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Category: Allergies

Hosting an Allergy-Friendly Christmas Dinner: A Complete Guide

Posted on by Dr. Joseph Nightingale, MBBS, MSc

Inviting all your family and friends for Christmas dinner is always fun, if a little exhausting. People expect the turkey, roast potatoes, and veggies. But it’s not that simple. Some people like beef as well as turkey, others consider Brussell sprouts the worst vegetables, and then, there are people with food allergies.

Unlike simple food preferences, allergies come with a higher risk. Even preparing the foods together carries the risk of an allergic reaction. Dealing with this problem can feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to.

With the right tips and tricks, you can host an allergy-friendly Christmas dinner with all the trimmings and festivities (and without the stress). Here’s how.

Consider the Biggest Allergy Risks

What foods pose the biggest allergy risks? Some are obvious. If a vegetarian requests a nut roast, it’s likely to be a risk to anyone with nut allergies. Unfortunately, not all Christmas-related allergies are so obvious. Here are some to consider:

  • Nuts – Desserts, stuffing, nut roasts, oils.
  • Gluten – Stuffing, bread, gravy, desserts.
  • Dairy – Potatoes, sauces, desserts, chocolates.
  • Eggs – Puddings, cakes, custards.
  • Shellfish – Prawn cocktails, seafood starters.
  • Alcohol – Sauces, puddings, trifles.
  • Soy – Processed foods, gravies, desserts.
  • Sesame – Bread, crackers, spreads.
  • Mustard – Sauces, dressings, marinades.
  • Celery – Soups, stocks, stuffing.
  • Fish – Sauces, pâtés.
  • Sulphites – Dried fruits, wines, processed foods.
  • Chocolate – Milk, nuts, soy.
  • Meat Substitutes – Nuts, soy, gluten.
  • Coconut – Vegan dishes, desserts.

Remember, these are just the food-based allergens. Anyone with an alcohol sensitivity should be aware of certain chocolate and hidden forms of alcohol. Meanwhile, even the Christmas Tree can trigger asthma flare-ups and other respiratory allergies (known as “Christmas Tree Syndrome”).

Ask Your Guests

Nobody knows their allergies like your guests. If you’re struggling to remember who’s allergic to what, send an email or message asking them to RSVP with their dietary requirements. You could also ask for recipe ideas.

For example, if someone has a dairy allergy, you could ask for their dairy-free mashed potatoes recipe (or just stick with roasts). Your guests will have a clear idea of what they can and can’t eat, providing helpful advice and recipes to follow. It’s just one more weight off your mind.

Think About Your Food Prep

Hosting an allergy-friendly Christmas dinner is 80% prep and 20% action. One of the biggest risks to people with allergies is cross-contamination. It involves other foods coming into contact with the allergen due to residues on utensils and surfaces – even sharing an oven can be a risk.

Plan out your meal ahead of time. Ask yourself what needs to go in the oven and when. During the prep stages, it’s also important to be strict about using different chopping boards and knives to prepare allergen-free food. Keep a bowl of hot, soapy water ready to wash the surfaces and utensils immediately after preparing the trigger food.

Bring Your Own Food

Still struggling to come up with ideas for an allergy-friendly Christmas dinner? Or maybe you’ve planned the logistics and realised it’s impossible to cook everything without risking contamination? Whatever the reason, don’t be afraid to ask guests to bring their own dishes. After all, it’s only likely to be one or two things they can’t eat.

You can rest easy knowing the allergy aspect is covered, letting you concentrate on getting the rest of the dinner right for everyone else. It also means that you don’t have to do two versions of certain dishes. This is also the best option if there are two or more allergies at your Christmas dinner table.

Be Wary of Dessert

Dessert is something of a minefield – and one that gets forgotten. If you’re focused on cooking an allergy-friendly Christmas dinner, it’s easy to forget about the allergy risks in the puddings. Everything from Christmas pudding to the humble mince pie can pose a risk.

Eggs, chocolate, nuts, gluten, and more are all present in Christmas desserts. Plus, there are the niche ingredients you don’t see throughout the year. Always read the labels on desserts carefully. The allergens should be listed in bold writing.

If you’re making your own, that simplifies things. You can find allergy-free recipes of all the Christmas favourites online.

Take an Allergy Test

Hosting an allergy-friendly Christmas dinner doesn’t have to be stressful. The secret to success lies in understanding specific triggers for you or your guests. The Essential Allergy Test from Lifelab Testing is designed to identify reactions to 38 common allergens, including dairy, nuts, eggs, gluten, and more.

This easy-to-use home testing kit provides reliable insights by analysing a small blood sample. You’ll receive detailed results within just 3–5 days, allowing you to plan your festive feast with confidence. Knowing which allergens to avoid helps reduce the risk of reactions and ensures everyone can enjoy the festivities worry-free.

Why leave things to chance? Take control of your holiday planning today and make this Christmas safe, inclusive, and memorable for everyone at the table.

How Allergies Can Develop Over Time

Posted on by Donna Mastriani

Can allergies develop in adulthood? The short answer is yes. The standard narrative about allergies is that they primarily begin early in childhood and either resolve by the time we reach adulthood or else become much less severe.

But that’s not an accurate picture – allergies can develop in adults, worsen, or stay exactly the same. In fact, allergies appear to be on the rise due to a combination of genetic, environmental, and immunological factors.

Managing allergies requires an understanding of these causes and why allergies can worsen or develop late into adult life.

