic a virus but contain no genetic material and can't replicate.

The idea is to attach the key peanut allergen Ara h 2 to these particles and present it to the immune system in a way that encourages tolerance rather than a reaction.

It's still early research but it's one of the most interesting directions I've seen in food allergy immunotherapy in a while.

I'll be sharing updates as the evidence develops!

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