Ruth Holroyd's Blog, page 29

We need to talk about my Gnawbles habit

I recently discovered Gnawbles from Creative Nature whilst testing products for the FreeFrom Food Awards but it wasn’t until I met Julianne at an event in London that I finally succumbed! She had brought samples with her and I was able to try all the varieties. I was hooked!

Me with Julianne Ponan, Owner of Creative Nature.

I have honestly never loved a sweet snack more. My favourite is the Hazlenot flavour, but they come in lots of different varieties including Salted Caramel, mylk chocolate and the orange flavour ones that are tiny, crunchy protein snacks.

Julianne Ponan, the creator of this incredible brand, also has multiple life threatening allergies herself and is passionate about making life better, safer and tastier for people with allergies.

Think Maltesers meets Ferrero Rocher and you’re close. Obviously I’ve never had a Ferrero Rocher because I’m allergic to hazlenuts but friends tell me the taste is very similar! The wizards at Creative Nature have worked their magic to create this delicious chocolate creation and the best thing is that they’re freefrom all of the Top 14 allergens!

Creative Nature FreeFrom Top14 chocolate and cake mixes

Everyone has their favourite freefrom snacks. I used to love Maltesers, Crunchies, Galaxy Chocolate, Curly Wurlys and loads of other chocolate confectionery but that was back in the days before my dairy allergy reared its head. I miss being able to browse a huge selection and choose something from the shelves in any shop.

Now it’s a challenge to find exciting treats as so many chocolates have ‘may contain’ warnings, including the nut and dairy free options available in many cases.

Safe freefrom brands that are guaraneed nut and dairy free include Nomo, Plamil and Cocoa Libre, as well as, of course, Creative Nature.

It is proving hard to find these in mainstream supermarkets but you can buy Gnawbles direct from Creative Nature, as well as their other products, including cake mixes, pancake mix, brownie mix, protein mix bars, cacoa nibs and apricot kernals. I’ve tried all the cake mixes including carrot and banana and they’re all so easy to make. The pancakes made the thickest, fluffiest American style pancakes I’ve ever made. They were delicious!

You really should try these, and if you now can’t decide which products to buy, they do bundles which give you a bit of everything!

Best of all, these guys are local so let’s support a British FreeFrom Brand!

Visit Creative Nature and use code WHATALLERGY10 for 10% off anything you buy!

But we really do need to talk about my Gnawbles habit. Early in lockdown I bought three whole boxes and ate them all myself… true fact!

I found myself doing the same again the following month and felt compelled to give most of them away as I watched my lockdown tummy growing with a Gnawbles baby! I think I’ve got the addiction under control now but I CAN feel another order coming on!

Remember to use my code when you order and you’ll be supporting my Gnawbles habit xxx

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Top 10 health blog again!

I’m in the top 10 Vuelio Health Blogs in the UK again! This must be about the fifth year running and I’m really pleased to be amongst such good quality blogs again.

https://www.vuelio.com/uk/social-media-index/health-blogs-uk-top-10/

Blogging is hard work. Often a thankless task. And you can feel like you’re screaming into a huge, dark abyss as getting comments on a blog is like finding hen’s teeth!

So without further ado, well done and congratulations to:

Special Needs JungleThe Mental ElfEvidently Cochranetalkhealth blogThe Hippocratic PostSame DifferenceME – lil ol What of Allergy!

We must learn from these mistakes

A 14 year old boy recently died from anaphylaxis after eating popcorn at his local Odeon. This just breaks my heart, because it’s avoidable. Why am I still reading about deaths from anaphylaxis where people are not carrying their adrenaline, and don’t follow the recommended advice?

I’m not trying to pass blame on the family. My heart goes out to them. They thought they were being responsible by ordering a snack their son had eaten safely before. And they thought they were taking the right action by getting him help, going home and getting his Epipen, but moving someone who is having an allergic reaction can trigger a much more severe outcome.

Why are people not told this?

Why are people not carrying their adrenaline?