Why We Get Allergies?

What is an allergy? Allergies happen because your body flags an otherwise harmless substance, say pollen, foods, or animal dander, as a dangerous invader. As soon as it detects the “antigen” – a chemical marker – it launches a full-scale immune response. Histamine floods the bloodstream, and an allergic reaction occurs.

Allergies develop in the first place when a person is exposed to an allergen. Some people’s immune system is more trigger-happy than others, flagging the allergen and developing antibodies (IgE) in response. Then, when the allergen is present again, the reaction occurs – even if previously the person had no response.

Such a sensitisation reaction usually occurs in childhood – especially if the child isn’t exposed to a particular foodstuff. For example, peanut allergies may be increasing due to a lack of exposure to peanuts.

Common Adult Allergies

Food and environmental allergies aren’t the same. While the underlying mechanism is similar, environmental allergies are more likely to be seasonal, involve different symptoms, and are less severe. Food allergies may lead to anaphylaxis, a potentially deadly condition, while a pollen allergy does little more than cause a severe case of the sniffles.

You can suddenly find you can no longer eat prawns safely

According to the research, shellfish is the most common adult-onset food allergy. You can be 50 years or older and suddenly find you can no longer eat prawns safely.

Another potential cause is oral allergy syndrome (OAS), also known as pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS). This condition results from cross-reactivity between pollen and certain foods. Individuals with specific types of hay fever may experience symptoms when consuming certain raw fruits and vegetables due to the similarity between pollen allergens and food proteins. These symptoms usually occur only with raw foods and are primarily localised to the mouth.

Other common adult allergies include:

  • Seasonal Allergies. The most common adult-onset allergies are seasonal, triggered by pollen, ragweed, and other plant allergens that peak during certain times of the year, typically in the spring or fall.
  • Pet Allergies. Owning a cat or dog can lead to developing allergies due to constant exposure to their dander (skin flakes that become airborne) and chemicals from their urine and saliva that adhere to the dander.

Why Can Allergies Develop in Adulthood?

The short answer is we don’t know. Some evidence points to the idea that a severe allergic reaction during childhood increases your likelihood of adult-onset allergies. Moreover, so-called “atopic” individuals, i.e., those with asthma, eczema, or hay fever (allergic rhinitis), are more at risk.

Symptoms may fade in such individuals before resurging due to one of these factors:

  • Getting a pet for the first time.
  • Moving to a new home or workplace.
  • Little exposure to an allergen as a child.
  • Lower immune function, e.g., being sick, pregnant, or immunocompromised.

Three of these factors have one thing in common – lack of exposure. When your body isn’t routinely exposed to certain allergens, a new exposure increases the chance it flags it as a threat.

However, even if you develop allergies as an adult, symptoms can still fade over time. As your immune function declines, so does its trigger-happy response to allergens.

Managing Allergy Symptoms

Managing allergies fall into two parts: diagnosing the culprit and managing allergy symptoms. The first part usually involves some kind of allergy test.

Allergy tests are often quite uncomfortable, requiring direct exposure to the allergen. Skin-prick tests, for example, involve the application of an allergen to your skin. If a reaction occurs, the allergy is confirmed.

However, there is another option – an IgE allergy test. Our Complete Body Test looks for 38 allergies (and 79 intolerances) by measuring levels of IgE antibodies specific to a particular allergen in the blood. It’s a simple, affordable, and non-invasive option.

Once you’ve diagnosed the cause, managing allergy symptoms requires eliminating the offending food or environmental culprit from your life. Depending on the severity of your reaction, you should carry either antihistamines or an adrenaline auto-injector (EpiPen) to counteract symptoms should you be exposed.

Get Tested with Life Lab Testing

So, can allergies develop over time? Yes! If you suspect you’ve developed an allergy, try the Complete Body Test. It’s the gold standard for home-to-lab testing. Simply provide a pinprick blood sample using the test kit and send it to our lab. You’ll receive your results within 1 week.

That’s not all – we also provide a free 30-minute nutritional therapist session to help you understand your results and place any lifestyle changes.

Buy the Complete Body Test today and take control of your health.

Could I Have A Sugar Allergy

Posted on by Donna Mastriani

Most of us will reach for a sugar fix on a low-energy day. It’s effective, after all, and readily available. But what about if sugar doesn’t agree with your body? Sugar can be a problem ingredient for many people and even be dangerous for some. A sugar allergy isn’t as often talked about as other types of food allergies, but it is something to consider if you have a sugar issue. If you’re ready to learn why a complete body test might be what you need to help explain a sugar allergy or at least help you know what’s going on in your body, read on!

What is sugar?

Most of us assume that sugar is the white stuff that we add to tea or feed to horses in a cubed form. This is correct, of course. However, there is more than one type of sugar. There are multiple types, actually.

The different types of sugar

Some of the most common and widely consumed types of sugar include the following:

  • Sucrose
  • Fructose
  • Glucose
  • Lactose
  • Galactose
  • Maltose
  • Xylose

Of these types of sugar, fructose is the most likely problem ingredient for those that have a sugar allergy. However, it isn’t the only possibility. Understanding what’s going on from head to toe should involve a complete body test to see what your body responds well and poorly to and how to change your diet to accommodate your body’s needs.

Is a sugar allergy possible?

