Urgent Allergy Alert. People who have a peanut allergy to avoid consuming foods or drinks that contain or may contain mustard, mustard powder or mustard flour as it may have been contaminated with peanuts.  Read our news story: food.gov.uk/news-alerts/news… food.gov.uk/news-alerts/news…

This important research has been published by colleagues at Imperial College in London, using huge primary care databases to look at the changes in rates of #foodallergy in the 10 year period from 2008 to 2018. Allergy London’s Professor @DrAdamFox talks about this further and shares: “We already know from previous work from this group, looking at the same period, that it saw a very significant increase in the number of severe allergic reactions presenting to A&E departments. This new data reveals some remarkable findings... 1️⃣A marked increase in the number of people suffering from food allergy, with the main increase being in pre-school children. Overall, the prevalence of food allergy increased from 0.4% of the population in 2008 to 1.1% in 2018 with the highest prevalence of 4.0% in pre-school children in 2018. 0.7% of adults had a food allergy in 2018. 2️⃣Worryingly, in those with previous food anaphylaxis, only 58.3% of the children and young people and 54.8% had a prescription for adrenaline autoinjector. This is in direct contradiction of NICE guidelines for managing those at risk of anaphylaxis. Adrenaline autoinjectors prescription was less common in those resident in more deprived areas suggesting important health inequalities. 3️⃣Also of concern, 88.4% of food allergy were patients managed exclusively in primary care, meaning they have likely limited access to new treatment options or specialist dietetic or psychological input.”

A comment from Allergy London’s Professor @DrAdamFox following the inquest into the tragic death of Hannah Jacobs. “This statement from the mother of Hannah Jacobs, who tragically died from anaphylaxis to milk was desperately sad but incredibly important. Frustratingly, it highlighted the same key messages that have come from so many other such inquests and with each one, our failure to act on the findings becomes increasingly difficult to accept. The key messages relate to failings in food retail where training is still seen as a tick box exercise but not translated into the careful allergen management that is needed as well as a need for better awareness around identifying and managing severe reactions with ready access to and prompt use of adrenaline. We look forward to hearing more detail and the coroner's Prevention of Future Deaths report.” #foodallergy #foodallergyawareness #aai #epipen #jext #kidswithfoodallergies#anaphylaxis

One more #letter published in the #PAI_Journal in the July issue entitled “Anaphylaxis during #OIT and its impact on #treatmentadherence: A #retrospectivestudy” You can read it here: 🔗 doi.org/10.1111/pai.14200 #Anaphylaxis #OralImmunotherapy #foodallergy #oralAllergySyndrome

It was very encouraging to see that just yesterday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved #Neffy, a nasal epinephrine device, which allows for adrenaline to be administered by simply squirting it up the nose (in the event of a severe allergic reaction). This device appears to offer the same effectiveness as delivering an intramuscular injection with an auto-injector (with UK brands being EpiPen or Jext). Allergy London’s Professor @DrAdamFox talks more about this in this video. Some further key points from Prof. Adam Fox: 1️⃣Managing anaphylaxis is challenging because many people carry EpiPens or Jext but are often hesitant to use them, especially if they have a fear of needles. 2️⃣The European Medicines Agency had already approved this nasal device in July, which is positive news for the UK. 3️⃣The nasal Neffy (epinephrine) device still requires approval from the UK's MHRA, with potential availability in early to mid-next year. 4️⃣The new device offers a longer shelf life compared to current adrenaline auto-injectors and will provide an additional option for managing anaphylaxis in medical practice.

Grass and tree pollens are not the only cause of #hayfever symptoms: weeds are also common culprits! ⁠ For more information on mugwort and nettle allergy, along with ways to reduce exposure to #pollen 👉bit.ly/3AcWLy0 ⁠ #weedpollen

This is a good time to remind ourselves that while suggestive of allergy, the presence of allergy (IgE) antibodies does not prove the clinical diagnosis of allergy. Reacting to a food or drug is more diagnostic than a “positive” allergy test alone.

#BSACI2024: Just 1 week to register at the earlybird discounted rate. Read the programme and register by 29th July. Book your tickets for the Welcome Reception, Gala Dinner, and the 5K Fun Run at the same time. bsaciconference.org