When someone has been prescribed an adrenaline auto injector whose responsibility is to make sure they know how serious this condition is? Who explains the protocols, guidelines and advice? Is it their doctor, allergy specialist, pharmacist? All too often people are not told this important advice unless they engage with charities and the online community. We are failing these families. This needs to be addressed before another allergy death.

I have a few comments on what could have been done differently.

Always carry two adrenaline auto injectors with you at ALL TIMES and administer at first sign of symptoms. Early treatment is so important.Always, always check, ask and tell any food servers about your allergies. Don’t assume a previously safe snack or meal is still safe.Guidance would suggest that he should not have moved, and instead administered anti-histamines and adrenaline and called 999 from the cinema. Obviously this was not possible.The family had to return home when he started to feel unwell, a short distance away, to retrieve his adrenaline. They then drove to the hospital and when he began to have trouble breathing his father administered adrenaline and his mother commenced CPR. I cannot imagine what this must have been like for the parents. The ambulance then arrived, took over his care and took him to hospital where he later passed away. This part of the story is confusing, were they driving in their car or were they in an ambulance? Whatever happened it was all too little too late.His mother wondered whether she should have administered adrenaline into his chest for better effect. Just in case anyone else might be thinking the same, you should always administer your auto-injector into the outer mid thigh. Never the chest.

You can read the article, Boy 14, who died after eating popcorn at cinema here.

It just makes me so sad.

I don’t want to read another news story about an allergy death where the person did not have their adrenaline with them. It’s no use to you at home.

I’m nervous about posting this because I don’t want to sound like I’m blaming the parents. I’m not. I have had allergic reactions and not administered adrenaline when I’ve had the pens with me, because I thought my breathing was OK and I wouldn’t need to. I have been wrong many times before and learnt the hard way that early adrenaline is the way to go. Don’t wait until you really cannot breathe to inject. Inject straight away. The saying goes, if in doubt, inject!

This is so sad but if it encourages more people to remember to carry their adrenaline, his death will not have been in vain.

For anyone who is unsure of the correct procedure to follow in the case of anaphylaxis, please read: 20 life saving tips for anaphylaxis here.

Why do I push my boundaries?

Why do human beings need adventure? Why do we crave new experiences? Why do I push my boundaries and say yes to scary things? Why do I run?

Running is hard! It’s a challenge. It can feel like you’re just really bad at it but it can also make you feel amazing and it’s given me so much.

This blog is inspired by fellow Chiltern Harrier Rik’s blog about why he runs. Read Why am I doing this? if you are a runner, and even if you’re not. If you’re a runner you will be saying yes, yes, yes, yes Rik! And if you’re not a runner, this might inspire you to give it a try.

Runner sculpture at Churt, Surrey



Why take the risk?

Why do I push myself? To say yes, when sometimes things scare me? To put myself in risky situations like eating out, when I know I am severely allergic to nuts and dairy? Why do I accept challenges that put me way out of my comfort zone?

Because even though sometimes, having life threatening allergies can be terrifying, life can’t be lived by hiding at home. Having eczema can make any exercise a challenge but again, going out for painful, uncomfortable runs while my skin was pretty bad did help me heal.

If you just say no. Give in. Sit and wait to heal. If you live in a bubble, life won’t come to you. You have to go out there and grab it! I think it’s the same with healing. You CAN have an effect on your healing journey. You can make that journey better.

Living through this lockdown has made many of us feel isolated and like we are trapped at home. For me, it’s actually been a revelation. It took away a lot of the normal anxieties, like meals out, dinner invitations, coffee shops, going on dates! I had a healing crisis (really shitty skin from topical steroid withdrawal) which meant no pressure to go out, be seen or visit anyone. I could legitimately hide my face. But recently I realised I’ve used it as an excuse to stay at home in my safe place.