Now for the moment of truth. Can you be allergic to sugar? A sugar allergy is possible, but it is very rare. Statistically, it’s amongst the options on the list of rarest food allergies (right up there with vanilla and beef). However, in that small percentage of people with an actual sugar allergy, it’s a big deal. A sugar allergy is often very strong in its allergic reaction. Those allergic to sugar will most likely have more severe symptoms or even anaphylaxis.

Many veg options are loaded with sugar!

If you have a sugar allergy, you will need to know what types of sugar you are reacting to to avoid it and learn what kind of sugar-free diet works best for your health and safety. Since sugar is in so many things (we’ll touch on that shortly), it’s a good idea to consider reaching out to a nutritional specialist so that you have expert advice guiding you.

All food allergies should be taken seriously, but this is especially important since sugar allergic reactions can be very strong and severe. Who better than a “food specialist” to help you determine a safe, healthy, well-balanced diet?

Why is sugar such a problem?

So, if a sugar allergy is real but rare, why is sugar such a problematic ingredient for many people? The answer to this is sugar intolerance. Above, we listed off the many types of sugar, and it’s possible to be intolerant to all or any of those.

Food intolerances are very common, though many people live their entire lives without knowing they have them. Sugar intolerances, similar to a sugar allergy, can have strong and severe symptoms, including wheezing and shortness of breath. This is why a sugar intolerance can easily be mistaken for a sugar allergy.

Those with sugar intolerances often avoid or greatly limit their sugar intake to avoid those troublesome symptoms. Many use sugar substitutes or adjust their diets to be as reduced as possible in their sugar use.

What has sugar in it?

As mentioned above, sugar is practically everywhere. There are some obvious places, such as packets of sweets, fizzy drinks, and sauces. But some (seemingly) illogical choices can make it hard to avoid sugar without a lot of help. For example, many veg options are loaded with sugar! Cabbage, broccoli, and asparagus are all sugar-rich dinner plate staples. Since these are often nutritious sides for dinners, it can be frustrating and confusing.

Many natural foods, which are healthy for us in other ways, are loaded with sugar. Fruits and fruit-based products are a prime example of this.

Then there is the whole category of hidden sugar in processed foods. Even something like takeaway or crisps (which we associate with fat and salt) can have a terrifying amount of hidden sugar!

Determining if you do have a sugar allergy

No matter where you look, sugar is there and waiting for you. Knowing what is happening to your body is essential whether you are sugar intolerant or have an actual sugar allergy. Instead of asking yourself, “Can you be allergic to sugar?” take action and consider a complete body test. Not only can it help you get to know yourself better, but it can also help give you peace of mind to show you what to avoid.

It’s eye-opening to realize that you could be allergic to something as commonplace as sugar. It makes you think twice when you reach for the much-loved sugar fix, right? Use this as your launchpad to get accurate data about what’s going on in your body to make any changes you need for a healthy, happy life!

Symptoms, Precautions, and Embracing Egg-Free Alternatives

Posted on by Donna Mastriani

Eggs are a staple in many people’s diets. Easy to cook in many ways and perfect for protein-packed snacks, it makes total sense. However, that assumes no egg allergy. If you think you have an allergy or egg allergy symptoms, this logical and easy snack suddenly becomes inconvenient and, in some cases, downright dangerous. Here are the essential details to get familiar with when looking at your egg-related life: allergy testing, symptoms, and how to enjoy egg-free options.

Egg allergy basics

For the most part, egg allergies are most common in life. Babies and toddlers can have allergies to eggs that they later outgrow. Studies show that introducing eggs to your baby’s diet as soon as possible can reduce their chances of having an egg allergy later in life.

In many cases, egg allergy reactions and mild, and they’ll happen soon after eating the egg. While severe reactions (such as anaphylaxis) are possible, most allergies have mild symptoms, which we’ll discuss below, so you can know what to look for.

Egg allergy symptoms

As mentioned above, egg allergy symptoms are generally mild, with only the occasional severe reaction causing anaphylaxis. The most common egg allergy symptoms include:

  • Red rash
  • Swelling in the face
  • Vomiting or nausea
  • Stomach upset or cramps
  • Diarrhoea
  • Eczema flare-ups

Since these symptoms can be hard to pinpoint in foods, especially if you are introducing your baby or child to a series of new foods, you’ll want to consider allergy testing to know what the problem food is and how to avoid it.

After all, for infants, how can you tell the difference between refusing to eat an egg because they “don’t like it” and because it hurts them? Allergy testing takes the guesswork right out of it.

The egg type matters

Depending on your egg allergy, one egg type may set off an allergic reaction, and another might not. An allergic reaction to an egg is caused by the egg’s protein. If the protein is changed by heat (such as cooking), you might not have an allergic reaction to eggs.

For example, eating scrambled or boiled eggs will likely cause an allergic reaction if you have an egg allergy. However, if you eat a cookie (made partially from beating eggs into the batter), you might not have an allergic reaction. The cooking/processing of the egg in the cookie batter breaks down the protein enough that you might not have an allergic reaction. Statistically, about 80% of those with egg allergies can eat a cookie baked with eggs in the batter.

80% of those with egg allergies can eat batter with eggs

This is not always the case, of course. After getting your egg allergy diagnosis, you can test to see if eggs in a cookie batter set you off the same way a plate of fried eggs will. If you are reaction-free, you can safely eat cookies, cakes, etc. If you still find you are having an allergic reaction, it might be wiser to find an egg alternative.

