Ruth Holroyd's Blog, page 5

Calling all food service companies

If you work in food service you need to be looking at attending this event, Catering for Allergies – Creating a dialogue in the hospitality industry.

It’s taking place on Wed, 21 Jun 2023, 9:30 – 5pm at the School of Chemical Engineering in Birmingham.

Event details

Catering for allergies is a complex topic, which often brings up confusion and controversy.

Our aim is to create a dialogue between hospitality, food safety professionals and the consumers. We want this conference to bring different perspectives from the allergic diner, the CEO of a restaurant group, a technology platform focused on allergy reviews and food safety experts.

Aims and objectives

The conference aims to:

Explore the reality of serving customers with allergiesThe legal obligations how to go beyond legal compliance and offer customers the best possible experience.Explore common place mistakes often seen in hospitalityInvite all attendees to reflect on how to encourage excellence in hospitality in their own workplaceInspire and start a dialogue about food allergens and implicationsShow the opportunities within this space for repeat business and raving fans

We want anyone attending to feel empowered to make positive changes and see things from a different perspective.

Key speakers include:

You’ll hear from the following experts in the food allergy and food service industry:

Ruth Holroyd, WhatAllergyDominic Jones, CEO of JPRestaurantsLisa Winnall and Iain Ferris, Food Safety Law expertsLiljia Polo-Richards, Director of Allergy Companions LimitedStella Holt, Food Allergen TrainingHow to book your place

Visit Event Brite using the button below to book your place for just £65 each.

Get tickets

This is a unique and exciting opportunity to hear from experts and make sure your food service establishment is ahead of the game. Please pass this to your boss, your colleagues and your local pub or restaurant who you’d love to get a better understanding of food allergen catering.

Photo by Elle Hughes on Pexels

You may also be interested in reading;Food to Go with food allergiesAnaphylaxis – The Essential Guide – The book that will explain it all and the emotional toll it takesGet 10% off Equal Eats food allergen dining cardsThe Trip Advisor for people with allergiesThe post Calling all food service companies first appeared on What Allergy Blog.

Please cover up your eczema / psoriasis, it offends me

Imagine you’re a guest at a friend’s wedding and the bride asks you to go home and cover your skin because she doesn’t want other guests having to ask about and being put off their food. What would you do?

I’ve just read an article, “Woman leaves friend’s wedding after being called out for not covering her skin.” and it’s sparked a whole debate in a whatsapp group I’m in. Thanks Olivia for sharing the article.

Vitiligo, a skin condition that causes skin to lose the pigment and colourAsked to cover up your psoriasis by the bride

To cut a long story short, a guest at her friend’s wedding was asked to go home and cover up or conceal her visible skin condition, in this case psoriasis. Quite rightly the woman’s partner pointed out that if they were not welcome they would leave. The guest had been trying to find makeup and concealer that would work but it has only made her skin itchy, causing her to scratch and make it even worse.

Matters got worse when the bride then proceeded to complain about the friend having to leave after her wedding as it had really upset her and ruined her day.

Is there ever an excuse to ask someone to cover themselves?

This article made me really cross. How dare the bride do that? If it were me it would make me question the friendship and I’m not sure I would want to be around someone with so little empathy, sympathy or resilience.

But it got us thinking, my friends and I… where is a comment like this coming from and why is it made in the first place?

The biological inbuilt fear of discomfort

Sasha brought up evolution, and how we all have an in-built fear of the unknown, discomfort and pain. In the animal kingdom they will shun an injured comrade and even sometimes kill it. I’ve seen crows peck and attack and eventually kill another crow that couldn’t fly any more.

Surely humans have evolved way past the caveman instinct to keep away from people who might be sick and pass on disease.

It’s like clearing the streets of homeless people so you no longer feel uncomfortable seeing them.

It’s the old thinking that had children born with disabilities put into care homes because god forbid someone found out or saw you with a disabled child.

We have moved on from that. We are more civilised nation on the whole. But can we use this argument to understand perhaps why the bride reacted in the way she did?

Only wanting shiny beautiful people at her wedding day.

What is this obsession with perfection and a flawless complexion?

Just a quick scroll of Instagram, the TV, or a glossy magazine will show you just how obsessed we are as a nation with appearance, beauty, perfection and flawless ageless skin.

We need to change our way of thinking, to embrace difference and show compassion and empathy for people with facial and body differences. What is someone was born with a defect that means their face is a different shape? Or they have a skin condition like eczema, psoriasis or vitiligo? Actually, anyone who is disabled, guys it’s a lot to live with. The level of personal questions we get, or discrimination is unbelievable.

You have no right to anyone’s personal medical diagnosis

If you look at people and think… why are they in a wheelchair? What is wrong with their skin? How did they get born with such a deformity? Then this next part is for you. And sadly ladies it’s mostly the female’s of the species who ask these kinds of questions. To men we just become invisible. Ignored by half the population and just pitied by the rest. I mean things like this:

What on earth happened to your skin? Don’t you moisturise?Why are you in a wheelchair?Were you born like that? and what is your condition called?Why don’t you wear makeup to cover up your skin? I wouldn’t be able to leave the house looking like thatYou’re so brave going out like thatWhat’s wrong with your baby’s skin? You need to get some steroids on that! The amount of judgement eczema mums get it insane. Please don’t do it. Unless someone asks you for advice, the don’t want it! Can you please cover up your skin while at my wedding? Really takes the biscuit that oneAnd if I ever say something like… “I’m so itchy at the moment and my skin is really sore.” one of my least favourite comments, which probably seems like a nice one is… “Oh your skin looks fine, I can’t even notice anything.” It’s so dismissing and gaslighty… I am in pain and I just opened up to you and you just waved it off…

Have you ever asked anything like the above?

These snowflakes, what on earth can you say?

I’ve been called a snowflake too which is nice (NOT). I’m not saying no one can ever ask me a question. Kids can ask me whatever they like because they are learning and genuinely might not have seen eczema before. To kids I explain I have a skin condition but that’s it not catching, it’s called eczema and I don’t use any topical steroids on my skin because long term has been very damaging. Usually they just nod and say, huh. OK. Some of them ask if it hurts, so I’ll explain how itchy and sore it can be. I love how kids just take in information like a sponge.

Most days I’ll respond politely to adults too, explain the situation and move the conversation on. But when it happens all the time it’s really hard sometimes. If you’re scared thinking, god what can I say that isn’t going to upset the person? You are not alone. Here’s few things to consider:

Take a few seconds before speaking and start a conversation that isn’t based on appearance. People just want to be normal and might have spent hours getting ready to face the world.Compliment them on something – instead of pointing out their red skin, lack of makeup, or flakes… find something nice to say. Like, “I love your scarf. Where did you get it?” Ask if there is anything you can do to help and support them, if you know they’re struggling.They are more than their appearance, condition or disability. Find out about the real person and bypass their situation entirely… UNLESS they ask you for advice that is, or start to discuss their condition. Then it’s game on!

