Coping with a child's allergies can cause significant stress for parents, with concerns heightened by the constant vigilance needed to prevent their child's contact with potentially dangerous allergens. According to Allergy UK, an estimated 40-50% of the nation's children have at least one diagnosed allergy.
The range of allergic conditions spans from allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis to allergic asthma, atopic eczema, food allergies, sensitivities to latex, insect venom, drugs, and even potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis. With Allergy Awareness Week here (April 22-28), one mother with firsthand experience of managing her child's allergies is offering her wisdom to others facing similar challenges.
Lancashire-based mum Kirsty Henshaw, aged 39, was confronted with her son Jacob's severe nut allergy and intolerances to gluten and dairy following his anaphylactic reaction at six months old. While initially overwhelmed, she harnessed her determination to formulate strategies for a better handle on the situation, ultimately founding Kirsty's, her very own brand of healthy allergen-free ready meals.
1. Not all children grow out of allergies
Many children outgrow their allergies to milk or eggs, but some allergies can last a lifetime, according to the NHS website. "There is a lot of noise around children growing out of allergies, this is sadly not always the case," says Henshaw.
"They can also worsen with age. My son's dairy allergy gradually diminished, but his nut allergy has got worse and his reactions to traces have intensified throughout his teens."
2. Check the use-by date of EpiPens
"Always make sure you have at least one EpiPen," advises Henshaw. "Keep an eye on the discolouration and the use-by dates to ensure you always have an effective pair of pens with you."
3. Research a restaurant’s menu
"Larger chains often have the best allergen-safe menus and capabilities to ensure safety," says Henshaw. "Pizza Express is a great example of a chain that has an in-depth menu highlighting all its allergens and 'may contain' ingredients across every item on the menu."
4. Alert the airline about your child’s allergy
"Check before you fly and always alert the airline," advises Henshaw. "There have been too many very sad examples of allergic reactions suffered on aeroplanes.
"However, it's reassuring to know that some airlines, such as British Airways, do not allow nuts in any of their in-flight meals and they are working hard to cater for all allergens in the near future. Many of the other airlines have, or will be, following suit.
5. Take extra care when abroad
"When travelling abroad, take extra care with labels as the labelling regulations are not always as strict as they are in the UK," says Henshaw. "By law, food must state allergens in bold or underlined on packaging here, but unfortunately the same rules do not apply worldwide.
"Be extra vigilant, triple check ingredients and use Google Translate in restaurants to ensure the waiter/waitress has fully understood your dietary requirements.
6. Be aware of reactions
"Secondary allergic reactions exist and can be worse than the initial acute reaction," Henshaw points out. "A second anaphylactic reaction, known as a biphasic reaction, can occur as long as 12-24 hours after the initial reaction.
"Unfortunately, reaction severity is unpredictable and therefore it's so important you or your child are not left alone following an initial reaction.
7. Don’t disregard labels
"'May contain' really does mean 'may contain'," Henshaw warns. "While manufacturers go to great lengths to minimise cross-contamination risk, it still does occur and it is almost impossible to completely avoid sometimes.
"Often a manufacturing line will produce 20 different products - even with thorough cleaning, some allergens are airborne, so it's virtually impossible to get rid of every trace.
8. Get support
"Upon discovering your child has an allergy, it can feel extremely overwhelming and isolating," acknowledges Henshaw. "But, there are support groups, social media pages, food shows, delicious free-from foods and an array of cookery books out there, so do seek support from others."