Egg-free alternatives to consider

If you have a severe egg allergy or you just want to properly learn how to avoid eggs if you need to, there are plenty of egg alternatives that you can consider! Some of the most common healthy and easy egg alternatives include:

  • Ground flax seeds
  • Apple puree
  • Mashed banana
  • Chia seeds

There are plenty of recipes online and instructions for using these as egg substitutes when baking so that everyone in the household can enjoy baked goods. If you’re interested, try using these alternatives before allergy testing, or you can wait until afterward to be sure of an egg allergy before changing.

How do I know when to use an egg alternative?

If your test results tell you you have an egg allergy, it’s a good idea to at least consider learning to use an egg substitute like the ones listed above. Not only does it give you flexibility, but it also helps remove any concern that you might have an allergic reaction.

That being said, as we discussed above, you don’t have to use an egg alternative if you are among the 80% of people who can tolerate baked eggs. Most of it concerns personal preference and watching for egg allergy symptoms.

Eggs are staple ingredients in dieting, cooking, and baking. However, many people with egg allergies can still have as much flexibility as anyone else when it comes to dieting, cooking, and baking. It’s all about understanding your allergy, its symptoms, and how they make you feel, and using egg substitutes when you need or want them.

Take Charge of Your Health During World Food Safety Day

Posted on by Dr. Joseph Nightingale, MBBS, MSc

World Food Safety Day highlights the importance of food security and quality, promoting sound practices and reducing the burden of foodborne diseases globally. Food safety is all about the shared responsibility between governments, producers, and consumers.

Throughout much of the world, food safety means diseases and contamination. However, in Western nations, most of these problems have either been solved or reduced. The problem here is the rising wave of allergies and food sensitivities. It’s an underreported issue.

Thankfully, there are plenty of things you can do to take charge of this issue, from dietary adjustments to food sensitivity testing.

What is World Food Safety Day?

World Food Safety Day, observed annually on June 7th, aims to raise awareness about food safety and encourage actions to prevent, detect, and manage foodborne risks. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018, it is jointly facilitated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The day underscores the importance of food safety in ensuring food security and promoting good health.

Prevent, Detect, And Manage Foodborne Risks

The UN often uses the date to raise awareness about a particular topic, such as ‘Safe Food Now for a Healthy Tomorrow.’ However, it also serves as a general conversation starter, fostering collaboration among stakeholders and educating the wider public.

Indeed, World Food Safety Day is a fantastic opportunity to understand more about your health.

Taking Charge of Your Health

Sometimes, when we talk about health, we talk about things that happen to us, as if we’re a passive partner in the relationship. If we feel unwell, tired, or bloated, we chalk up to the way things are.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Exercise, good sleep, and a nutritious diet are the building blocks of health and well-being. Taking charge of your health means eating responsibly and making time to be active. But some people find even with the right diet and fitness regimen, they still feel… off.

Something else is going on. Being proactive with your health isn’t just about the basics. It’s about identifying symptoms and diagnosing problems – even vague, systemic symptoms like tiredness, bloating, or brain fog. They could be indicators of an underlying allergy or food sensitivity.

Understanding Allergies and Food Sensitivities

Food allergies and sensitivities are increasingly common, particularly in Western nations where other food safety issues are better controlled. Why this is happening isn’t fully understood. Various theories, ranging from antibiotic overuse to pesticides, have been suggested.

But what do we mean by food allergies and sensitivities? Let’s explain:

  1. Allergies involve the immune system reacting to certain foods, causing symptoms like hives, swelling, and potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis. Common allergens include nuts, shellfish, and dairy.
  2. Food sensitivities, or intolerances, are generally less severe and involve the digestive system. Symptoms can include bloating, gas, and fatigue, with common triggers being lactose and gluten.

While allergies are much more obvious, food sensitivities can be surprisingly subtle. It’s only after the symptoms subside that the person wonders how they ever lived with such tiredness or bloating.

Getting Tested

Food sensitivity tests can help pinpoint specific intolerances, while allergy tests can identify immune responses to certain foods. Keeping a food diary and noting reactions can also aid in identifying problems. However, without the results from food sensitivity tests, it’s hard to interpret the patterns. After all, symptoms of food sensitivities can take up to 48 hours to appear.

Once identified, managing these conditions typically involves eliminating or reducing the intake of the offending foods and finding suitable alternatives to maintain a balanced diet.

Perform a Complete Body Checkup

Want to know what’s going on inside your body? If you’ve noticed some unusual symptoms but can’t pinpoint the cause, consider taking the Complete Body Test. It tests for 38 allergens and 79 intolerances – including foods and inhalants – to give you a comprehensive picture of your body’s health.

Thanks to the complete list of tested items, it’s the best way to identify the underlying cause of your symptoms.

Getting tested is simple. When you purchase a test kit, we’ll send you everything you need to send a sample. Once we’ve received the sample, we’ll perform an expert analysis and send you the results within a week.

Alongside the results, you’ll receive a free 30-minute consultation with a nutritional therapist. You can clarify your results and ask questions about changing your diet. It’s personalised healthcare at its finest.

So, if you’ve experienced symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, headaches, swelling, rashes, itchiness, or diarrhoea, try the Complete Body Test today.

Your Guide to Healthy Christmas Presents

Posted on by Donna Mastriani

Getting the perfect gift for someone doesn’t have to be a mystery. It doesn’t even have to be difficult. You just need to know what to look for in your focus and your choice. Are you hunting for healthy Christmas presents for a loved one? If so, you’ll love the idea of getting them something personalized yet broad enough to give them a benefit, no matter their health-based lifestyle. Below, we’ll show you how complete body testing fits the bill perfectly and why it is the ultimate choice in your guide to healthy Christmas shopping.