Anyway I hope this list helps. Basically speak about anything BUT the nosy question you may have. If you know them really well I’m sure you can ask how their skin is doing. I don’t mind that when good friends ask as I know they are aware what’s been going on. Just read the room. If you don’t know the person very well, don’t ask!

We have our support groups

Most of us have found our tribe, we have our support groups of like minded folks with the same condition and I for one am a member of some truly enriching and helpful whatsapp groups and friendship circles. We know that we can have a moan about our skin together and the other person totally gets it. If you haven’t found your tribe there are groups on facebook, instagram and tiktok. And if you’re not a fan of social media, reach out on google, search for blogs, contact the charities and ask them to put you in touch with someone. Click on the Links button above for guidance.

Have you ever asked an inappropriate question?

I’ve written about this before and I have a few rules you can follow, if you’re unsure.

If you’re just being nosy, don’t say it.If the person can’t change it in five seconds, like a bogey on their nose or something – don’t commentIs it kind? and helpful? Nope? Don’t say it.Is it true? Really true? A lot of things people say are just banter but we get them so often it becomes a chore to laugh along and be a good sport.

Check out “Responding to difficult comments” for some suggestions of how to reply. Rehearsing your response to awkward and difficult questions can really help.

I’ve been told not to be so sensitive, but I don’t think me being sensitive is the issue, it’s you being rude!

Let’s have a headed debate! I would love to hear your thoughts.

You may also be interesting in reading:Changing Faces is a charity that helps provide support and promotes respect for everyone with a visible difference.The shape of skin, poems for people with itchy, sore skinPlease stop using the word ‘sufferer’.

Photo of Vitiligo by Armin Rimoldi on Pexels

The post Please cover up your eczema / psoriasis, it offends me first appeared on What Allergy Blog.

Roundup of sensitive skin deodorants

This is such a hot topic for me, having struggled with both shaving due to very sensitive skin and also finding a deodorant that doesn’t irritate my skin.

I have spent HOURS researching this, so I thought I’d share my findings with you guys. I hope it helps. For transparency, I’ve not used all of the below, but some I have tested and loved. Bionsen was my go to for years and I love their products. Switched to FitPit during TSW but have also used Salt of the Earth. Currenlty testing MooGoo and love it!

The following are mostly UK based companies but I will try to expand to cover other brands in time. Please pop a comment below if you have a product I’ve not featured!

NoBrandPriceProsCons1Bionsen£8.30 for 100mlAluminum free, no parabens. One of the first natural deodorants to come onto the market. Japanese ingredients.Plastic packaging2FitPit£12.47 for 100mlFragrance free
Glass jar
Natural and simple ingredientsHeavy for travel, but you could decant a small amount.3MooGoo£10.90 for 115mlLovely ingredients, currently testing and love this one. 15% off if you sign up for their newsletter.Plastic packaging4WildGet started for £25Really cute cases, refills. Aluminium and paraben free and single use plastic free. They offer plans, sensitive and are vegan.Does use plastic but also sell refills so you don’t throw it out. Expensive to get started but refills are affordable.5Salt of the EarthFrom £5They do crystal salt sticks and a whole range of others. 10% off your first order.Can sting and also become sharp6NuudStarter pack £12.95 (lasts 6-7 weeks). Get 10% off when you sign up to the newsletter. No stains, absorbs quickly. You just need a pea size blob of cream. Subscription service. Available across Europe. They say it costs less than £8 per month per person.7Get Fussy£15 starter pack and £18 refill packs. As seen on Dragon’s Den. Plastic free refillable and reusable deodorant sticks. Subscribe for 25% off. Pricey!8LumeStarter pack $44 Claims to work on the whole body; pits, privates and beyond! Though I’m not sure I’d use it everywhere. Subscribe to get 15% off. Free Shipping in the US. no aluminum, baking soda, or parabens. Lume is clinically proven to BLOCK body odor all day and continues controlling B.O. for 72 hours.Seems more expensive9AKT£28 for a starter pack. Currently discounted to £22Plastic free and recyclable. Aluminium free natural deodorant. 15% off when you subscribe and free shipping on orders over £35.10Natural Deoco£12.50100% natural, aluminium free cream deodorant. Apply once for 24 hours of protection. Delivered in plastic free, refillable, sustainable packaging. Comes in a glass jar. They also do minis for travelling.11WeledaFrom £8.50This brand is well respected in the skincare community. Range includes roll-ons and sprays. Free from antiperspirants including aluminium salts, synthetic preservatives, fragrances, colorants and raw materials derived from mineral oils.12No pong$8.95 for 35gAvailable in the US and Canada. Award-winning natural deodorant, made from a blend of all-natural, delicious ingredients.13Green People£12.50 for 75mlThey have a range of products to choose from, all alluminium freePlastic packaging14Kind-ly£11An Australian brand. 100% Natural Deodorant collection enriched with probiotics and magnesium. 10% off your first order. 1 time purchase and subscribe and save options.Plastic packaging15Dr Organic£5.9910% off your first order. organic deodorants are aluminium-free, contain non pore clogging formulas and include soothing Aloe Vera, nourishing Manuka Honey and purifying Tea Tree Oil. Recycled and recyclable packaging.Plastic packaging16VicoFrom 12.99 EurosIrish brand. Get 10% off your first order. Free shipping if you spend over £30. Vegan, cruelty free and sustainable! No nasty chemicals like aluminum or paraben.  Plastic free packaging.Natural and sensitive skin Deodorants – copyright whatallergy.com

I really hope you find this list helpful.

Things I’ve learnt about deodorantsMaybe we don’t even need them – Having Topical Steroid Withdrawal forced me to stop using soap to wash and stop using deodorant too and since doing that for years now I notice I no longer have smelly armpits, my sweat doesn’t smell and I could almost go without using any deodorant at all!It’s an obsession – As a nation we are obsessed with how we smell and have lost sight with how humans used to interact – where someone’s natural odour may have been what attracted us to them.Too many fragrances – Bedlinen, clothes, fabrics, furniture all has to ‘smell fresh’ so people spray them with toxic chemicals to achieve this…what on earth is that all about? Plug in fragrances are my nemesis and I have to hunt them down, unplug and hide them. We should clean stuff if it smells and try to live a simpler life. Consider also some people are allergic to perfumes yet most people are out there covered in them. So much plastic – All the recycling and constant waste we all produce is destroying our planet. Even small changes to products that use less packaging can really help and there are so many companies out there doing this. Many of those listed above are using recycled, recyclable or more ethical packaging so do your research and do your bit to save our planet,Switching to natural deodorant

You might find your armpits smell more when you stop using mainstream antiperspirants and deodorants, but persevere. It can take the body about 30 days to adjust to being allowed to do its thing! If you’re washing your body and clothes this shouldn’t be too much of a hardship and I’d say it’s well worth the effort in the long run.