And that’s OK. At times it’s good to make your world smaller so you can find some strength to carry on. I’ve learnt a lot about myself and what’s important to me over these last few months and I’ve actually thrived during this period of isolation. But now we are all coming out of our homes and trying to get back to some kind of new normal, it’s got me thinking.

Whilst some of the limitations I place on myself must remain, such as always carrying two adrenaline auto-injectors, my inhaler, always planning and checking meals out. Carefully planning holidays and yes, my holiday destinations are limited to countries and places where I can have some control over my eating environment. And that’s OK with me. If I have my running shoes, my hiking boots, books, music, coffee, cake and beer I’m in heaven.

Now I am saying yes to things, because having faced death a few too many times, I am just so grateful to be here. I feel alive. I feel so bloody alive!

I love my life, my home, my family and my amazing friends and support network. Thank you all for being there for me.

And throughout this period of isolation, the healing, the realisations and the lessons I’ve learnt have often solidified on a run. Running was the one constant throughout lockdown. I ran, from day one.

I ran because it made me feel alive.

Reaching new heights (from the back of bench) for a Chiltern Harriers Lockdown Challenge

I ran because if my exercise was mandated and restricted I was going to use it!

I ran because I live alone and getting out of the house on a daily basis is good for the soul.

Because I have always loved running, since I was a child. It comes naturally to me. That feeling of stretching the legs, lengthening the stride and feeling the muscles burn.

That feeling of running so hard you can’t go another step further.

Because the sound of my feet hitting the ground, the birds singing and the wind in the trees made me feel free.

I ran to see the bluebells, that carpet of colour that never fails to lift my spirit. The smell of the delicate violet flowers is one of my favourites.

Why do I run? – pushing my boundaries…

I ran to see the rhododendrons with their huge blowsy displays that transformed the woods into another world.

I ran with an eye for all the faces on the ancient tree trunks; some smiling, some sad, some threatening to whomp down a branch if you weren’t careful. Some cheeky, winking, crying, screaming and even some very rude ones!

The fallen branches resembling creatures just waiting to pounce or guarding secret lands.

Sometimes I can almost hear the trees speaking and buds unfurling; to me the woods are magical and alive.

During lockdown I ran to get out, to get through it, to make sense of it, to renew, to heal, to grow, to think, to learn, to cry, to live!

And now I run… whenever I can. When I am fit and able, you can find me running.

I run on trails, through fields, woods and countryside because being in nature fills me up.

I run to get faster, because there is nothing quite like a PB, a crown or a medal after a race.

Because even a really rubbish run lifts my mood.

I run because the place where I live is so beautiful, mostly unappreciated and blissfully quiet.

And it wasn’t because there was a running club session in my diary, or because it was Parkrun, although I do miss Parkrun.

Nb: If you miss Parkrun, you can take part in Fly5k – the virtual run anywhere Saturday 5k. It’s free to take part and you get to see your time alongside other local and global runners! It has an active Facebook page where you can share your PBs, run selfies and congratulate others. But most of all it’s fun and is one of the things that’s given me back that buzz to strive for faster times! Lockdown made me slow and steady. Fly5k gave me a lifetime PB of 23:44

BBC 3 Counties radio interview with Nana and Rick

Last week I was excited to be invited onto BBC 3 counties radio, Health Show with Nana Akua, to talk about the psychological impact of living with life threatening allergies.

Nana is a brilliant interviewer and really put me at ease.

The lovely Nana Akua

I love it when a presenter has really done their research and actually prepared some insightful and quite challenging questions. I really enjoyed the whole interview, despite the echo back I was hearing! Very off putting but I think I styled it out!

You can listen here:



Listen to the interview on BBC 3 Counties Radio, Health Show with Nana Akua, 15th July 2020

There are some really serious points to be made and also some really funny moments.

The very real impact of panic attacks and anxietyWhat it’s like to face death, to feel like you are actually going to die from anaphylaxisThat peanut kissDating with allergies and totally ludicrous things some men have said to me!And on stalking… I am totally (socially) stalking Nana (and Rick but don’t tell him)



Just to make you laugh – Excited Rick Astley fan! (Look at my eyebrows!)