Health and the body

Let’s dive a little bit into how you can look at health. For most of us, health involves diet and fitness. It often focuses on physical and mental health. This is true, of course, but it also goes beyond that. Health is a multifaceted part of our lives that deserves a multifaceted approach for the best result. Sometimes, the best ideas come from circumstances you might not normally consider.

Health is always a daily adventure, but you must also play the long game. The better care you take of yourself now, the better your life expectancy is about health issues and conditions. The habits that someone sets in their younger years (regardless of their age) will lead them into a future where those habits come into being. The better the habit, the better the future! Health is a fine example of this.

So, gifting healthy Christmas presents to someone with complete body testing can help them take the first step toward an in-depth look at how their body is doing. This prompts them to make changes daily to help them enjoy easier and healthier lifestyles. As you’ve likely heard before, the better you take care of your body, the better it can take care of you!

The benefits of gifting health to someone

If you like the sound of that, let’s dive deeper into what it means to literally give health to someone. These intangible benefits are impressive and brimming with positivity. Take a look and see for yourself.

Benefits Of Gifting Health Over Christmas

Help protects against diabetes, dementia, heart disease

Taking care of your health daily, weekly, and so on helps reduce the likelihood of developing chronic conditions. Some of the most common ones include diabetes, dementia, and heart disease. While no test or lifestyle can 100% guarantee protection from these health conditions forever, preventative care can help reduce their likelihood! This is especially great for those with genetic predispositions.

Can reduce the likelihood of fractures

Our bones naturally start to weaken with age. This can lead to fractures and complex fractures that require surgery and recovery. The stronger you keep your bones through a good diet and exercise, the better your likelihood of staying safe from fractures. Good health goes a long way to protect your body in those later, more vulnerable years!

Can reduce falls

Another wonderful, tangible benefit is that taking a daily approach to health means keeping muscle tone up. The stronger those muscles are, the better someone’s overall physical health will be. Keeping muscle tone as strong as possible helps prevent falls from weak joints or muscles or poor balance. This is especially great for those on your shopping list who love independence!

Testing helps them remember their priorities

When you see all of those benefits to good health, it’s simple to see why it makes such a great gift. There is another great facet to this gift idea, too. It helps your loved one remember what is most important in their life. Getting complete body testing helps them see how their bodies are doing in “real-time.” It also shows them how to take as best care of themselves as possible. Both allergies and intolerances are difficult to self-diagnose. So, the test results can help exclude and identify the reactions.

There are many different types of healthy Christmas presents that you can get for someone you love. Testing is a great choice, but you can combine that with something more tangible. For example, a cookbook for healthy, delicious meals. Or, a fitness program that you can do with them so that you both make positive changes in your lives.

One of the most exciting details about giving health to someone is that there are a million ways you can go about it and a million combinations. This will help you see how much flexibility you have when holiday shopping, and you’ll be in the perfect position to get the truly perfect gift for those special people in your life. Grab your test from Lifelab today

Unmasking Your Food Allergies: Your Halloween Allergy Survival Guide

Posted on by Donna Mastriani

There is so much excitement for little ones around the Halloween season. From dressing up as their favourite superhero or animal to getting lots of free treats, it’s a wonderful adventure. Halloween can be a challenging time of year for those with food allergies or food intolerances. Use this Halloween allergy survival guide to help you learn the basics of celebrating safely with as minimal an impact as possible. There are all sorts of tricks, including staying snack-aware and signing up for complete body testing. You can also learn how to plan your Halloween adventures with allergies in mind. Take a look at the treats below!

Snack-size treats are different from full-size treats

Mini or snack-sized treats sometimes contain different ingredients than their full-size companions. Sometimes, they are processed in a different facility or on machinery that also processes allergen-containing candy. Check the ingredients, and read the labels for everything in your child’s trick-or-treat bag. Remove treats from your child’s stash if necessary. It’s always better to be safe rather than sorry!

Do this with every candy choice you are considering. Then, list the ones that are and are not safe. You can give that list to your child, their teacher, and other caretakers. This will help them know the risks, too!

Have a treat swap with trusted friends

If you know your child will bring home allergen-containing treats, make it into a game. Explain that there are allergens in their treats, and these need to be picked out. Then, put the “bad” treats into a bag to give to a friend, family member, or the mysterious “treat fairy”. You’ll swap these for “good” treats.

If you make this a planned part of the Halloween celebration, your children will never feel cheated. It will just be part of the fun!

Treats aren’t the only possible allergens

Tips for a safe Halloween season

Below, we’ll cover how to trick-or-treat with food allergies or food intolerances. But first, take a moment to remember that Halloween comes with more than candy. It also comes with face paint, masks, and other changes to a child’s wardrobe. But, these temporary changes could contain non-food allergens or intolerances (e.g., latex).

Not sure if those will cause an issue for your child? Complete body testing can give you a full profile of problem areas. Once you have those results, carefully check your costume and food details. This way, Halloween stays safe and fun! Plus, that information will be valuable all year long.

Tips for a safe Halloween season

Now, carefully plan an evening of safe trick-or-treating! Use this Halloween allergy survival guide to help prepare and execute the perfect spooky night!

No candy testing

One of the best ways to ensure your little one doesn’t have an allergic reaction is to prevent them from snacking while they’re out. If the rule is to wait until they get home, you can safely oversee ingredient checking and be prepared to help if they do react to something.