Can we also talk about shaving our armpits?

This has been infuriating me lately. I am horrified about anyone seeing my hairy armpits but am unable to shave them, due to it just making my skin inflamed, itchy and painful. But why do I care so much? I remember getting my first razor when I was in my early teens, so what is this obsession with removing all body hair? Why do we think it’s so disgusting? I am trying to embrace my hairy body because it’s a damn sight easier on your sensitive skin. But I still struggle. Girls do you shave? Boys do you? Should we feel comfortable with our own body hair?

What am I currently using?

I have FitPit at the moment, chosen after my extensive research for it’s no fragrance and very simple natural ingredients and glass jar. I find it works well. I use it when I run or exercise mostly and don’t generally use any on normal days. I have also been testing MooGoo which was gifted to me and is also very gentle and kind to my skin.

Other reviews of natural deodorants

There are quite a few blogs and reviews on the internet of the best natural deodorant products. Check out the following:

Holland & Barrett – 6 of the best natural deodorantsThe no BS guide to homemade deodorantsThe effect or habitual and experimental use of antiperspirants on armpit microbiomeYou may also be interested in readingAre you allergic to fragrances and chemicals?How clean is your indoor air quality?Can Collagen help eczema and TSW skin?

Photo by Cliff Booth on Pexels

The post Roundup of sensitive skin deodorants first appeared on What Allergy Blog.

Does your baby have a cow’s milk allergy?

If you have a baby that has a diagnosed dairy milk allergy, or you suspect they are reacting to milk, you could be eligible to take part in a special study, The Dream Study, which aims to explore desensitisation to cow’s milk allergy.

A randomised controlled trial assessing Desensitisation to cow’s milk, following partially or extensively hydrolysed formulae feeding Regimens, in children with Allergy to cow’s Milk (The DREAM study).

https://www.dream-trial.org.uk/

Why are we doing this research?

Cow’s milk allergy (CMA) is a response by the body in which proteins in cow’s milk are recognised as a foreign substance and the immune system reacts to them by developing allergic symptoms. One type of CMA is caused by the immunoglobulin E antibody (called IgE). With this type of CMA, symptoms can appear within minutes of consuming cow’s milk or up to two hours afterwards.

There is currently no standardised treatment for CMA infants

CMA is one of the most common food allergies in infants, however, there is no standardised way to treat it. Current guidelines suggest complete avoidance of all products containing cow’s milk and waiting for the allergy to resolve spontaneously. The ‘Milk Ladder’ is also supported, which involves slowly reintroducing processed milk and dairy products back into the baby’s diet however, the Milk Ladder is not always suitable for all babies with cow’s milk allergy.

Who qualifies for this study?

If you are interested in this study you would need to meet some criteria:

Baby has moderate to severe cow’s milk allergyInfants who do not breast-feed, use an ‘extensively hydrolysed milk formula’ as their main diet. Infants who are part breast fed and part hydrolysed milk forumala fedBaby is between 6-12 months oldWhat is hydrolysed milk and how does it help?

The milk protein is broken down to very small bits, so that the infant does not react to it. However, these formulas are expensive, often have a bad taste and they do not help infants to overcome their allergy. The DREAM study will use a ‘partially hydrolysed milk formula’, which means that the milk protein is still broken down but in larger bits. We predict that such a formula, which is cheaper and tastier, will also help infants to overcome their allergy sooner. Infants in the DREAM study will be given either one of these formula milks to be fed freely or will follow a strict schedule (oral immunotherapy), depending on how much they react to cow’s milk.

Will one year of feeding hydrolysed formula milk treat CMA in infants?

The aim of the trial is to find out whether one year of feeding with a partially hydrolysed formula milk is more effective than feeding with an extensively hydrolysed formula milk, as a treatment for 6-12 month old infants with moderate-severe cow’s milk allergy.

How can I get involved with this CMA study?

If you would like to apply for this study, please visit the Dream Study website and complete the short survey. There you can also see the study centres taking part and find out more about what’s involved in the study.

You may also be interested in reading:New plant based growing up milk for cow’s milk allergic infantsHow to identify cow’s milk allergy in babiesCheck out the NICE guidelines for Cow’s Milk Allergic children20 tips for Free From Food on a budget

Photo by Sarah Chai on pexels

The post Does your baby have a cow’s milk allergy? first appeared on What Allergy Blog.

20 tips for Cow’s milk dairy allergy in cafes

Living with a dairy allergy means I’m not an expert in navigating possible exposure to airborne and the cross contamination from dairy in cafes and restaurants and I have come up with my top 20 tips for eating/drinking out with a dairy allergy SAFELY!

Staying safe with Dairy allergy in cafes – airborne and cross contamination

I’ve got a few things that I do on the regular to keep me safe from exposure to cow’s milk. Here are my tips and cautions for staying safe in cafes with a dairy allergy. Things to watch out for include:

Ask about plant milks – Do they stock them and if so which types? Depending on your allergies, you might be able to have them. Check the brands and ingredients – If you’re not sure, ask to examine the carton.Tell them about your allergy – If you have an allergy, intolerance, coeliac disease, tell staff and explain what precautions are necessary.Dirty rag – if you see them using that filthy rag the wipe the spout with, ask them not to use it, to just make your coffee without using that frother spoutAsk for a clean or no stirrer – They often reuse the stirrer too! Stirring every drink with the same one! They just pop it in a jug of water or something. Don’t risk it! Ask them not to stir yours.Ask for cold milk – Something about heating the milk causes a lot of cross contamination or chances for the wrong milk being used. It’s easier to see that it’s a different milk when it’s cold on the side. It’s either the frothing machine, or the jug used for frothing not being cleaned properly, but I’ve had so many near misses with this.Ask for milk in a jug on the side – this way if you’re not sure you can decide not to add it. If you didn’t see the brand, or couldn’t confirm what milk was used and check ingredients, doing this means you have a choice and can decide not to have it. Once it’s poured into your drink it’s very hard to tell the difference.Ask to pour the milk yourself – Some cafes will let me do this also, and that makes me feel super safe when I can check the ingredients, and see it in front of me.Herbal tea can be safer – You won’t need milk in it and you can see that’s safeTest some on your hand – If in doubt, rub some coffee or milk on the back of your hand and if you’ are allergic you should get hives pretty quickly. I’ve started to do this when I’m feeling wary or anxious. My instincts have been correct so it’s an extra safety procedure.Take your own milk – Get a small bottle and take a portion of your own milk, that way you can be 100% sure your drink is safeSit far from the coffee making – If you can find a cafe with space so you can sit far away from where milk is frothed and becoming air borne, this will help.Sit outside if you can – Not great all year round but a really good option, it gets you far away from the milk vapoursFind a cafe with good ventilation and a back door – This has been my 2023 game changer. My mum and I have found a cafe we can visit regularly that doesn’t trigger asthma for me. The ventilation that occurs when front and back doors are regularly opened means milk vapour doesn’t build up in there. Find vegan cafes – There will be NO cow’s milk vapour! I’ve managed to find a few now and it’s been such a relief to not have to worry about my dairy allergy. If you have other allergies, like soya and nuts you will still need to be careful but I don’t tell these vaporise in the same way.Get a takeout – Another option is to get takeout, be careful using all the tips above, but take your drink to a nearby park, bench etc. Avoids milk vapours and is something we regularly do.Send back milk you didn’t ask for – This really annoys me. When I ask for black coffee and tell them I’m allergic to dairy and STILL get some milk. Send it back, tell them you don’t want it as you’re allergic. Only by calling this out will people learn. Ask for tables to be cleaned – Milk spilt on tables can also be a problem. I recently got hives on my hand after milk was spilt by mistake and we had to act quick to wipe it up. Wash hands immediately if this happens and ask staff to clean up for you and remove everything to limit your exposure.Take wet wipes – so you can clean the table yourselfAsk friends not to have milk – some of my friends join me with the oat milk so I know nothing on our table can cause me harmTake your own snacks – Go prepared so if others all get cake, pastries or cookies, you have something safe to eat!Say ‘Cow’s milk allergy‘ – saying dairy allergy doesn’t always make sense to some people. Using the most clear language can really help with communication.Carry an Equal Eats allergy dietary card – I always carry mine, they’re so useful and you can show to staff to help with communication. Visit Equal Eats to order your cards! And use code WHATALLERGY for 10% off.

I hope some of these help you guys and would love to hear your tips too.

How to order safe tea or coffee with a dairy allergy

This is what I say, “I have a very serious dairy and nut allergy, please can you make my drink black, don’t stir it and just hand it to me please?”

Just be really clear and concise, tell them what you’re allergic to, ask them to take care, show you labels and use clean utensils etc.

Cafes pose so many potential risks for people with dairy allergy

I really think cafes are unsafe for people with allergies, especially to cow’s milk allergy, unless you are very careful and take the precautions above. If you just order an oat milk latte there is so much that could go wrong!

Stay safe from milk allergy in your local cafe please!

Anyway I hope this helps. Stay safe, always check and ask and don’t risk it if you’re not 100% sure, didn’t see them pour your oat milk etc. Visit the Anaphylaxis UK website for their Milk Allergy Fact Sheet.

Do you have problems in cafes too? Do they make you wheeze? What do you do to keep safe?

You may also be interested in reading:Dairy allergy ate buttermilk by mistake and nothing happenedVegan and dairy free calcium sourcesRoundup of oat milks in the UKThe post 20 tips for Cow’s milk dairy allergy in cafes first appeared on What Allergy Blog.

20 tips for Free From food on a tight budget

This cost of living crisis we are going through at the moment is really tough. Everything costs more, from petrol to bread and milk, and there are shortages too of staple goods. If you’re allergic to certain food allergens, buying even basic food items becomes a real struggle and a constant worry.

Free from living on a tight budget – 20 tips for saving money with allergies 20 tips for saving money on free from food on a budget

Saving money on food shopping is already hard, without taking food allergies into consideration.

Scouring the budget bins – If you time it right you can get some real savings, but watch out for things that aren’t marked down much at all. Being savvy with discounts – not all discounts are a saving, we all know that. But sometimes you can get really good deals in different supermarkets for free from and plant based allergen safe foods. If you have the storage, make the most of deals on gluten free bread and freeze it. Plant milks have a long shelf life too so if you can grab a good deal get on it!Cooking from scratch – you might not like this option, but it can work out much cheaper. Get the cheaper cuts of meat, on the bone and do slow cooked stews and casseroles.Seasonal is cheaper – Stick to the seasonal fruit and vegetables as they will be cheaper. So in winter that’s apples, root vegetables, purple sprouting, sprouts etc.Meat as a treat – At the moment meat is very expensive. See it more as a treat rather than food you have for each meal. You can also swap to cheaper cuts but cutting down on meat will save you money and help the planet.Alcohol as a treat – Again, much as you may love your favourite tipple, it’s not a necessity. The more I cut back on the booze the less I really feel I need it. And maybe I’m just faking that till I make it, but since I can’t really afford nice wine, beer and pub trips, I’ll just have to take it. It’s definitely better for my skin and my wallet.Sign up for supermarket apps – you can often make regular savings using different supermarket apps. For instance, the Coop app gives you weekly offers on things you regularly buy. Anything from 25p off fresh vegetables to 75p off wine.Support local greengrocers – You can often get stuff cheap at the end of the day, and it can also be cheaper to buy from your local greengrocers rather than supermarkets.Check your local savers – Huge savings can be made if you’re not fussy on brands. Things like antihistamines and pain killers, bandages and dressings etc. can be very cheap.Sign up to newsletters – You often get 10% off, and emails letting you know about special offers at your favourite free from companies such as Creative Nature, Buy in bulk – It will usually save you on postage if you buy over £40 worth of free from goodies direct from your favourite brands. I do this with Glebe Foods (my beloved Pure Oaty that I can’t afford at the moment) and Creative Nature regularly.Find promo codes – Many brands have limited time and constant codes that can get your anything form 10 to 20% off your favourite products. Check out my own affiliate codes here Free From and Eczema discounts.Holland & Barrett BOGOF deals – H&B do regular discounts off free from food and skin care products when they have too much stock of items close to their use by date. You can get some amazing bargains on Buy one get one free deals if you’re on the ball. You can regularly find Balmonds Skin Salvation with a BOGOF and supplements and other free from products.Loyalty cards – Sign up for these and use them regularly. You can the STOCARD app for your phone so you are never left without the relevant card when you need it.Eating out cards – Restaurants like Nando’s, Costa and Starbucks do loyalty cards that will give you a free coffee or free portion of chicken after a certain number of purchases.Get the free water – I know eating is meant to be a treat, but if you choose carefully and opt for the free water in restaurants it really ads up how much you can save.Farmers markets – Can also have some great bargains, especially if you slide by as they’re packing up at the end of the day.Take your reusable coffee cup – You can sometimes get some money off your coffee if you do this and you save on wasteCommunity Fridges – A bit like a food bank, many local towns have set up community initiatives to help redistribute food that would otherwise go to waste. The difference here is you don’t need a referral. Anyone can go to the food fridge to take advantage of what’s available. This week I went for the first time and got eggs, avocado, a few turnips, a small carton of apple juice and a packet of crisps. It was a lunch for me and was very much appreciated. If you can eat wheat and dairy they had loads of bread and milk and some other things. You can’t rely on them having anything in particular, they get whatever is being thrown out, but it’s definitely worth swinging by if you’re struggling. They are usually open on a couple of days per week. Check out The Community Fridge network to find one near you. Thanks to the friends and my Mum for recommending this, I’m not too proud to accept this help. Food Banks – There is no shame in admitting you need help from a food bank. They are there to help you so check out whether you qualify. You will need to get a referral via your social worker, Citizens Advice or your doctor. Check out the Trussel Trust website to get started.Meal Boxes – If you sign up for some of the food meal box companies the new customer deals are amazing. You can get 40-60% off and as long as you cancel after your trial you’ll get some lovely meals for pretty good prices. They are often quite generous too so you can make them stretch to give you leftovers. Check out Hello Fresh, Gousto, Mindful Chef and Simply Cook. Be careful though, if you have allergies you will need to carefully scour each meal before selecting to make sure it’s safe for you. Read The Best Recipe Boxes Tried and Tested on the BBC website for inspiration.Too good to go app – Register for this free app and you’ll get the option to reserve and collect bags of hot and cold food from local shops and restaurants who would otherwise need to throw out that food. Request the app from the app store today. Features shops such as Wenzels, Leon, Waitrose, Asda, Coop and Costa to name a few. Thanks to Hannah, a lovely TSW friend for this recommendation.