A lovely end to the interview was getting to choose a feel good song. It had to be Rick Astley, ‘Angels by my side’, which seemed really relevant in the circumstances.

Click on this link here to find out more about The Reluctant Allergy Expert: How to kill the fear that allergies could kill you.

Hope you enjoy listening and I’d love to hear from anyone else who is struggling with anxiety about their allergies. You are not alone! I hope by talking and raising awareness we can help others to get the support they need.

She’s not fat and that’s not eczema!

This is something I’ve been wanting to write about for a long time. Diversity is a huge subject at the moment and it affects so many areas of our lives. As a human nation we are all different sizes, different colours and come from wide ranging backgrounds. We all have different challenges in our lives and yet if you look at the media, at the visual representation of our nation, you’d think we were all immaculate, slim, clear skinned, pale skinned, lean, athletic versions of perfection.

Whether you are dealing with eczema and topical steroid withdrawal, need a wheelchair, live with constant pain or don’t have a body that conforms to the perfection our media industry pushes, this affects you.

We all need kindness, empathy and understanding. We just want respect.

Adobe Stock I’m talking to you…

I recently wrote to Adobe Stock about some pictures they had in their image library, categorised as ‘Fat woman running’. This was after a friend drew my attention to the issue after searching for ‘exhausted runner’. It seems in bad taste to describe any woman as ‘fat’, especially from a company with such a strong image and position. What also struck me was that these ‘fat’ women in the images, were not even fat. Most of them were maybe a size 12 or 14. They had some curves and to me, were just normal people enjoying a run. Why is Adobe labelling these normal women as fat?

This woman is NOT fat! She is a normal woman!

As a runner myself, one of the things I LOVE about ALL my running friends is that we are all so different. We don’t conform to any norm and everyone is so inclusive, understanding and kind. Maybe there is something in running that breeds a nicer kind of person! Every runner I’ve ever met has an innate love of their sport and enjoys nothing more than encouraging this pastime in others, no matter what their skillset or experience.

Adobe never replied. They ignored my tweets. Not even a response to say they’ll take a look at the categorisation of their image gallery.

If you then delve further into Adobe’s image library you’ll discover that there is very little diversity.

If you search for yoga – something I did recently when I wrote a blog about Yoga for skin health, all the people doing yoga are white skinned and female. I know many people who practise yoga and again, they’re all different… from different backgrounds, sizes, fitness levels. Yet we all come together to practise and it doesn’t matter what we look like.

If you search for eczema, whilst there are some images of what eczema skin looks like, there are some weird images of people with skin I want to stroke it’s SO smooth, and some kind of red blob to indicate they have a rash! What’s that all about? This isn’t eczema.

So many brands sell beauty products for sensitive skin, suitable for eczema and the imagery they use is all perfect women with no imperfections in their skin. Men have eczema too but you see very few images of them.

If you search for allergies, you get a bunch of boring images of someone sneezing and guess what… they’re nearly all white, female and could all be from the same family.

This is just a tiny look at an issue that is going to take a long time to fix.

If you do see someone with allergies or eczema in a film they are usually portrayed in a weak part, and their asthma, bad skin, weaknesses, just hammer home that they’re not a strong part in the drama.

Yet we all know these conditions can affect anyone.

We just don’t see imperfection or diversity portrayed in the media we consume. We don’t see enough difference in magazines, newspapers, films, TV programmes… We all need to do better.

The world is not perfect. We all have a responsibility to take a look at our prejudices, our inner thoughts and judgements. Are you being fair? Are you being kind? Do you understand what a person is going through?

Think before you make assumptions about anyone.

What sort of example are we setting to our children? Do companies who provide images have a duty to address these complex issues?