Avoid homemade goodies

This should be the rule whether at a party, on their trick-or-treating route, or even at home after the fact. Since they can contain many possible allergens, it’s always best to avoid them. Your little one can learn how to decline homemade treats at parties. Plus, you can swap out homemade treats at home for allergen-friendly goodies instead.

Plan your route

Before Halloween night, plan your trick-or-treating route as a family and try to focus on homes/stops that serve allergen-friendly options alongside classic ones. Since more and more children have issues with food, this has become a lot more common. You can even have a neighbourhood online group where each house specifies what they put out so everyone can plan routes.

Have an allergy-aware friend

One of the most important details is to ensure that your trick-or-treater has someone with them who is aware of their allergies and will keep an eye on them when they are out. This includes watching for a reaction and knowing what to do if one were to occur. Remember that sometimes a severe allergy can be triggered by your child coming into contact with another child who has eaten something with their allergen. It is no one’s fault, but it must still be managed quickly and calmly.

Prepare for Halloween

If someone has food allergies, intolerances, or even non-food allergies, preparation is vital. Before you pick a costume or buy snacks, consider complete body testing for every household member so that you know exactly what is safe and for whom. A safe Halloween starts with accurate information, after all!

Are you ready to unmask the truly scary part of Halloween? You’re now ready to start preparing for a fun, healthy holiday! This Halloween allergy survival guide will give you the support you need and deserve so that everyone is included in your special plans!

Gluten Intolerance Vs. Wheat Allergy – What’s The Difference?

Posted on by Donna Mastriani

Sorting out what your body is doing means having an in-depth understanding of what’s happening. Two commonly confused conditions are gluten intolerance and wheat allergy. How do you know if you have gluten intolerance symptoms or an allergy to wheat? Below we’ll break down the differences for you. This will help you understand why a complete intolerance test could be what you need. It will help you have a fulfilling lifestyle featuring the right dietary staples. Let’s go!

What is gluten intolerance?

Gluten intolerance is a digestion issue in your body. It means that your body can’t digest gluten, a type of protein found in rye, barley, and wheat. The most common gluten intolerance symptoms include nausea, bloating, diarrhoea, and a rash. Intolerance symptoms can be mild to severe, depending on how strong your intolerance is.

There is a lot of confusion between gluten intolerance and coeliac disease. This happens even though coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder that is different. If you were to eat gluten-containing food with an intolerance, you would be uncomfortable but perfectly okay. If you were to eat it with coeliac disease, you could be causing harm to your body.

What is a wheat allergy?

So, let’s compare what we have learned so far to a wheat allergy. This is an allergic response to a component in wheat itself rather than gluten. The body attacks the wheat and causes a variety of symptoms. An allergic reaction to wheat can happen minutes to hours after eating the wheat.

A wheat allergy is dangerous even in its mildest forms because it is an immune system response. In this way, it’s more similar to coeliac disease than gluten intolerance. That being said, you should keep the two separate since they are different.

You can see why there is so much confusion between the different conditions! They present slightly similar to that inexperienced food lover.

Understanding their key differences

Key differences between a gluten intolerance and wheat allergy

With so much confusion and similarity, you should take the time to understand their key differences to know what you’re dealing with. Here are some differences to help you keep them separate in your mind for your health’s benefit.

Gluten is a digestive issue

If you are gluten intolerant, your digestive system doesn’t contain the proper enzymes to break down the gluten protein. You’ll find that eating any gluten-containing food will cause discomfort, be it bread, processed foods, etc.

Wheat allergy is an allergy to wheat rather than gluten

If you are allergic to wheat, you will have an immune system response to wheat products. This is different because you can eat other gluten-containing foods without a problem. But even small amounts of wheat-containing foods will cause an immediate or delayed allergic reaction.

Autoimmune diseases are different from allergies and intolerances

Dealing with something like coeliac disease is different from the other two. It is a personalised autoimmune disorder that would be diagnosed with an antibody test. You would treat and live with this differently than an intolerance or an allergy.

The importance of testing

When it comes to these three conditions, the best way to find your way forward is to do an at-home complete intolerance test. This is especially a good idea with especially gluten intolerance and wheat allergy. This will help you see your intolerances in clear lab-tested detail so that you can modify your diet in the right way. If you have gluten intolerance, it will appear on this test. If you don’t, you may have a wheat allergy instead.

How to adjust your diet

If you are gluten intolerant, you’ll need to make some changes to help you replace gluten. After all, gluten foods are a great source of protein, fibre, and many nutrients. Gluten intolerance is common. You will find many gluten-free foods in mainstream groceries and restaurants. The beauty is that gluten-free living is not as difficult as it once was.

If your complete intolerance test results show that you have gluten intolerance and others, you should take a more specific approach. Consider the idea of working with a dietician. They can help you create a daily food plan to help you keep your health and nutritional profile steady. This is very important while you adjust to lifestyle changes that may come as a result of this diagnosis. Specialised dieticians can help interpret test results and give you support for a healthy future.

There are key differences between a wheat allergy and gluten intolerance. This is the case even if they sometimes feel the same for someone trying to figure out what is going on. This will guide you toward the right resources and life change you need to help you enjoy food again.

