Allergy sufferers are prone to large localised bumps on the skin due to midge, mosquito and fleabites in the summer. These reactions can be intensely itch and quite often swollen affecting the face and eyelids in small children. They also tend to occur in groups on the skin. This isn’t a true allergic reaction but [...]
Just spent a few days at Warwick University Life Sciences Department completing an update course on Clinical Immunology. It is “mind blowing” to see how efficient our immune system is at protecting us by intensive surveillance and rapidly recognising any new virus’, super-bacteria and cunning cancer cell on a constant basis. Our 24/7 dedicated immune [...]
Regrettably after spending 18 years at the London Medical Centre situated at 144 Harley Street in London, the current allergy clinic building has been sold and we have had to move at short notice. Thankfully, the Surrey Allergy Clinic has been able to relocate to number 10 Harley Street into a lovely purpose decorated Georgian [...]
Itching of the skin (the medical term is Pruritiis) can be a debilitating condition. The immediate assumption is that the itching is due to an allergy. But if there are no spots or rashes, an allergy may be far from the cause. Did you know that excess dryness of the skin stimulates the histamine itch [...]
Summer has finally arrived. So get those antihistamines and nasal sprays out of storage. With the lovely warm sunny weather comes the dreaded grass pollen scourge. Hay fever (Pollinosis) and allergic conjunctivitis can severely and adversely impact quality of life. Now’s too late to start Grazax (a new revolutionary Hay Fever treatment for grass pollen [...]
This involves taking stool specimens from healthy individuals and transplanting it into the gut of people who suffer with bowel problems that relate to faulty or pathogenic organisms in the gut. This may be a factor in certain chronic conditions that are difficult to treat with conventional medication and antibiotics. These include Inflammatory Bowel Disease [...]
A new concept in allergology is that of "local" IgE production on respiratory and ocular membranes causing allergy and also called Local Allergic Rhinits. The allergic reaction in this case is very localised to the nasal membranes and conjunctiva and not identified on routine allergy skin prick testing or RAST blood testing. However these patients respond to [...]
Some recent medical studies have suggested that overuse of antihistamine medication may result in Alzheimer’s disease. Only some of the older non-sedating antihistamines were mentioned in the study. Some older (sedating) antihistamines such as chlorphenamine and diphenhydramine cross into the brain and can cause drowsiness and are even used as OTC “sleeping pills”. Newer once-daily [...]
Vocal cord dysfunction is a curious condition where the vocal cords go into paradoxical spasm whilst breathing (especially breathing in). This can mimic asthma with sudden onset intermittent breathlessness, wheeze and exercise related symptoms mainly in the throat with noisy breathing. Patients who fail to respond to conventional asthma treatment should have this diagnosis considered. [...]
Lactose in milk has been implicated in infant colic and feeding problems, with a migration to lactose-free formulas. However, Lactose is very important in the infants diet as it adds flavour to milk, aids absorption of calcium and promotes the growth of probiotics. Growing infants need lactose as a carbohydrate source. Did you know there [...]