I’ve been doing all these things for years now, but never have they all be more useful. I’d love to hear of other things you guys do to help make your earnings go that little bit further.

Change your mindset

It’s not nice and it’s not easy, but if you can sit with your situation, accept it and be OK with it, it won’t be so scary, degrading and humiliating. No one wants to admit they can’t cope with paying their bills. It’s like a failure, but it doesn’t need to be. Everyone has hard times during their lives for many different reasons.

For me, it’s a combination of a chronic illness, Covid, losing clients due to the current difficult economic climate and living on my own. I’m doing what I can and trust fully that I will find a way forward.

On the plus side, the extra time. the walks in nature and the slower pace of life have meant I am much happier in myself. Maybe I needed to slow down and do less. Perhaps it was time for me to change direction and try new things.

Finally, living with one or more life threatening allergies is serious business. And it’s well known that your favourite nut and milk free products come at a price premium. If you can’t afford them, switch to a more basic shopping trolley of meat, veggies, fruit and grains that are safe. Get your favourite treats and brands as a treat, rather than a necessity. Support them when you can and pray they are all still there when your finances recover.

Look at your finances

This is pretty obvious and one of the first things you should do. Here are a few things to look for:

Mortgage and rent – Are you on the best rate? I’m no expert on these things but get advice from a financial advisor and look at sites like Money Saving Expert for the most up to date advice.Bills – Look around for the best deal, it’s easy to swap these days and often companies will do it all for you. There are websites that help you compare prices, do a bit of research and you could save hundreds each year.Understand the minimum you need to live on – Take a good look at a couple of months in your bank statement. Make sure you understand all the bills that have to be paid, and what you need to spend on food, heating, petrol etc. Entertainment – give yourself a small budget for the odd coffee and treat, if you can, but stick to that rigidly. Apps and subscriptions – Check for all the apps and subscriptions you are signed up for. Often people aren’t even getting the magazine or using the app anymore. Wasted money! Can you cut back and cancel? Some are easy to stop but often you are tied in so make sure you are on top of when things expire.Organise an overdraft – You can usually request a reasonable overdraft of £500 to £1000 that will help you get from month to month without paying fees for going overdrawn.Bank – Some banks offer money back rewards for swapping. If you want to move bank, check out Money Saving Expert for the best deals. Some of the new online banks help you economise and manage your finances. You can set up alerts for when your bank goes below a certain amount, and really get on top of your finances.

I still have some of these activities to go through, like assessing the monthly bills for services like power and insurance. It;s time consuming but a great idea to spend time shopping around when it’s time to renew as you could save quite a bit.

Other things you can do to save money

Some of these are obvious, but they all add to help me save money regularly.

Walk or cycle – Instead of driving when you canEarly bird deals – Buy train tickets early to get super saver dealsParking – Research cheapest of free parking when you do drive places. Free or cheap entertainment – Arrange walks, cuppas at friend’s houses, film nights in over going out. Sounds dull but again, if needs must.Model days at hair dressers – You can often get a free cut and style at your local hair dressers when trainees are trying out styles and learning on the job. It’s obviously a slight risk you might ruin you barnet but I’ve had good experiences doing this. I have quite a simple hair style so it’s not difficult.Sell your stuff – I’ve been decluttering, both to friends, neighbours and charity shops. But I’ve also been selling stuff that could make a higher price on Vinted, Ebay and Facebook marketplace. If you have old iPhones, tablets, electrical items and brand name clothes you no longer use or need, you can make pocket money to help pay a few bills. It can take time, but be patient; I’ve made £300 on Vinted sales so far this year and put that towards my going out entertainment fund, paying bills etc Check out why I love Vinted – How Vinted made me money and got me more active.Honey app – You can download the Honey app to your desktop and it will look for promo codes every time you get to the checkout online. Microsoft Edge also does this. It’s not always successful but you can also earn points to get vouchers.Tell people you might need help

Finally, tell your friends and family if you’re struggling so they can take that into account and make it easier for you. It can seem like you’re turning down offers out, but if they know you really can’t afford it good friends will modify plans to include you.

How are you finding the cost of living crisis times? Are you struggling to make ends meet? It’s really not easy, since having to leave my job at the beginning of topical steroid withdrawal, Covid and lockdown and losing some clients, it’s really hard to get by on my own at the moment. I’m coping OK though and just about making ends meet each month with only a bit of over draft usage.

Feel like you might be able to help?

If you’d like to help me in some small ways, you could make use of my discount codes, some of them allow me to use affilate earnings for money off when I buy them e.g. Lyonsleaf – WA20 and smol laundry and cleaning products. And some earn my money to my bank, like Balmonds, Equal Eats, Obvs skincare and Pura Collagen. My Allergy and Eczema discounts are all here, all pre-vetted and much loved products.

You could also buy one of my books, Anaphylaxis – the essential guide, or The Shape of Skin. if you’ve already done so, please review them on Goodreads or Amazon (use the book links here to visit Amazon) – this really helps others to find them online.