Raising Peanut Allergy Awareness on National Peanut Day

Posted on by Donna Mastriani

Many of us take so many foods for granted when it comes to enjoying meals, desserts, and snacks. National Peanut Day reminds us that life is very different for those with a peanut allergy, particularly when exploring different foods. Like many other allergies, peanut allergy symptoms exist on a scale from mild to severe. Regardless of where you fall on that scale, you should still pursue allergy testing to know if you are allergic to peanuts rather than tree nuts or something else that could be causing your allergy symptoms. Curious to know more about peanut allergies? Read on!

Are peanut allergies common?

Peanut allergies are common in children, though peanut allergies can last a lifetime. Recently, diagnoses of peanut allergies have increased. About 1 in 50 UK children are diagnosed with peanut allergies.

Did you know this peanut allergy fact

This is part of why allergy testing is vital to a healthy profile, particularly for young ones. It helps parents and GPs to get accurate information on what is safe for little ones. It’s also common to do another allergy test in later years to see if they have outgrown their allergies with time.

What kind of peanut allergy symptoms are possible?

Many assume that peanut allergy symptoms are always severe, anaphylactic reactions. If their child doesn’t have that kind of reaction to peanuts, then they are safe. Yet, peanut allergies can have a spectrum of reactions. This includes mild, moderate, and severe.

Mild peanut allergy symptoms

There are a variety of mild symptoms, but the most common ones are having a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and generally feeling sick. Some will also feel that they have an upset stomach or nauseous. These can happen immediately or hours after eating the peanut product.

Moderate peanut allergy symptoms

Right in the middle of the scale, moderate symptoms can also vary in how they present. The most common ones include pain in the face, headaches, or having an itchy, raised rash. Some have hives instead of a rash, but most allergists would consider that a severe reaction. Another moderate allergic reaction is diarrhoea, which can vary in strength.

Severe peanut allergy symptoms

Many are already aware of severe peanut allergy symptoms, but it’s still important to recognise them. The most common symptom people feel is swelling in the face. This includes the face and eyelids. Others will notice swelling in their mouth and throat and a sense of breathlessness.

A severe reaction is different from anaphylaxis, but not by a lot. If someone has a severe reaction to peanuts, it’s a good idea to call 999 or go to a medical emergency centre near you.

Mild, moderate, and severe allergies also have corresponding reaction strengths. The mild reactions can be easy to overlook, while the severe reactions will feel almost impossible to ignore. But even mild allergic reactions should be taken seriously.

What to do if you suspect you have a peanut allergy

If any of this sounds familiar, you can do quite a few things to keep your safety in check and still enjoy food the same as everyone else.

Get tested

The first thing to do is get allergy testing. You will want to ensure that you are reacting to peanuts instead of something else in the food that you are eating. It’s a waste of your time and energy to avoid peanuts if they aren’t the problem, right?

Avoid peanut products

This is going to sound obvious, but it is crucial. An allergy is a serious health condition because it involves the immune system. Even if your symptoms are mild, allergies stress your body, and deliberately eating something you are allergic to is never a good idea.

Read the ingredients

In every aisle of your grocery market, you’ll want to get used to checking the ingredients for peanuts or possible cross-contamination with peanuts. Potential cross-contamination is especially important if you have severe or anaphylactic reactions,

Check with servers at restaurants

When you go to restaurants, inform staff about your peanut allergy and ask them what products are safe for you to eat. Many restaurants are prepared for allergen-free cooking for major allergens (such as shellfish and peanuts). If they can’t give you information that can satisfy your needs, ask to talk to the chef or other food preparers to know for sure. Your health is worth it!

Be aware of “hidden” sources

Peanuts can “hide” in all sorts of foods. This is very common in packaged foods that are mass-produced. It also happens often in baked goods since extracts and peanut butter are common ingredients in many healthy recipes. Ensure you know exactly what is in the foods you’re eating.

On the same note, consider a DIY approach to baking since that can be a fun way to enjoy all the same foods everyone else gets, but make them allergy-friendly! There are many resources online to help you make just about anything you can think of.

National Peanut Day is a great way to enjoy peanut products, the next time you catch yourself in the grocery market, consider looking at the ingredients on the product you are buying to see if they contain peanuts. But remember it’s also the perfect opportunity to get familiar with peanut allergies and their different types of reactions with an Allergy Test.

Oat Allergy Guide

Posted on by Kate Young

Oat allergy has recently struck the headlines because of the rise in gluten sensitivity. Gluten is a protein found in wheat and other grains. Since oats and similar grains are processed and packaged in the factories or warehouses as these grains with gluten, cross-contamination occurs, which results in symptoms upon eating oats or oat products like oat milk. However, oat allergy is also a common occurrence not linked to cross-contamination of grains—oat allergy or oat milk allergy results in the presence of a protein avenin found in oats. When people allergic to oats get this protein into their bodies, the immune system releases antibodies and histamine because it assumes it needs to protect the body from a virus or bacteria. When the immune system releases these compounds, it causes oat allergy symptoms.

Besides oat allergy, some people experience gastric discomfort due to their sensitivity to high-fibre foods. Some also experience gastrointestinal symptoms due to their sensitivity to oats. Oat allergies aren’t as common as nut and tree nut allergies, but they still affect many people, including children. That’s why we’ve created this oat allergy guide so you can learn more about the symptoms, treatment and foods to avoid.

