Adrenaline injection kits are available from your GP on prescription.
Incidence and statistics
One in three of the total UK population – around 18 million people – suffer from some form of allergy. Acute, severe allergy is thought to affect around one million people.Avoiding trouble
- Read food labels. It takes seconds. It could save your life.
- When eating out ask the waiter exactly what's in the meal you want. If necessary, tell them what making a mistake will do to you.
- Avoid high-risk places. This is a difficult one if all your friends are pushing to go for a Thai meal. Nuts are used liberally in Oriental or Indian food and it's best to avoid it
- Educate your friends. Tell them where your adrenaline kit is and show them how to use it.
- Be alert to all symptoms. Don't ignore them.
- Above all - if you have an adrenaline kit, make sure you take it everywhere.
Some extra tips
- Good asthma control - if you have asthma as well as allergies, make sure it's well controlled using a preventer inhaler.
- Alcohol - too much can affect your judgement, taking you off guard. It can also speed up the reaction. We're not saying go tee-total, just be aware of the risks.
- Kissing - ask your partner if they've been eating the food you're allergic to. Embarrassing, but important.
- Exercise can sometimes make a reaction worse. If you feel a reaction coming on, don't rush around.
- Chocolates - mixed selections contain nut ones. Be aware.
The Anaphylaxis Campaign
The Anaphylaxis Campaign is a registered charity which provides information and guidance to people affected by potentially life-threatening allergies. One of the charity’s main aims is to create a safe environment for people with allergies by educating the food industry, schools, pre-schools, colleges, health professionals and focussing on medical facts, food labelling, risk reduction, new treatments, latest research and many other allergy-related subjects.(published with permission in writing from:http://www.nusonline.co.uk)