You may also be interested in reading:Get £10 off your first fruit and veg box with OddboxBest washing powders and cleaning products for eczema and sensitive skinDairy allergic ate buttermilk by mistake – and not much happened!

Photo by cottonbro studio from Pexels

The post 20 tips for Free From food on a tight budget first appeared on What Allergy Blog.

Your cough medicine could cause anaphylaxis

Recent shocking news that an ingredient in many high street over the counter cough medicines might be linked to anaphylaxis is worrying news for anyone who struggles with congestion, coughs and colds.

This applies to all cough medicines that contain Pholcodine. Anyone who has used these cough syrups within the last year could be a risk.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said it was withdrawing pholcodine-containing medicines from the UK market as a “precautionary measure”, owing to the risk of anaphylaxis during general anaesthesia.

Read ‘Cough medicine with anaphylaxis risk to be removed from UK market, announces MHRA’.

This follows similar action carried out by the European Medicines Agency, which recommended the withdrawal of pholcodine-containing medicines from the EU market in December 2022.

This isn’t about food allergies

Don’t worry if you just have anaphylaxis to foods etc, these medications won’t be dangerous unless you have an anaesthetic. However they are being recalled because sometimes operations are not planned, and having a year window from when a person sook cough medicine is a long time. If you have taken one of these cough medicines just make sure you make people aware of you need to have anaesthetic for any reason.

Research into Pholcodine and the risk of anaphylaxis

This isn’t new either. Studies as far back as 2014 show this was a risk factor, and that as well as Pholcodine, an added risk factor was having a higher BMI.

Read the following if you want to find out more:

From 2014 – Exploring the link between pholcodine exposure and neuromuscular blocking agent anaphylaxis.May 2021 – Relationship of perioperative anaphylaxis to neuromuscular blocking agents, obesity, and pholcodine consumption: a case-control study.

Pholcodine was withdrawn from the Norwegian market after the risk of anaphylaxis was exposed.

Which cough relief products are affected?

Check your medicine cabinets for the following over the counter cough syrups:

Day and Night Nurse (GSK)Covonia (Thornton and RossMany own brand cough relief products sold by major multiples, including Boots, Superdrug and Well Pharmacy

This is only affecting medications containing Pholcodine.

How does Pholcodine cause anaphylaxis?

The medicine works directly in the brain, depressing the cough reflex by reducing the nerve signals that are sent to the muscles involved in coughing.

Taking pholcodine up to 12 months before general anaesthesia may increase the risk of having an NMBA-related anaphylactic reaction. NMBAs are Neuromuscular blocking agents used in anaesthetics to aid surgical procedures.

You aren’t in any risk at all unless you are given anaesthetic after taking these medicines within the space of a year, so don’t panic!

What ingredients are in most cough medicines?

Most over the counter cough syrups and medicines are mostly sucrose and a load of other flavourings and chemicals. Sucrose is also usually the first ingredient, meaning it makes up the largest part of the ingredients mix.

For example the ingredients for Covonia: Sucrose, glycerol 1.36g. capsicum oleoresin 500,000 ws, citric acid (E330), caramel (E150), maltitol liquid (contains sorbitol E420), blackcurrant & menthol flavour (containing E1520 propylene glycol), anise flavour L7802 (containing E1520 propylene glycol), hydroxyethyl cellulose, sodium benzoate (E211) and purified water. Do not use the medicine if you have an allergy to any of the ingredients listed.

Can you get sugar free cough sweets and medicines?

It’s not easy, most cough medicines are mostly sugar. I’ve not found anything yet, because if it’s sugar free it’s usually got some synthetic sugar in it. Why not just get some fresh lemons, root ginger and honey. Make yourself a hot lemon, grind in a teaspoon of raw ginger and add some honey for taste if you must. It works a treat. And if you really struggle at night, one thing I’ve found helps and obviously only for adults – a quick small tot of whisky has often really helped warm my throat and help me get off to sleep.

What are more natural cough medicines or remedies?

Check the labels before buying and I strongly advise you to find more natural solutions.

A Vogel Bronchoforce – herbal medicine. Ingredients: 376mg of tincture from fresh ivy herb (Hedera helix L.), 329mg of tincture from fresh aerial parts of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), 234 mg of tincture from liquorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.), Bronchoforce also contains Star Anise oil and Eucalyptus oil.Echinacea – from a good quality reputable source will help boost your immune system. You can also get vitamin C and echinacea herbal teas to soothe the throat.Vitamin C – Get plenty of vitamin C rich fruit and veggies into your dietSpoonful of honey – will work just as well as any spoonful of cough syrupSteam bath – with eucalyptus oil. Hold your head over a steaming bowl of hot water for a instant relief of phlegm and congestion.Saline throat sprays – can also work really well to clean out the nasal area and reduce phlehgm.Xylitol sprays – also proven to help remove phlegm.Hot lemon, honey and ginger tea – It’s been my go to for years. Works better than any expensive cough syrup.

So you don’t need to buy expensive sugar filled cough syrups and throat sweets. Cough sweets can also have a high sugar based and I’m on the look out for a more natural solution. However for something with fewer ingredients, check out Jackemans peppermint soothing menthol lozenges – just sugar, glucose syrup, menthol crystals and peppermint oil. Still a lot of sugar, but better than some of the ones on the market.

What do you take when you have a nasty cough?

I’d love to hear your own cough and cold remedies. What do you take? What works best for you?

You may also be interested in reading:‘No more allergies and asthma’ book reviewAnaphylaxis – The Essential Guide by Ruth Holroyd20 life saving anaphylaxis tips

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.

The post Your cough medicine could cause anaphylaxis first appeared on What Allergy Blog.

What if you couldn’t have your Ventolin inhaler?

If you have asthma you may well have been prescribed a Ventolin blue reliever inhaler to help reduce symptoms of asthma attacks. I’ve certainly been using one for years, since childhood. Look out for this old faithful drug to be replaced soon, as Ventolin seems to be on the way out as an asthma medication.

Your GP rejected your medication request!

A while ago the asthma nurse told me they were bad for your lungs and caused damage over prolonged use. This sounded like just a nonsense to me because she didn’t explain how or why and also didn’t recall my old Ventolin inhalers or prescribe a safer drug. Could this be the reason I can no longer get Ventolin for my asthma?

Because this month, when I requested a replacement for my expired Ventolin reliever inhaler I was given a new inhaler with no explanation or discussion… just this notification that I only found when I logged into my Patient Access portal.