I wouldn’t recommend Adobe. Be warned, if you try their 30 day trial and forget to cancel it, you’re also signing up to a year at extortionate rates. I know, I know, read the small print, but any company who operates in this way is not one I want anything to do with. They did give me a refund but I had to really push to get it. Why tie people into a contract if they don’t want your product? Let them go. They don’t like you and are far more likely to try you again when they do need more imagery if you haven’t made it very difficult in previous dealings.

I think you get the picture that I’m disappointed in Adobe stock and any other company who perpetuates the lack of diversity we’ve become used to.

I’d love to hear your views on this.

Rant over.

On another note, I would recommend Pexels if you want decent inclusive, diverse images for your creative project.

Healing bad hand eczema

I’ve always struggled with the skin on my hands and can’t remember having soft skin, although I think I must have done at some point. Over the years I’ve come up with my own way of giving them a bit of TLC to help them heal.

Healing hand eczema flares



Healing fingers, they got so split and sore from over washing and alcohol spray

When my hands get bad I treat them to a kind of pampering session, an intensive treatment to try to give them a helping hand. I don’t do this all the time but when the skin flares up, splits and cracks, this technique can really help. I do this just before I go to bed as bandaging can make it hard to do much!

Firstly wash hands in an epsom salt bath – You can either do this in a bowl or I have a proper bath and soak the whole body at the same time. I am a sucker for a bath. The longer you can soak your hands the better, ideally 20-30 minutes. I buy good quality plain Epsom salts in a large tub because I get through quite a lot. Epsom Salts Medical Grade, 10 kg[image error] But there are loads of alternatives. Magnesium, dead sea salts and Himalyan pink salt. You could combine all types or experiment.Apply aloe vera and tea tree liberally all over hands – This can sting at first but that sensation wears off pretty quickly. Then I wait for that to dry into a sort protective layer. You could use witch hazel, manuka honey or other healing natural ingredients. (3 PACK) – Aloe Pura – Aloe Vera Gel + Tea Tree | 200ml | 3 PACK BUNDLE[image error]Moisturise – Then I apply emollient liberally. I’ve been using Balmonds ‘Lavender baby balm’ on my hands, in quite thick layers. You could use any emollient of your choice, I’ve used Epaderm too. Wrap hands in bandages – You could use cotton gloves. It’s time consuming and messy sometimes but I am able to keep my hands on a healing trajectory. Using bandages like this is costly as they are only good for one use but they do stay on better than gloves which are easy to remove in the night. You can find them cheaply in local Savers and Pound shops. If you are doing moisture withdrawal I’m not sure if wrapping would help, other than stopping you scratching. It can help to use some vinyl plastic gloves first and then cotton gloves over the top to really seal in moisture but it does feel a bit weird.Tubular bandages – these can help too if you get tight enough ones, cut a thumb hole and that can help to cover your hand from knuckles to wrist.Keep fingernails short – I have nail files everywhere, and I file my nails all the time. Keep the short and keep them smooth edged, the latter probably being more important. A sharp bit of nail can do incredible damage. Some people swear by acrylic nails as these do less damage too but I can’t afford to maintain that.Moisturise often – I try to moisturise my hands after washing them and if they feel dry and tight. Have pots of suitable emollient of balm available in all rooms of your house to encourage you to remember. I often think about moisturising and then forget, only to realise I’m scratching later in the day… dry skin can signal itchy skin.



