Allergies Archives - Page 7 of 11 - Lifelab Testing

Category: Allergies

Heal your Gut

Posted on by Kate Young

Here at Lifelab Testing, we’re dedicated to helping teach our readers how they can best improve their health. The gut has a major impact on one’s health, since it determines what nutrients your body absorbs, and which toxins, allergens, and microbes are kept out. It heavily impacts the health of your entire body. Many factors affect gut health, such as diet, food intolerances, lifestyle, hormones, sleep, and medications. These all affect how your gut digests and manages what you consume. We’ve put together a few tips to help you heal your gut.

Probiotics

Consuming probiotics is an excellent way to reintroduce healthy bacteria into your digestive tract. Remember that probiotics are the good bacteria that are essential to proper gut health.

You can consume probiotics by taking a probiotic supplement or adding fermented foods to your diet. We’d recommend starting with the latter, rather than running to the supplement aisle right away (unless your doctor recommends you do so).

Probiotic-containing foods include;

  • Fermented vegetables
  • Yoghurt
  • Kimchi
  • Kefir
  • Sauerkraut
  • Tempeh
  • Kombucha
  • Miso

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are how you can nourish those healthy bacteria, so they stick around and keep helping your gut. Think of it as feeding the good guys.

Probiotics eat prebiotics, which are natural soluble fibres, and then produce short-chain fatty acids, inhibiting the growth of pathogens and prevent disease. Ultimately, this helps maintain your intestinal and overall health.

Here’s a list of prebiotic foods you can add to your diet;

  • Bananas
  • Jerusalem Artichoke
  • Onions
  • Asparagus
  • Chicory
  • Whole Grains
  • Garlic

Ginger

Ginger has various health benefits, from blood-thinning (great for preventing blood clots) to relaxing muscles. One gut-helping example is the smooth muscle of the intestines. This is a godsend for those who suffer from gas or cramping. As if that wasn’t enough, ginger can also stimulate saliva, bile and gastric enzymes, making it an all-around supporter in your digestion.

Limit FODMAPs

FODMAPs (Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides And Polyols) are short-chain carbohydrates found in certain types of food, such as wheat and beans. Studies show a strong link between FODMAPs and digestive symptoms like stomach pain, bloating, gas, diarrhoea and constipation. Low-FODMAP diets are shown to provide exceptional benefits for many people with common digestive issues.

Here are of a few high FODMAP foods to avoid;

  • Beer
  • Fortified wines
  • Soymilk
  • Milk (from cows, goats and sheep) and other dairy products
  • Fruits
  • Beans and Lentils
  • Barley
  • Rye
  • Fructose
  • Wheat 

It might feel overwhelming to start with, but we can help you on your path to a healthier gut. Purchase an intolerance test today, to quickly find out which foods that are currently a problem and shorten your initial elimination phase.

Autumn has arrived, and it’s bringing a whole load of new allergies with it

Posted on by Donna Mastriani

YESSSS, summer is over! This means no more hay fever symptoms, right?! Well, now Autumn is here and the blooms of summer have disappeared, but new allergies are on the way! Ever heard of a mould allergy? Read on to find out more…

What seasonal allergies appear in Autumn?

Well, let’s start with mould. Mould appears because as individuals we are naturally driven inside thanks to the colder weather… You’ll probably find yourself sneezing inside, and it won’t be because of hay fever. Spending more time inside means there is a chance that the mould spores will build up. The best way to deal with it? We know it can be laborious, but if you have a mould allergy then you need to be consistent with your cleaning. Wiping down the windows and cleaning the skirting boards is a must.

Dust builds up

It can also very get dusty inside and you’ll have to be just as thorough with your cleaning skills. Again, the skirting boards need to be wiped, the sofas and the beds need to be whipped into shape, and almost everything needs to be given a wash. Whilst dust is often common during the hot summers, it can then get stirred into the air as soon as you turn the heaters on. Lamps and lampshades also need to be cleaned, as they may not have been used in a while.

What symptoms do I need to be looking out for?

You need to be looking out for the standard allergy symptoms, but they are caused by different items. As mentioned, mould allergy and dust mites are the likely cause. They will cause you to suffer from symptoms like a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, dark circles under the eyes and even itchy eyes and a runny nose!