Salamol (on the left) replaces Ventolin (on the right) No respect for my fears about steroids

It felt like she was using this ‘it damages your lungs’ argument to get me using a preventative inhaler again, despite my crippling fears of steroids now, with good reason. I’m now just over 4 years topical steroid free and really don’t feel suppressing things is the way forward. If steroids damaged my skin so much what could they be doing to my lungs? Check out the TSW section for more details.

Does Ventolin blue inhaler damage your lungs?

I’m currently trying to find out of this is true. So far I’ve only found vague mentions of this in forums but no firm evidence or advice thus far. What should you do if you are using a ventolin blue inhaler? I’d say for the time being don’t panic! Keep taking your medication as prescribed. Check out the Fighting for Breathe / Asthma and Lung UK forum – Is Ventolin being stopped?

I asked my GP why my prescription had changed

When I logged into my patient access portal there was a notice saying my request for Ventolin had been rejected. So I asked why this was and why I’d been given Salamol instead and the told me this:

We have been directed by NHS England to change all people who use Ventolin Evohaler to Salamol Inhaler, as the latter has a significantly reduced carbon footprint compared to Ventolin. This policy is in line with the NHS Greener Agenda (https://www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs/)

Raj Bhamra (Clinical Pharmacist)

This link doesn’t really explain things to me, it’s just a link to a page about how the NHS wants to be greener. Explain to me how my CFC Ventolin is worse for the environment for my CFC free Salamol, which doesn’t work. I needed to find out what was happening and whether there might be safer and more palatable alternatives that could request.

Changing medication should be a shared decision

No medication should be changed without discussion with the patient. To find that my prescription had been declined and replaced with a new drug with no consultation or explanation was not great, particularly as when I came to use, it didn’t even work that well.

It’s taken me hours of internet research to get to the bottom of why this change is required but I’m still confused about why the replacement appears so similar and is also ineffective and unpleasant to use.

Salamol is apparently better for the environment

The reason given above, that the NHS is moving to greener alternatives is all well and good, but from my research, it would appear that ‘mister’ and ‘powder’ inhalers are far better than inhalers that use a propellant, even one that is CFC free, as Ventolin has been for years.

The Green Inhaler report (linked below) explains that, “Salamol pMDI inhaler although a pMDI contains half as much propellant as Ventolin pMDI inhaler for equivalent dosage.” So this is the reason for the medication swap.

This is what I think of my new Salamol inhaler for asthma Salamol isn’t even working for my asthma

This new drug may be better for the environment, however I’ve not had a great experience. It tastes like glue and doesn’t seem to even work when I use it and needs cleaning after use. If we need safer drugs for the planet we also need to find drugs that work. What if you forget to clean your inhaler at home each week, something that is required with the Salamol inhaler as it gets easily and quickly blocked. You could easily be left with no relief during an asthma attack.

I’ve only had to use this new inhaler once and thankfully I had an old Ventolin with me because I don’t think Salamol helped. I think it might even have felt worse. I took two puffs and still felt wheezy. Grabbed the old one (thank goodness) and received instant relief.

I’ve read other comments on the Health Unlocked forum, it seems I’m not alone in my worries about this new drug. Check out Salamol doesn’t work for me.

What is the difference between Ventolin and Salamol?

According to my GP, They are the same drug, just with a different propellant and I think less propellant. This may explain why it feels like it’s not working, if less propellant is used perhaps we need to use more puffs to get to the same result and relief?

Thanks to Rachel on Instagram, I found this great source: What is the difference between Ventolin and Salamol.

Apparently this only difference is the cost, according to this article. ‘Ventolin and Salbutamol inhalers contain Salbutamol, which is the same medication. Both are beta-2 selective short-acting bronchodilators that relax the smooth muscles in the airways. The only difference between Ventolin and Salbutamol is their cost.  While the former is branded as Ventolin Evohaler resulting in a higher cost, the latter is a more generic name for the asthma inhaler.’

Salamol needs more doses to be effective

It would seem that using Salamol needs different technique, and more puffs to get the same effect. So surely if patients are being swapped to a new drug that works differently they need to be given this vital information. Everyone I’ve spoken to says they need to use way more Salamol to find any relief and many say it makes them worse.

The cost difference between Ventolin and SalamolCost difference between Ventolin and Salamol

This is infuriating… that this swap is purely cost related. Salamol is 38% cheaper than Ventolin, which could net the NHS big savings. Yet my GP told me it was due to environmental concerns. So what is the real reason? And why do these inhalers, which should work the same, seem so different in performance.

This table above needs a final line – effectiveness = Salamol – AWFUL!

The Green inhaler Guide – safer asthma inhaler alternatives

So what are the alternatives to inhalers that use propellants? I found the East Sussex Green Inhaler Guide and finally we have some answers.

The most commonly prescribed inhaler in the UK, Ventolin Evohaler has a carbon footprint equivalent to 28kg of CO2 (per whole inhaler). That is the same carbon footprint as the greenhouse gas emissions of driving 175miles from London to Sheffield in a small car. Dry powder inhalers on the other hand typically have a carbon footprint of less than 1kg.

Green inhaler guide – east sussex CCG

These stats are staggering! How can these tiny inhalers have such an incredible effect on our environment, and what are they doing to the human body if the greenhouse gas emissions are so high? You’re literally breathing in this stuff, and for years!

Safer inhaler alternatives for asthmaTablet salbutamolPowdered salbutamolMister inhalers

And more… For a detailed explanation of all the asthma medication alternatives, their cost and co2 emissions check out the Green Asthma Inhaler report above. I’ve requested an appointment at my local surgery to discuss alternatives and will keep you all posted!

What inhaler do you use and how do you feel about this?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. What inhaler are you using. Were you consulted about the medication change? Let’s have a heated debate…

You might also be intersted in reading:10 things you asthma nurse won’t tell youNatural treatments for allergic asthmaThe dangers of oral corticosteroid inhalersThe post What if you couldn’t have your Ventolin inhaler? first appeared on What Allergy Blog.

Ventolin inhaler rejected for eco reasons!

If you have asthma you may well have been prescribed a Ventolin blue reliever inhaler to help reduce symptoms of asthma attacks. I’ve certainly been using one for years, since childhood. Look out for this old faithful drug to be replaced soon, as Ventolin seems to be on the way out as an asthma medication.

Your GP rejected your medication request!

A while ago the asthma nurse told me they were bad for your lungs and caused damage over prolonged use. This sounded like just a nonsense to me because she didn’t explain how or why and also didn’t recall my old Ventolin inhalers or prescribe a safer drug. Could this be the reason I can no longer get Ventolin for my asthma?

Because this month, when I requested a replacement for my expired Ventolin reliever inhaler I was given a new inhaler with no explanation or discussion… just this notification that I only found when I logged into my Patient Access portal.

