Ask the doctor - allergies

Help with hay fever misery

I suffer from hay fever every year but I’ve heard there’s a new tablet out, which could cure me. Is it too good to be true?

The medicine you’re talking about sounds like it might be Grazax, which helps only if your hay fever symptoms are caused by grass pollen. To know for certain, you’ll need to have a skin prick test called a RAST test, but experiencing symptoms between May and August is a useful clue. (By contrast, if your symptoms are caused by an allergy to tree pollens, they tend to be worse between March and May.) At the moment, Grazax is usually available only from a specialist, so will be reserved for people who have severe symptoms and can’t get relief from treat-ments such as antihistamine tablets or nasal sprays. If you fall into this category, Grazax may help. You need to start taking it at least two months before ‘your’ hay fever season, so it’s worth talking to your doctor now.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, Good Housekeeping
 

How serious is a peanut allergy?

My sister has a peanut allergy and seems obsessive about it. She refuses to be in the same room as a bowl of peanuts. Is she being unnecessarily alarmist?My sister has a peanut allergy and seems obsessive about it. She refuses to be in the same room as a bowl of peanuts. Is she being unnecessarily alarmist?

Sadly, she probably isn’t. True peanut allergy can be fatal and in extreme cases you don’t need to eat or touch the nuts to react – you can just breathe in particles. While such extreme cases are rare, never knowing when you might have a life-threatening allergic reaction is very stressful, so her caution is understandable.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, Good Housekeeping

How can I protect my children?

I keep reading about kids getting infections or becoming allergic to things. Should I keep my children away from dirt, pets or other children in order to try to protect them? 

The number of young people, and adults, with allergic conditions like asthma, food allergy and eczema does seem to be growing. However, a recent study should put your mind at rest. It showed that youngsters (under 18 months) who lived on a farm, had pets or had lots of contact with other children were actually less likely to get allergies (in this case, eczema) later in life.

Personally, I'm a great believer in exposing children to a certain number of infections when they're young, as in the first few years of life, diseases like glandular fever and chickenpox are often quite mild. Every time your child gets an infection and fights it off, their immune system develops resistance to that disease. This doesn't apply to children with weakened immune systems, though, and for the rest, I still wouldn't use this as a licence to pick up dog mess on a regular basis! So as a rule of thumb, don't get too upset about them cuddling the cat or playing in the mud - but if allergies run in your family, it would be wise to have a chat with your doctor about the best way to proceed.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, Good Housekeeping
 

Hayfever problems

I’ve suffered from hayfever in June or July for years now, but this year my symptoms began in April. Why is this?

The timing of hayfever usually depends on what you're allergic to - grass pollen tends to cause symptoms between May and July. If you've suffered earlier than usual, pollen counts may have been high or you might have become sensitised to tree pollens, which cause symptoms between March and May. Fortunately, your usual treatment should work for this kind of allergy, too.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, Good Housekeeping

Allergic to strawberries?

Last summer I developed a rash, which my GP said was a result of eating strawberries. Of course, I won’t be eating them again (even though I love them), but am I likely to come up against the same problem with any other food?

It sounds as if you had a problem called urticaria, also known as hives. There are two main kinds - acute urticaria, which is often triggered by an allergy (and which lasts from a few hours to six weeks), and chronic urticaria, which lasts longer. Four in five people never find out the cause, but among the most common culprits are strawberries, shellfish, eggs and food colouring, a reaction to medicines such as aspirin and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or an allergy to materials like nickel, latex or perfume. Although it's rare, urticaria can occasionally be associated with painful swelling around your mouth and throat. If this happens, get medical help immediately.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, Good Housekeeping
 

How can I get calcium without eating dairy?

My mother suffers from osteoporosis so I’ve always taken calcium supplements. Now I’m 45, I am especially aware of the problem as I approach the menopause. I’m allergic to dairy products so I can’t get calcium that way. What else can I do?

Bones need calcium to grow and stay strong so it is essential that you get enough. Osteoporosis tends to affect women after the menopause, when oestrogen levels fall.

A recent study reveals that the body is more efficient at using the calcium from food as opposed to calcium from supplements, although pills are still effective. But supplements differ in how well their calcium can be absorbed, which is obviously crucial. Calcium carbonate tablets, such as Holland & Barrett Absorbable Calcium with Vitamin D 500mg (100 tablets £6.49; www.hollandandbarrett.com), must be taken with meals, whereas calcium citrate tablets, such as Nature’s Remedy Calcium Citrate with Vitamin D (120 tablets £11.99; www.naturesremedy.co.uk), don’t need to be taken with food.
Calcium-rich, non-dairy foods include canned salmon and sardines, white and brown bread, and green leafy vegetables. Keep taking the supplements, but top up your diet with plenty of calcium-rich foods too. The National Osteoporosis Society ( www.nos.org.uk; 0845 450 0230) can advise you.
Dr Louise Selby, SHE
 

Itching to know about allergies

I suffer from skin allergies and hay fever. Recently I heard that using biological washing powders and facial scrubs might be the cause. Can this be true? I’ve always thought that allergies were something you were born with.

Allergies can run in families, but that’s not the whole story. The UK has one of the highest rates of allergy in the world – and figures are rising. One in three people in Britain suffer some form of allergy in their lifetime. Many scientists believe that modern homes are too clean, which in turn makes our immune system sensitive and prone to allergy. However, a recent UK study challenged this belief. Researchers now argue that skin scrubs and strong soaps are to blame because they strip the skin’s protective layer, allowing allergens to penetrate the body.

The truth is, experts are unsure why certain individuals suffer while others don’t, but it’s clear that products such as bubble bath, soaps and lotions can cause an allergic response in some people. If you do suffer adverse reactions, use a water-based emollient, such as Boots Skin Therapy Aqueous Cream, £4.49 200ml (www.boots.com), which is a good moisturiser and can also be used instead of soap. Wear cotton clothes and avoid getting too hot or cold. Non-biological washing powder may be gentler on your skin than other kinds, and don’t use fabric softener. Your doctor may also advise a steroid cream for eczema. Contact Allergy UK (www.allergyuk.org; 01322 619898) for further advice.
Dr Louise Selby, SHE

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The answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone and are not substitutes for professional medical advice. If you're worried, see your GP. For more information, visit www.netdoctor.co.uk