How can allergy testing help?

When Autumn comes around and the seasons begin to change, allergy testing has been more important. A mould allergy can be potentially diagnosed by checking out Lifelab Testing’s Complete Body Test. Within your detailed report, we’ll be able to tell you where to look to avoid your allergies, and what other items you should be avoiding.

For more information on identifying your mould allergy and looking for types of allergy testing, order from www.lifelabtesting.com.

What causes an allergic reaction?

Posted on by Kate Young

There are many questions which come about due to people suffering from an allergic reaction. But do you know all about the symptoms of an allergy? Do you know how to diagnose an allergy? Do you know about the treatment and management of an allergy? If you want to know the answers to any of these questions, read on below…

Allergies are a chronic condition

Allergies themselves are one of the most common chronic conditions around the world. Varied from an intolerance due to their life-long nature, allergies can be life-threatening. However, not all are that serious, but they all have an impact on someone’s livelihood.

The symptoms of an allergic reaction range drastically, from leaving someone a bit down in the dumps, to being at risk of a life-threatening reaction.

Where does an allergic reaction begin?

Unlike an intolerance, an allergic reaction begins in the immune system. This is important to note as the terms allergy and intolerance are often used interchangeably, but they are completely different. Leading scientists and experts believe that an allergic reaction starts with the immune system. Well, our immune system to protect us from invading organisms which often cause illnesses. BUT, if you have an allergy, your immune system thinks that a harmless substance actually has the potential to harm you. This item that is harmful is known as an allergen.

IgE antibodies

Lifelab Testing is able to help you get closer to knowing if you as an individual are suffering from an allergy or an intolerance. An allergic reaction is when the immune system produces Immunoglobulin E (aka IgE antibodies) antibodies because it thinks it is protecting the body. As stated by the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, the antibodies will travel to cells which are releasing histamines and other chemicals, leading to an allergic reaction.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction

An allergic reaction itself typically triggers symptoms in the body, but not necessarily the immune system. Swelling of the tongue, throat and constant headaches, as well as itchy skin, is usually a sign of a food allergy or a non-food allergy.

What are the most common allergens?

Harmful foods and non-foods which most people report an allergy to include pollen (hay fever), dust (from not cleaning the skirting boards), insect stings (wasps and bees), and also latex (washing up gloves etc). If you suspect that you have an allergy to any of these items, then an allergy test would be able to help you gain an idea of what you may have an allergy to.

Are you wanting to find out what is causing your allergic reaction?

If you are wanting to know which foods are potentially causing your issues, then a food allergy test would be ideal for you. Allergic reactions come about from anything, but you do need to know which items are more likely to cause issues. Lifelab Testing offers a range of allergy and intolerance tests, priced competitively.

5 Steps to Take in the Battle Against Food Allergies

Posted on by Kate Young

It’s a big deal in everyone’s life: Going back to school. It can feel even bigger if you do not have an allergy plan ahead of you!

However, it can sometimes feel even worse if you are suffering from food allergies. You must be super organised, but you can find out below how to best prepare your child for dealing with food allergies. 

1) You need to have a plan

Make your allergy plan a priority. You can consult either your doctor or health professional who will be able to sign this off for you. Make sure your staff and faculty at your school are aware of your food allergies, and that they know about your plan.

2) Make sure you discuss eating areas and accommodation

You need to be accommodated for if you have a food allergy. The chefs at the school, or if you are taking a packed lunch, people need to be aware of your allergies. Some children are not always aware of the danger of food allergies and intolerances, but teachers should be focused and observant. If you have an allergy plan, make sure they stick to it.

3) Talk to people

Food allergy specialists are an excellent resource. They can help you with advice and ideas on where to sit at lunch (like above), but also how you should approach school trips and adventures. Ensure your school’s big hitters are aware of the allergy guidelines, as well as your allergy plan.

4) Spot and prevent allergy building

We hate to talk about this, but it does happen in schools! In fact, there have been recent stories of children and teachers being attacked for their well-known allergies. There are specific guidelines, which have been developed over in America on how to spot if your child is the target of food allergy bullying. 

