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In this episode, our CEO Simon Williams sits down with experienced GPs Dr. Lisa Brigstocke and Dr. Helen Evans Howells, to guide you through every step of your allergy appointment. From what you should bring and what tests to expect, to understanding the follow-up care and practical tips for making the most of your visit.
Whether you’re new to managing allergies or have been on this journey for years, this conversation is designed to empower you with the knowledge and confidence to navigate your GP appointment successfully. Join us as we break down the process of visiting your GP for allergies, ensuring you’re fully prepared to take charge of your allergy care.
Dr. Helen Evans-Howells, GP and allergy specialist, chairs the Anaphylaxis UK Clinical & Scientific Panel. She runs Dr Helen Allergy, a private clinic for adults and children in Bournemouth and Dorchester, offering virtual consultations and advice. Follow her for allergy and eczema support: drhelenallergy.
Dr. Lisa Brigstocke has been practicing as a GP with an extended role in allergy since 2019, offering tailored care for patients with complex allergy-related conditions. Her postgraduate training has equipped her to integrate advanced knowledge of immunology into patient consultations, ensuring comprehensive and effective management of allergic disorders. She currently works at Frimley Park Hospital, where she combines her general practice expertise with a specialised focus on allergy care.
Simon also highlights our video demonstration on how to use an adrenaline auto-injector with Dr. Matt Doyle. You can watch this helpful guide here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYvSbH3dUtI
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In this episode of Let’s Talk About Allergies, Anaphylaxis UK welcome back Dr Helen Evan-Howells to tackle some of the most common misconceptions surrounding allergies. From well-meaning but misguided advice to outright myths, we separate fact from fiction to help listeners navigate allergy management during the holiday season.
Join us as we explore the difference between mild and severe allergies, highlighting the symptoms associated with serious allergic reactions, and the importance of seeking professional advice from an allergy expert for tailored guidance. The goal is to equip listeners with the knowledge necessary to better understand allergies, anaphylaxis, and how to manage allergens effectively and safely, even during the challenges of the festive period.
Dr. Helen Evans-Howells, GP and allergy specialist, chairs the Anaphylaxis UK Clinical & Scientific Panel. She runs Dr Helen Allergy, a private clinic for adults and children in Bournemouth, Dorchester, and now Belfast, offering consultations and advice. Follow her for allergy and eczema support: drhelenallergy.
Dr Helen also runs a Facebook support group which you can visit for allergy advice and queries.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Are At-home Allergy Tests Reliable – YouTube Video
Unlocking the Truth About Home Allergy Tests: What Your GP Wants You to Know!
How to Keep Your Kitchen Allergen-Safe This Christmas
The Dos and Don’ts of Eating Out with an Allergy this Christmas
Peanut Allergy & Tree Nut Allergy Factsheet
Seeds & Foods with ‘Nuts’ in the Name Factsheet
Travelling with Allergies
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Discover how to navigate Christmas events at school when a child has allergies in this episode of Let's Talk About Allergies. The festive season is a time for celebration, but for families managing allergies, it can also mean navigating potential risks, advocating for inclusion, and ensuring safety.
Join us as we chat with Tracey Dunn, Education and AllergyWise Manager at Anaphylaxis UK. With 16 years of experience as a headteacher in allergy-aware schools, and personal experience as a parent of teens with severe allergies, Tracey shares expert advice and practical strategies to help parents, teachers and children confidently enjoy Christmas celebrations at school.
Discover actionable tips for advocating allergy safety, creating inclusive events, and making this holiday season a joyful experience for all. Don't miss this essential guide to allergy-friendly festivities!
For more information on how to manage allergies at school, visit out Safer Schools Programme. The information and resources in this programme will support your school to develop best practice policies and procedures to ensure children with allergies are managed safely. This includes the importance of whole school allergy awareness, information about our AllergyWise® for Schools online training course with, best practice resources, such as a model policy for allergy management at school, a downloadable allergy awareness assembly presentation, information about spare pens in schools, responsibilities, allergy bullying, FAQs for schools, plus more!
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In this episode of Let's Talk About Allergies, Anaphylaxis UK welcomes back Prof. Chrissie Jones to delve deeper into the mental health challenges faced by parents, adults, and children living with food allergies. Join us as we explore Prof. Jones’s recent research on two key psychological approaches: Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). We’ll discuss how these methods can effectively reduce anxiety, worry, and depression related to food allergies.
This episode also highlights the potential benefits of group therapy settings, the importance of training non-psychologists, and strategies to expand access to these helpful resources. We’ll address the trauma associated with anaphylactic reactions, effective ways for parents to manage anxiety transfer to their children, and the unique challenges faced by those newly diagnosed with allergies. Tune in for an insightful conversation that aims to empower those navigating the complexities of allergies.
Chrissie Jones is a Professor in Clinical Health Psychology and was awarded a PhD from the Brighton & Sussex Medical School evaluating the extent to which social cognition models could explain adherence to self-care behaviours in children and young people with food allergy. Prior to her PhD, Chrissie completed an MSc in Health Psychology and BA in Social Psychology both at the University of Sussex.
Please see below the resources mentioned in the podcast:
Online, group, low-intensity psychological intervention for adults, children, and parents with food allergy
A review of freely available online support for food allergy related emotional well-being. This paper has links to helpful resources.