Salamol (on the left) replaces Ventolin (on the right) No respect for my fears about steroids

It felt like she was using this ‘it damages your lungs’ argument to get me using a preventative inhaler again, despite my crippling fears of steroids now, with good reason. I’m now just over 4 years topical steroid free and really don’t feel suppressing things is the way forward. If steroids damaged my skin so much what could they be doing to my lungs? Check out the TSW section for more details.

Does Ventolin blue inhaler damage your lungs?

I’m currently trying to find out of this is true. So far I’ve only found vague mentions of this in forums but no firm evidence or advice thus far. What should you do if you are using a ventolin blue inhaler? I’d say for the time being don’t panic! Keep taking your medication as prescribed. Check out the Fighting for Breathe / Asthma and Lung UK forum – Is Ventolin being stopped?

I asked my GP why my prescription had changed

When I logged into my patient access portal there was a notice saying my request for Ventolin had been rejected. So I asked why this was and why I’d been given Salamol instead and the told me this:

We have been directed by NHS England to change all people who use Ventolin Evohaler to Salamol Inhaler, as the latter has a significantly reduced carbon footprint compared to Ventolin. This policy is in line with the NHS Greener Agenda (https://www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs/)

Raj Bhamra (Clinical Pharmacist)

This link doesn’t really explain things to me, it’s just a link to a page about how the NHS wants to be greener. Explain to me how my CFC Ventolin is worse for the environment for my CFC free Salamol, which doesn’t work. I needed to find out what was happening and whether there might be safer and more palatable alternatives that could request.

Changing medication should be a shared decision

No medication should be changed without discussion with the patient. To find that my prescription had been declined and replaced with a new drug with no consultation or explanation was not great, particularly as when I came to use, it didn’t even work that well.

It’s taken me hours of internet research to get to the bottom of why this change is required but I’m still confused about why the replacement appears so similar and is also ineffective and unpleasant to use.

Salamol is apparently better for the environment

The reason given above, that the NHS is moving to greener alternatives is all well and good, but from my research, it would appear that ‘mister’ and ‘powder’ inhalers are far better than inhalers that use a propellant, even one that is CFC free, as Ventolin has been for years.

The Green Inhaler report (linked below) explains that, “Salamol pMDI inhaler although a pMDI contains half as much propellant as Ventolin pMDI inhaler for equivalent dosage.” So this is the reason for the medication swap.

This is what I think of my new Salamol inhaler for asthma Salamol isn’t even working for my asthma

This new drug may be better for the environment, however I’ve not had a great experience. It tastes like glue and doesn’t seem to even work when I use it and needs cleaning after use. If we need safer drugs for the planet we also need to find drugs that work. What if you forget to clean your inhaler at home each week, something that is required with the Salamol inhaler as it gets easily and quickly blocked. You could easily be left with no relief during an asthma attack.

I’ve only had to use this new inhaler once and thankfully I had an old Ventolin with me because I don’t think Salamol helped. I think it might even have felt worse. I took two puffs and still felt wheezy. Grabbed the old one (thank goodness) and received instant relief.

I’ve read other comments on the Health Unlocked forum, it seems I’m not alone in my worries about this new drug. Check out Salamol doesn’t work for me.

The Green inhaler Guide – safer asthma inhaler alternatives

So what are the alternatives to inhalers that use propellants? I found the East Sussex Green Inhaler Guide and finally we have some answers.

The most commonly prescribed inhaler in the UK, Ventolin Evohaler has a carbon footprint equivalent to 28kg of CO2 (per whole inhaler). That is the same carbon footprint as the greenhouse gas emissions of driving 175miles from London to Sheffield in a small car. Dry powder inhalers on the other hand typically have a carbon footprint of less than 1kg.

Green inhaler guide – east sussex CCG

These stats are staggering! How can these tiny inhalers have such an incredible effect on our environment, and what are they doing to the human body if the greenhouse gas emissions are so high? You’re literally breathing in this stuff, and for years!

Safer inhaler alternatives for asthmaTablet salbutamolPowdered salbutamolMister inhalersSerevent accuhalerAtimos Modulite

And more! For a detailed explanation of all the asthma medication alternatives, their cost and co2 emissions check out the Green Asthma Inhaler report above. I’ve requested an appointment at my local surgery to discuss alternatives and will keep you all posted!

What inhaler do you use and how do you feel about this?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. What inhaler are you using. Were you consulted about the medication change? Let’s have a heated debate…

You might also be intersted in reading:10 things you asthma nurse won’t tell youNatural treatments for allergic asthmaThe dangers of oral corticosteroid inhalersThe post Ventolin inhaler rejected for eco reasons! first appeared on What Allergy Blog.

Why haven’t you read my book yet?

Tomorrow is world book so what better way to celebrate the power of words, writing and reading to soothe the skin. Writing my poetry book, The Shape of Skin was a labour of great therapy and a growing love for my own skin.

If you love reading, check out this wonderful blog, reviewing three eczema books, Reading to soothe skin from the Eczema Clothing company. They’ve looked at books for ages, from kids to adults so there is something for everyone:

The Itchy-saurus, by Rosie Wellesley (for the under 5s)The Shape of Skin, by Ruth Holroyd (poetry collection) Iron Skin, by Brendan John Lee – a memoir of skin healing and a very moving readWhere can I buy your books Ruth?

If you’re interested in buying a copy of my books; Anaphylaxis – The Essential guide and The Shape of skin, both are available on Amazon. Or contact me for your very own signed copy! You can find out more about both books here: My books!

Please pop me a review

If you have read either of my books please take a few moments to give it a review on either Goodreads or Amazon. It helps others find books that could help them live with allergies or eczema better and would really make my day. I know you are all ready busy so I really do appreciate every review.

Thanks to all of you for your continued support. Thanks for reading this blog and for buying my books and all the wonderful feedback.

Why haven’t you read my book yet?

I mean really, if you haven’t read it yet, you need to give it a try. I’m not very good and blowing my own trumpet but I am so proud of this poetry book (And my first book, Anaphylaxis) and still find it surreal that I’m an actual real life author with real life books on Amazon. It’s incredible as it was always a dream of mine since a child. It is not easy writing a book, but it’s been such a huge help for me, almost like free therapy, and I’ve grown so much as a person as a result.

Damn it, my books a pretty good if the incredible 5 star ratings and reviews are anything to go by.

Instead of urging you to leave a comment below, this blog I’m going to ask you to leave a review instead because this would help me so much! Happy reading my lovely followers. What are you reading this World Book Day? (Ok you can leave a comment too)

You may also be interesting in reading:7 books to read for eczema and topical steroid withdrawal peopleA dermatologists review of The Shape of Skin20 resolutions for people with eczema skinThe post Why haven’t you read my book yet? first appeared on What Allergy Blog.