5) Make sure you know that your child has an allergy and an allergy plan

You may be reading this wondering what on earth we are going on about. But, living with an undiagnosed or identified food allergy can actually be catastrophic. If not treated or managed correctly, food allergies can leave you feeling unwell and alter your life, or in a worst-case scenario, be potentially life-threatening.

For more information on allergy testing and identifying exactly which items, you or your child should be avoided, check out our blog page! It’s full of hints, tips and advice, all suited to helping you and your family cope with your allergies. Think of an allergy plan after you have discovered your own allergies!

Food Allergies are a huge concern as back-to-school fever hits!

Posted on by Donna Mastriani

All over the country, parents are preparing their children to go back to school… But there is one thing that is causing panic, and that is food allergies and intolerances.

Whether it be wheat intolerance, lactose intolerance or a gluten allergy, there is cause for concern amongst parents all around the UK. A new study has revealed the impact of social, emotional and financial factors of managing food allergies and intolerances.

For children who are ready to go back to school and are suffering from food allergies, there is a significant burden of food allergies on the families. At this time of year, the wellbeing of children is of paramount importance. We are just about getting over hay fever season and now people are letting their children head back to school and will not necessarily have full control over what they are eating!

It is a very scary situation, particularly if you are not aware of what food allergies or food intolerances you or your child has. People are becoming more aware of food allergies, and the negative impact that they are having on others’ lives. They impact the life of not only children, but also adults with allergies, their families and also people who are looking after them.

Think of it like this, your child, depending on their allergies and intolerances may not be able to interact as other children may be able to. Severe allergies leave parents worrying about their children participating in social activities, going out to restaurants, and even birthday parties.

Just think, imagine if it comes to Halloween and someone at school invites your child to a party, but you know your child has an allergy to chocolate. You would be scared!

Essentially, Lifelab Testing and other people in the allergy testing industry are keen to note the many disasters that appear to be playing on the minds of children.

Some of the key findings include the constant fear of accidental exposure to food allergens, as this causes heightened stress, which often leads to stress and anxiety, the feeling of being isolated in a social environment, and also depression! This is not only for the child but also the parents. Now you can see the detrimental effect that allergies can have on children.

In fact, according to a study by the AAFA, more than 50% of parents have reported that they are missing important school functions and have had to change plans, simply because of their child’s allergy. This sounds scary and stressful!

We haven’t even got to the costs of living with food allergies and intolerances yet, and this is something we will be discussing in next week’s blog. Keep an eye out on www.lifelabtesting.com.

You can purchase your test now for 30% OFF using the code SUMMER30 at the checkout.

Allergies vs Intolerances: Which one is causing your symptoms?

Posted on by Donna Mastriani

Our bodies are strange, even at the best of times, and we are still adjusting to it.  When you are looking to get to the bottom of strange symptoms and that general feeling of simply being unwell after you’ve eaten, you’re certainly not alone. Almost everyone suffers from headaches, but not everyone realises that they may be caused by food intolerances or allergies.

When you feel like you’re having strange reactions to food, or experiencing headaches then you may be dealing with food intolerance. 

Unique from a food allergy, a food intolerance doesn’t make you feel like you can’t breathe or give you a rash.  It just means that your body can’t really digest or work with the food, so you start to feel unwell after eating it. Help stop your headaches today with a food intolerance test.

Allergy vs Intolerance

A lot of food intolerances get misdiagnosed as a mild food allergy, or they get missed entirely because they are attributed to other common health issues. A lot of symptoms like headaches are generally caused by other health causes.

That’s why food intolerance testing is so important when you are looking at making sure that you are as healthy as possible.  To break it down into detail, let’s take a look at an allergy and a food intolerance side by side:

  • Allergy: An allergy takes place when your body sees a certain food as attacking the body.  The body then retaliates, resulting in a physical reaction as it fights.
  • Allergies can range from mild to severe.  Common symptoms include rashes, shortness of breath, flushing, hives, and, of course, the dreaded anaphylactic shock that is so common with allergies such as nuts or soy. 
  • Most severe allergies are present at birth but can develop at a later age as well.  Allergies can also vary in terms of their type when exposed to the allergen.  That is, what may be a simply annoying case of hives or itchy eyes and a runny nose one time, maybe shortness of breath and sneezing fit the next time. 
  • Allergies are not always the same severity and should be taken seriously in terms of avoidance.
  • Intolerance:
  • An intolerance is when your body is simply unable to process something that comes into it.  While it doesn’t attack the “intruder” in your body, it does react to it.
  • This reaction’s severity depends on how much of the food that you have.  The less you have, the smaller the reaction.  Common symptoms include fatigue (especially after eating), a bloated stomach, heartburn, headaches (even migraines) and diarrhoea. 
  • With proper intolerance testing, you can figure out what the trigger food is and avoid it as well as monitor how much causes a reaction so that you can continue eating it in small amounts if preferred.  Common intolerances include wheat intolerance, gluten intolerance and lactose intolerance.

While allergies tend to get all of the fame and glory, understanding the role a food intolerance can play in your life, as well as making sure that you are aware of it and can avoid it, is just as important. 

When you want to get rid of those strange mystery symptoms, as well as those constant headaches, then you can turn to a Lifelab Testing kit. You will then generally feel better and healthier. 

Whether you knew you needed it or not, grab that test and see for yourself just what the results are. If you are not sure which item is causing your variety of symptoms, you can get your hands on our Complete Body Test!

Allergy Testing Can Stop You From Suffering Fatigue

Posted on by Donna Mastriani

Food allergy testing is often only given when there is a clear indicator that it is needed.  Particularly when teens or adults, where it’s commonly thought that the danger of an allergy developing has passed.  However, allergy testing isn’t just required when a child, teen or adult has an anaphylaxis-related reaction.  Sometimes it’s simply a bloated stomach or even fatigue.  There is no “one size fits all” for a food allergy, which is why education is important.

How allergies relate to fatigue

Since we know that a food allergy occurs when your body’s natural system starts to protect itself from what it perceives as a threat (ie: the allergen), fatigue is actually a really common symptom of a food allergy, though it’s often ignored and attributed to other issues. 

As your body fights the allergen, the same hormone that is released to fight it, also makes you feel tired and hazy.  Similar to when you are overtired.  It can also keep you from sleeping well, if the allergic reaction occurs near bedtime.  This difficulty sleeping is also made worse by the fact that the same hormone can cause swelling in your nose, making you feel stuffy, which makes it hard to have a good night’s rest as well.

Examples of fatigue related to allergies

Fatigue and its connection to allergies can be felt in a few ways.  Here are some examples that you may have found in your everyday life that, until now, don’t really have a clear reason for happening.

  • Constant fatigue: If you feel like you are always ready to pass out from fatigue in the afternoon or evening, it could be due to something that you’re eating in a meal.  While slight fatigue is normal after a large meal, a traditional meal shouldn’t make you feel like you’re exhausted after it.
  • Difficulty sleeping: If you’re waking throughout the night or waking in the morning still feeling really dragged out or tired, it could be due to an allergen that is pushing those fatigue levels higher as well as keeping you from slipping into a deep sleep throughout the night.
  • Feeling fogged or hazy: Difficulty concentrating or simply feeling “hazy” or “out of it” is another version of fatigue that is often caused by a food allergen.  If you are struggling to stay on-task or focused on a conversation, this form of fatigue could be something to consider in terms of the root cause.

What to do

In fighting the reaction, the best thing that you can do is to take an allergy test.  This will help you figure out just what is triggering the fatigue so that you can avoid it.  If you accidentally ingest it, you’ll find that taking an anti-histamine can help curb the worst of your symptoms and get you back to your life as normal.  Allergy testing can help you beat fatigue for good.

For more information on battling fatigue and dealing with this annoying symptom, you can log on to www.lifelabtesting.com and see how we can help!

Allergy Testing and Rosacea (Client Case Study)

Posted on by lifelabtesting

A guest blog from Robert Jackson on identifying and dealing with an allergy…

At the age of 35, I started to develop red blemishes on my face. Mainly around my cheeks to start with, then my forehead and the backs of my ears.

The red patches came and went, but as time went on they came for more time than they went, up to the point where it was consistently visible.

It felt itchy, tender and was a bit flakey. Kind of like sunburn, which many people thought it was.