Follow @JonesChristinaJ
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In this episode of Let's Talk About Allergies, we revisit our CEO Simon Williams’ conversation with Professor Rebecca Knibb, as they explore the significant psychological pressures individuals with allergies face and the progress made in recognising their mental health needs.
They discuss the importance of accessible psychological support for those feeling anxious about their allergies. Prof. Knibb shares her journey into the field, discussing how psychological support for allergy sufferers has evolved over the years. She highlights the need for tailored mental health interventions, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), to help manage anxiety and fear related to allergies. Learn about resources, the significance of addressing mental health in primary and secondary care settings, and how individuals can access psychological support to improve their quality of life.
This episode was recorded in 2023 so the studies Prof. Knibb discusses are no longer recruiting. You can learn more about the GAPs study led by Prof. Rebecca Knibb here: Allergy journal article - 2024.
Rebecca Knibb is a Chartered Psychologist, practitioner Health Psychologist, and a Professor of Health Psychology at Aston University. Her research interests include the health related quality of life and mental well-being of children, adolescents and parents who are managing allergic conditions and asthma. She is also interested in development of strategies to help families cope through CBT based behaviour change methods and illness beliefs and lay perceptions of medically unexplained symptoms that patients associate with a reaction to food.
Follow @rebeccaknibb81
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In this episode, our CEO Simon Williams and Prof. Chrissie Jones explore the mental health challenges faced by individuals after receiving a serious allergy diagnosis. Prof. Jones explains how different people respond to this life-altering news, from relief at having a plan to overwhelming anxiety about navigating daily life.
They discuss the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques, and other psychological interventions that can help manage allergy-related fears, particularly when avoiding social events and eating out due to safety concerns. Learn about practical tools and online resources for building confidence and improving quality of life, as well as how assertive communication can empower individuals in allergy-sensitive environments.
Chrissie Jones is a Professor in Clinical Health Psychology and was awarded a PhD from the Brighton & Sussex Medical School evaluating the extent to which social cognition models could explain adherence to self-care behaviours in children and young people with food allergy. Prior to her PhD, Chrissie completed an MSc in Health Psychology and BA in Social Psychology both at the University of Sussex.
Please see below the links mentioned in the podcast:
The psychological interventions for patients and their parents with food allergy via Nutricia’s in-house magazine called Small Talk: https://www.nutricia.co.uk/patients-carers.htmlThe review Chrissie's team did is freely available online: A review of freely available online support for food allergy-related emotional well-being. Table 1 is very helpful as has a link to all of the webpages they identified.Get Self Help has lots of downloadable resources; the problem-solving worksheet is accessible for people to use on their own.Follow @JonesChristinaJ
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In this episode of Let's Talk About Allergies by Anaphylaxis UK, we revisit insightful interviews with leading experts to break down the fundamentals of allergies, their symptoms, and what to do in an emergency. Hear from experienced healthcare professionals as they explain the differences between IgE and non-IgE allergies, common allergic triggers like food, pollen, and pets, and the potential risk of anaphylaxis. Learn crucial advice on managing allergic reactions, recognising symptoms in both adults and children, and what role medical intervention plays in severe cases. This is the first episode of Anaphylaxis Awareness Week, aiming to help listeners navigate the complexities of allergies and ensure they are well-prepared to respond in critical situations.
Dr. Helen Evans-Howells, GP and allergy specialist, chairs the Anaphylaxis UK Clinical & Scientific Panel. She runs Dr Helen Allergy, a private clinic for adults and children in Bournemouth and Dorchester, offering virtual consultations and advice. Follow her for allergy and eczema support: drhelenallergy.
Prof. Adam Fox, a renowned expert in paediatric allergy, has led Allergy services at Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospitals and is a Professor at King’s College London. He chaired the UK Department of Health's National Care Pathway for Food Allergy in Childhood and is a Trustee & Immediate Past President of BSACI. Adam has received numerous awards for his contributions to allergy care. Follow him on Twitter @dradamfox.
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In this second episode of our Bee & Wasp Venom Campaign Series, we welcome back venom allergy specialist, Dr. Andrew Whyte to address some of the questions that have emerged since last year's interview. Our CEO, Simon, and Information Officer, Mary, talk to Dr. Whyte about insect stings, the right time to have venom allergy testing, and the process of venom immunotherapy. We also explore common concerns patients may have before undergoing testing or treatment, including potential side effects and what to expect throughout the journey.
Dr. Andrew Whyte, a specialist at the Department of Allergy and Immunology at Derriford Hospital, provides care to patients with immunodeficiency and allergies across the South West Peninsula. Along with his colleagues at the Eden Unit, Dr. Whyte oversees UKAS-accredited immunology laboratories at Derriford Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, offering expert advice and guidance to healthcare providers throughout the region.
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In this episode we explore allergies to bee and wasp stings, covering symptoms, treatment, and prevention. Discover effective strategies for managing allergic reactions as our Chief Executive Simon Williams and expert Dr. Andrew Whyte discuss the importance of allergy testing, immunotherapy and emergency response.
Dr. Andrew Whyte, a specialist at the Department of Allergy and Immunology at Derriford Hospital, provides care to patients with immunodeficiency and allergies across the South West Peninsula. Along with his colleagues at the Eden Unit, Dr. Whyte oversees UKAS-accredited immunology laboratories at Derriford Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, offering expert advice and guidance to healthcare providers throughout the region.
Please note that Emerade adrenaline auto-injectors are no longer available. All individuals with allergies should now carry either EpiPen or Jext auto-injectors at all times.