It’s all about the gloves…



Washing up – Wear gloves to wash the dishes, preferably not latex/rubber gloves as these can be allergenic. I use vinyl washing up gloves. Deluxe washing up gloves with latex free cotton lining Vinyl cleaning gloves 2 Pairs[image error]Food preparation – Wear gloves for chopping vegetables as the juice from these can really irritate your skin if you have open splits and cuts, and even if you don’t. I often find I have an itching frenzy after meal prep. This may seem wasteful but does allow your hands to heal when they are particularly bad. Good Quality Box of 100 Powder – Free Clear Vinyl Gloves Small Size – Easy to Wear ==> Perfect for Daily use Multi-Purpose Gloves Food Safe – (Vinyl Clear Gloves, Small Size) I find I can wash them and reuse, up to a point.DIY and gardening – Protect your delicate hands. Often there is a fine balance going on. I use cotton gloves inside gardening gloves for both these tasks. You could use your vinyl washing up gloves too but I find they can become split and damaged so have a spare pair for this kind of job so you don’t end up with leaking washing up gloves. I’d advise also getting a size larger than you need so you can fit a pair of cotton ones on inside. It helps with rubbing and sweating and seems to prevent flare ups better than just wearing the vinyl or gardening gloves on their own.[image error]Protection – Wear cotton gloves at night and in the day if you want to protect your hands. I buy mine from Allergy Best Buys. This can help in many ways, not least to encourage you to pause before scratching your hands, but it will also prevent you from scratching other parts of your body, if you can keep them on!Geluscious gloves – I’ve been testing these lovely mineral gel gloves to help heal my hands. Check out the blog here to find out how I got on. https://whatallergy.com/2020/06/can-gel-gloves-help-heal-hand-eczema/ Check out their website at https://www.silipos.com/collections/skin-beauty-gel-gloves If you would like to purchase these gloves use code WHATALLERGY for 10% discount. This code is valid from from 18th June to 16th July 2020.

I’d love to hear how you keep your eczema hands soothed and what you do to heal flares. They are definitely my trouble area, along with my face, but they are healing, slowly!

Win a copy of The reluctant allergy expert

In case you missed it, my first ever book has just been published. ‘The Reluctant Allergy Expert: How to kill the fear that allergies could kill you‘ is out now and packed with information, advice and tips on how to thrive despite living with or caring for someone with life threatening allergies.

It’s available in both paperback and hardback on Amazon. Click below to buy your copy:

The Reluctant Allergy Expert: How to kill the fear that your allergies could kill you[image error]

This is a massive achievement for me and I’m so proud. I have always dreamed of being a writer, ever since I was a small child and documented my aspirations in my teenage diaries. Sadly, then, I was not really encouraged to follow that dream and never had the confidence in my ability but I got there in the end.

It was like therapy writing this book and I learnt so much through the writing process and strengthened my own resilience and acceptance of being at risk of anaphylaxis.

Here I am with a copy of my new book, The Reluctant Allergy Expert



One copy to be won!

I wanted to give something back to you guys as I know not everyone can afford to buy a book and many of you are struggling to make sense of your diagnosis. It is difficult to make that leap from finding out you could be at risk from anaphylaxis and learning to own it, live with it and feel totally confident to move forward in life positively. It can be overwhelming for both you and your child.

To be win a copy of The Reluctant Allergy Expert, please leave a comment below about why you think you would like a copy. I will choose a winner from the comments. Good luck everyone!

I can’t wait to see your comments

Atopic dermatitis life hacks

I am so thrilled to have been involved with this brilliant initiative to raise awareness of atopic dermatitis, what it’s like living with AD, and our life hacks for coping.

This photo was actually taken in October 2018, nearly two years ago…

Left to right: Aramide, Steph, Zainab, Amara and me!

It’s a lovely memory of the day I met four lovely ladies who I have remained friends with to this day and I am so proud to call them that. We’ve met up since at various at TSW meetups and keep connected on social media.

Eczema and atopic dermatitis are life limiting conditions and all five of us have been through a lot with our skin journeys.

Aramide is still going through topical steroid withdrawal but is definitely through the worst. She is looking amazing and working on healing her skin from the inside with healthy food and supplements. She still gets mild flares and flakeoffs but is pleased with her progress. I really connected with Ram and we chat regularly, she is my #TSWWIFESteph is now doing really well after going through Topical Steroid Withdrawal. She is also now taking Methotrexate and this is working well for her.Zainab has also gone through topical steroid withdrawal and whilst she’s not completely healed, her quality of life his so much better.Amara has healed almost completely from her eczema after starting to take Methotrexate this year. She hopes to stay on the drug for a year or two and then taper off use with the view to being drug free.Me? I’m doing OK. In the photo above, I was using topical steroids and protopic on my face. I’m now one year and five months topical steroid free and most of my body is now completely healed. I hardly need to moisturise my back, torso, chest, legs or arms. I have some problem areas; my face, neck, the elbow crease on my arms and the backs of my knees but it’s all healing every day.