If this sounds like something you have, and your doctor has said that it could be Rosacea, this post could help you reduce the redness and get your skin condition under control.

But before we get into the solution…

I’d like to give you a bit of background to help you identify if this could be something you are suffering from.

As a child I suffered from eczema and have had bouts of it during different periods of my life, but nothing too serious that some creams wouldn’t fix.

I also have ulcerative colitis, which affects my intestines and ability to digest food properly. Fortunately, this is not too severe either so is easily managed.

I’m not sure if these things are related, but I would suggest that there is a link somewhere. The body is so complex that we barely understand how it works fully.

I’m sure that in years to come we will be able to identify patterns and help people better through understanding how different parts of the body work together.

The journey of discovery…

It came to a point where the redness was so bad that I felt embarrassed to go outside. I would only go to work and then home.

I had tried everything the doctors prescribed, from creams to lotions. Nothing seemed to work. I was becoming more anxious that I would not be able to resolve the problem and I’d be stuck with it for life.

A diet that helped my Rosacea

I had also tried out a relaxed rice and potato diet where I basically ate only a handful of ingredients, this included:

  • White rice
  • Beetroot
  • Chickpeas
  • Ginger
  • Kale
  • Turmeric
  • Olive oil

This diet seemed to work well. I did it for 10 days and the Rosacea cleared up but it was way too hard to maintain. And not healthy either, as it lacked a good enough range of vegetables, protein and vitamins.

The triggers which set Rosacea off

If you look online, you can find an unlimited number of websites listing trigger foods. Every food is on one of the lists it seems. And trust me, I have scoured all the lists!

Then there are other factors, like stress, anxiety, heat, cold, etc. You name it, it’s on a list. Just reading them fills you with anxiety and makes you think your life is over!

Note: One thing I am 100% sure triggers my Rosacea is sweating. When I exercise and sweat a lot, it stings and makes me come out with red blotches. Fortunately, I know how to calm it back down now, more on that later.

Allergy testing

I decided to try out an allergy test. There are various opinions on how valid they are, but I was desperate and wanted to try whatever I could to help resolve my situation.

I went for the complete body test one as it seemed the most complete test out there, including both allergy testing and intolerance tests.

I got my results back and found I had two main allergies. One to pollen, which I already knew about, and one to meat. I used to eat a lot of meat, perhaps 3 times a day.

On a path to recovery

The first thing I did was to remove meat from my diet, so I became vegetarian.

Note: It’s not recommended to change your diet drastically without first seeking medical advice.

I noticed that things started to improve. I then changed up the fruits and vegetables that I ate to reduce or remove the foods which were had a positive reaction on my intolerance test.

Making both of these changes definitely helped me to feel better, less itchy and red-faced.

Taking it up a level

I then found out about a cream from The Ordinary which contains Azelaic Acid. The word acid sounds bad but it’s actually a naturally occurring substance.

I couldn’t believe that no one had recommended this to me before because it is known to help with Rosacea. You can even get it as a prescription cream.

My experience with azelaic acid

When I first put it on my skin it really stung for around 20 minutes. I was so worried it was causing a bad reaction and making things worse!

Fortunately, there was no reaction on my skin and after some time it settled down. Every time I put it on again, the same stinging would happen but for less time.

I applied it morning and night and after around 5 days I had no stinging and my redness had pretty much completely gone.

I’d highly recommend anyone with Rosacea try it out, but remember to always seek professional advice before trying it out.

Keeping it at bay

I now have two ways to control my Rosacea:

  1. Make sure to eat mainly a vegetarian diet
  2. Apply azelaic acid every morning and night

Pro tip: If you sweat, make sure to rinse your face when you can and then apply some azelaic acid cream.

To summarise…

It took me around 1 year and lots of trial and error but with help from the allergy testing and finding out about azelaic acid, I now have my Rosacea under control.

Good luck to anyone else looking to find a solution, as I know how hard it can be to deal with on both a physical and emotional level.

UK allergy hotspot MAPPED: Which city has the most allergies sufferers? Is it your city?

Posted on by Kate Young

Allergies are when the body experiences a harmful reaction to something that would not usually be considered harmful. Common allergens include fish, nuts, wheat and pollen. Do you have an allergy?