Oat allergy symptoms

Symptoms of oat allergy vary from one individual to the next. They can be either mild, moderate, or severe. Most of these symptoms occur within two hours of contact with oats. Severe cases happen rarely, and they can be life-threatening. The common oat allergy symptoms include:

A man sneezing
A man sneezing.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Anaphylaxis.
  • Blotchy, irritated, itchy skin.
  • Itchy eyes.
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Oat allergy rash.
  • Diarrhoea.
  • Rash or skin irritation on and in the mouth.
  • Scratchy throat.
  • Runny nose or nasal congestion.
  • Stomach pain.
  • Oat allergy eczema.

If someone close to or around you experiences a severe reaction like anaphylaxis, you need to call urgent care like 999 or rush them to the emergency room to get treatment. Anyone who experiences anaphylaxis should have an EpiPen to carry all the time in case of emergencies. Even if you use an EpiPen, you still need to visit a hospital for observation because these oat allergy symptoms could come back after a few hours. Symptoms such as allergic contact dermatitis may not show up immediately but have a delayed reaction, which may happen between a few hours to three days later.

Oat allergy in children

Often, children experience food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES). This condition affects the intestinal tract causing symptoms like diarrhoea, vomiting, poor growth, and dehydration. When a child with FPIES remains untreated for a prolonged time, they could end up with lethargy and starvation. Children with oat allergies may also suffer with skin-based symptoms. A study on children with atopic dermatitis found that children and infants had a skin reaction to topical products containing oats {1}. So, if your child suffers from atopic dermatitis, it is best to avoid creams, lotions, and any topical products containing oats since they will be allergic to them. Adults also suffer from skin reactions after using products with oats when they have an oat sensitivity or oat allergy.

Many skincare products, especially children’s, are loaded with wheat, oats, and other allergy triggers that can cause a reaction when used by a child with an oat allergy. A study on children’s products found that out of 276 different skincare products, more than a third of them listed contain food-related allergens as an ingredient. Of the 156 ingredients found, there were ingredients like almonds, milk, eggs, and peanuts which are major food allergens. Oats were listed as an ingredient in 8.3% of the products studied {2}. Therefore, if your child suffers from an oat allergy you should be mindful of products in skincare.

When looking for skincare products to treat dry or irritated skin, it’s most likely that the said topical product will be loaded with oat proteins. Oats are mainly used to treat dry, irritated skin. In topical products, you might find the oat ingredients listed as colloidal or finely milled oatmeal. Adults and children alike experience skin reactions upon using topical products loaded with oats. If you’re allergic to oats, you might also react to barley since both grains contain the same protein as oats (avenin).

Oat allergy treatment

When you have oat allergy symptoms, there are medications to help you feel better when you’re suffering. If you suffer from skin reactions from oat allergies, such as an oat allergy rash or oat allergy eczema, creams such as topical corticosteroids help reduce such symptoms. On the other hand, over-the-counter antihistamines can help reduce other moderate or mild symptoms of oat allergy. But if one suffers from anaphylaxis, it is essential to call 999 or emergency medical help because the consequences are serious. If you already have an EpiPen, you should use it or have someone inject you.

Oat allergy foods to avoid

People with severe oat allergies can experience symptoms by touching or inhaling oats. However, others get symptoms simply through ingestion. Here are some foods that often contain oats:

  • Granola and granola bars.
  • Porridge.
  • Oatmeal.
  • Oatmeal bath.
  • Oatmeal lotion.
  • Muesli.
  • Oatmeal cookies.
  • Beer.
  • Oatcake.
  • Oat milk.
  • Horse feed containing oat, such as oat hay.

Oat allergy testing

basic allergy test
Basic Allergy Test.

Once you realise that you may have oat allergy symptoms, you need to see a doctor, especially if it’s your child with the issue. The doctor will check for any underlying illnesses causing the symptoms. If none are found, then you may be suffering from an oat allergy. However, food allergies are hard to pin down since we consume so many potential allergens daily in our meals.

To narrow down what could be causing your symptoms, you can take a home-to-lab Allergy Test. This allergy test will use your sample to check for the most common allergens in your food, drinks, and environment. After a week, you’ll receive an email with your results clearly stating foods or allergens in your environment that you should avoid if you don’t want to suffer from allergy symptoms. If you’re also unsure whether you’re suffering from an oat intolerance rather than an allergy, our Intolerance Test analyses your sample against oat. 

How to manage oat allergy

The easiest way to manage oat allergies is by avoiding foods that you think may contain oats. Even when picking grains at the grocery store, ensure that the package clearly states that they haven’t been processed in the same place as oats. Such information will help prevent accidents that could lead to oat allergy symptoms. You should also ensure wherever you’re dining, whether out or with a friend, that you tell them of your allergies to prevent these allergy reactions. If you have gluten intolerance and you’re reacting to oats, you might be having this reaction because of cross-contamination. You need to ensure that all your oats don’t contain any cross-contamination. If you’re unsure of what’s causing your uncomfortable symptoms, our recommendation is to take a simple home Complete Body Test, which looks for both allergies and intolerances.

References

  1. Boussault, P., Léauté-Labrèze, C., Saubusse, E., Maurice-Tison, S., Perromat, M., Roul, S., Sarrat, A., Taïeb, A., & Boralevi, F. (2007). Oat sensitization in children with atopic dermatitis: prevalence, risks and associated factors. Allergy, 62(11), 1251–1256. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1398-9995.2007.01527.x
  2. Adomaite, I., Vitkuviene, A., Petraitiene, S., & Rudzeviciene, O. (2020). Food allergens in skincare products marketed for children. Contact Dermatitis, 83(4), 271-276.