What’s most important to me, reading back over our progress above and watching the videos from the day we all met to chat all things AD, is that none of us are using topical steroids now. This is amazing and I’m so proud of all our bravery and progress.

Here are our life hacks

During the focus group we talked about how living with eczema affected out lives. It was an emotional session and really great to spend time with people who really GOT it. Each of us shared our life hacks…

Amara Howe

Aramide AKA My Atopic Skin

Steph AKA TSWsteph

My own life hack! and with a bit of hair sticking out at the back #standard

Zainab AKA tsw_beezeebuzz

Having AD, eczema and really any life limiting skin condition can have serious and long lasting effects on quality of life, emotional stability, mental health, self esteem, shame, guilt, you name it… Let’s talk about it. Let’s break down that stigma over skin conditions.

Please also watch the video at the bottom of the #changeAD page (link below), it really hits home how much eczema affects those who have it. And we have only really started to scratch beneath the surface… it goes so deep, bone deep. Deep into our hearts and our souls. The shame we all carry with us. But now, for me, there is also hope that one day I will live without pain and the constraints of this terrible skin condition.

The campaign seeks to change how AD is viewed, hence the hashtag #ChangeAD

You can read the full article and watch a very poignant video where a number of women discuss how living with eczema has affected their lives here: Living with atopic dermatitis

If you have eczema, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis or are going through topical steroid withdrawal I would love to hear from you. How are you getting on? What are you AD life hacks?

Could a pill prevent anaphylaxis?

I saw this headline and thought of that dream we have of a cure for anaphylaxis. If you could just take a pill to stop anaphylactic reactions. But is it safe? What might the side effects be?

As someone going through withdrawal from topical steroids I’m very wary of drugs, especially any with such lofty claims.

The drug, known as BTK (Bruton’s tyrosine kinase) inhibitors, block the BTK enzyme found inside mast cells. These are the primary cells that react during allergic reactions; when triggered by allergens and allergic antibodies they release histamine and other allergic mediators. The researchers believe the new drug could prevent this trigger.

Sounds promising…

Demonstrating the use of adrenaline injectors with Dan (May Contain) Natasha Ednan-Laperouse and Quentin Howard at the Allergy Show

When the only current solution is avoiding your allergen, which can be a really challenging mission when the seem to hidden in so many places.

Carrying adrenaline is the only line of defence for those with potential life threatening allergies and most will be prescribed two adrenaline auto-injectors to carry with them at all times. It’s reassuring to have these with you but there is always that worry. What if…?

Further reading reveals that some poor mice have been experimented on which always makes me sad. I guess, to see progress, researchers need to test these drugs… but are mice really the same as humans? It’s simulated and not the same as testing on real humans. But the pharmaceutical companies would never be allowed to do that. Putting aside any views on animal experimentation…

This would be the first known treatment to prevent anaphylaxis other than avoiding the allergen. 

“This pill could quite literally be life-changing and life-saving,” said senior and corresponding author, Dr Bruce Bochner, the Samuel M. Feinberg Professor of Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “Imagine being able to take medication proactively to prevent a serious allergic reaction.” 

You can read more here in “A drug which could prevent anaphylaxis”.

Would you welcome this advancement?

Would you take this pill? Would you have to take it every day or just when eating out?

It’s probably still a long way off being released to market but it has been approved by the FDA.

I’d be scared of this to be honest but I don’t think I trust big pharmaceutical companies.

But imagine never having that fear on your shoulders every time you leave your house.

Imagine a life where you never had to worry about allergies and anaphylaxis ever again!

I’d love to hear your thoughts

Photo by JESHOOTS.com from Pexels