A pollen allergy is often known as hay fever. Sometimes, the body will react to either food, animals including dogs and cats, and pollen.

Which cities are the most common?

Allergies are extremely common and affect more than one in four people in the UK. Which city has the highest amount of people suffering from allergies?

A nationwide study reported in the Daily Express identified that the allergy capital of the UK is Liverpool, with a whopping four in five of the North West city’s residents claiming to suffer from some sort of animal, food or pollen allergy. The national average is considered to be around 60 per cent! Wow!

Interesting facts about pollen allergy

The report itself found that Norwich was at number two on the cities of people suffering from allergies. Apparently, 72 per cent of those living there suffer from an allergy, whilst Plymouth came in at number three. Do you live in any of these cities? If so, an allergy test could certainly be what you need!

TOP TEN MOST ALLERGIC UK CITIES

As listed in the Daily Express

  • Liverpool (80 per cent)
  • Norwich (72 per cent)
  • Plymouth (71 per cent)
  • Sheffield (70 per cent)
  • Oxford (67 per cent)
  • London (66 per cent)
  • Birmingham (63 per cent)
  • Cardiff (61 per cent)
  • Leeds (60 per cent)
  • Bristol (59 per cent)

The study adds to the evidence that the UK is in the throes of an allergy epidemic. Allergies and intolerances are on the rise and without spreading awareness, people will not be able to manage their symptoms. Identifying what symptoms are being caused is a key factor in coping with allergies.

What are the top symptoms of allergies?

When it comes to symptoms of allergies, the Express report that the number of people suffering from these symptoms was this: Sneezing (66 per cent), runny nose (60 per cent) and watering eyes (56 per cent) were the most prevalent problems.

Two-thirds say they don’t get enough sympathy and 90 per cent believe there should be more research into the science of the problem. Allergy UK reports that more than 44 per cent of the UK now suffers from an allergy.

Allergy testing and how it can help you with hay fever in the summer

Symptoms of hay fever include:

  • sneezing and coughing
  • a runny or blocked nose
  • itchy, red or watery eyes
  • itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
  • loss of smell
  • pain around your temples and forehead
  • headache
  • earache
  • feeling tired

You should look out for these symptoms and if you are suffering from any of these, there could be something underlying at play which you will need to get checked out.

According to the NHS, hay fever will last for weeks or months, particularly when the pollen levels are incredibly high.

If you are not sure what could be causing your symptoms, Lifelab Testing can definitely help.

The do’s and don’ts of a pollen allergy

Posted on by Donna Mastriani

Seasonal allergies can be an utter misery if you are suffering from them, as they can cause so many issues which leave you feeling upset and tied down. Worry no longer! As the pollen count rises, there are some things that you need to do in order to keep your pollen allergy symptoms at bay.

What to do if you suffer from a pollen allergy?

It may sound tedious but you do need to stay indoors when the pollen count or humidity is high. This will help you to cope with your pollen allergy (hay fever), as the pollen will not be able to gain access to your body.

If it is windy, then Allergy Clinic recommends that you also avoid places where dust and pollen are likely to blow about more than usual. Nowadays, with the way modern technology has been transformed, you can even access a pollen counter and download it straight to your phone.

Find the right medication right for you

You need to find the right medication for you. If your allergy test has highlighted that you may have a pollen allergy then you should contact your GP or health professional immediately. If you have seen an allergist, then they should give the right medication for you. Hay fever and food allergens like wheat, gluten and shellfish are perfect examples of why allergy testing can be beneficial for you.

Myths and truths of Hay Fever

If you are suffering from a pollen allergy, then you will probably read plenty of articles (like this one) highlighting what to do in order to cope with your intolerances and allergies.

Lifelab Testing recommend ordering an allergy test to identify whether it is hay fever causing your symptoms or something else entirely. We also recommend wearing sunglasses to stop pollen getting into your eyes. We don’t, however, recommend wrapping vaseline around your nostrils as this is a myth to stop hay fever. Although some pollen will get stuck to the vaseline, it does not completely block it from entering your nose.

In conclusion

Overall, we would recommend identifying if you have an intolerance or a pollen allergy immediately.