According to research by Allergy UK, 40% of children in the UK have been diagnosed with an allergy. Children with allergies and their parents often experience heightened levels of anxiety due to the constant vigilance required to avoid potential triggers. Recognising these unique challenges early on is essential to reduce both the risks and the fears faced by children and their caregivers. For Davina Steel, knowledge is at the heart of this approach.

To help children with allergies grow up confident, curious and empowered with knowledge, former research scientist Steel has written the much-needed book Have You Ever Seen a Bee With Hives?. Designed for children aged 8+, this engaging read is a fun and informative way to give young readers the tools to confidently make safe decisions in the absence of a knowledgeable adult.

Steel’s combination of scientific expertise and the personal impact of allergies fuels her passion for passing this knowledge on to young people. Drawing from her impressive career as a research scientist and experience explaining science for children’s magazines and websites, as well as her personal experiences developing severe gluten intolerance following cancer treatment, Have You Ever Seen a Bee with Hives? helps children rethink their allergies into their superpower.

Have You Ever Seen a Bee with Hives? is split into five parts – Food Factory, Eat Your Body Happy, Allergies and Ailments, Swapping Foods and Telling Others – designed to help children learn how to FEAST safely. To further simplify complicated allergy statistics, terminology and taboo topics, Steel incorporates humorous illustrations with easily digestible language tailored for 8-year-olds and beyond.

Woven throughout Have You Ever Seen a Bee with Hives? are simple methods developed by health specialists, such as the 4R method to help heal a leaky gut. The guide also sensitively helps children with suspected food allergies understand the differences between allergies, sensitivities and intolerances. Steel carefully explains what these terms mean and the symptoms the body might receive when reacting to food. By using this guide, children can better identify and understand their body’s reactions, helping them feel more in control and confident in managing their allergies. Additionally, the book addresses the sensitive issue of bullying, offering helpful acronyms and guidance to navigate situations where allergies might make a child feel isolated.

Not only does the book educate readers about understanding allergies, but it also highlights the broader impact of these issues on individual health and the environment. Through exclusive extras, Have You Ever Seen a Bee with Hives? shares additional guidance on food packaging, nutritional information and cross-contamination. Speaking in accessible language, Steel teaches children how to interpret labels, and how to play detective when ordering food – both of which are vital components in empowering youngsters to explore the world with their friends, without being held back by allergy fears.

Have You Ever Seen a Bee with Hives? demystifies allergies and sensitivities for young readers, providing practical tools to make informed decisions independently. Presenting complex information accessibly, the book is an empowering call to action for children, parents, carers, and clinicians – anyone who is looking to close the gap in awareness surrounding food allergies and their impact on daily life.

Have You Ever Seen a Bee with Hives? is available to buy on Amazon and in all good bookshops. 

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Millions of people suffer from seasonal allergies, but the good news is, there are ways to manage symptoms and enjoy the outdoors again. With a few effective strategies, you can reduce your allergy symptoms and feel more comfortable throughout the allergy season.

1. Keep Track of Pollen Levels

The first step in managing seasonal allergies is staying informed. Pollen levels can vary depending on the time of year and local weather conditions. High pollen counts can make allergy symptoms worse, so checking pollen forecasts is essential. Many weather apps or websites offer pollen tracking, so make it a habit to check daily. 

On days when pollen levels are high, it’s a good idea to stay indoors as much as possible, especially during early mornings or late afternoons when pollen counts tend to peak. Taking these simple steps can help you plan your day and avoid the worst of the allergens.

2. Stay Indoors During Peak Allergy Hours

As mentioned, pollen levels tend to be at their highest in the early morning hours and late afternoon. If you’re sensitive to allergens, it’s best to limit outdoor activities during these times. You can plan outdoor excursions later in the evening when pollen counts are lower.

If you do have to go outside, wearing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat can help keep pollen away from your eyes and hair. By being mindful of pollen peaks, you can significantly reduce exposure and avoid triggering allergy symptoms.

3. Rinse Off After Being Outdoors

After spending time outdoors, it’s important to remove any pollen or allergens you might have picked up during the day. Taking a shower and washing your hair before bed will help you avoid bringing pollen into your home, which can continue to trigger symptoms.

Changing clothes as soon as you get inside can also help. By minimizing the amount of pollen in your environment, you’ll reduce exposure while you sleep, leading to a more restful night. These simple hygiene practices can go a long way in keeping your home allergen-free.

4. Consider Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, is a treatment option that can help reduce sensitivity to allergens over time. Immunotherapy involves receiving regular injections of small amounts of allergens to gradually build up your immunity. This treatment is typically administered over several months or years. 

Immunotherapy can be particularly effective for those with severe allergies who do not respond well to medications. For more tailored guidance on immunotherapy, it’s recommended to consult an allergist or specialist in otolaryngology, as they can assess your condition and provide a personalized treatment plan. This form of treatment offers a longer-term solution and may reduce the need for daily medications.

5. Use High-Efficiency Air Filters

Indoor allergens can make your symptoms worse, so improving the air quality in your home is a key strategy. Installing high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in your home’s HVAC system will trap pollen, dust, and other particles, improving your indoor air quality.

Additionally, consider using a HEPA air purifier in your bedroom or living areas to help filter out airborne allergens. By keeping your home environment clean and allergen-free, you can reduce the need for allergy medications. This also creates a more comfortable indoor environment, especially during high pollen seasons.

6. Regularly Clean Your Home

Dust, mold, and pet dander are common indoor allergens that can worsen seasonal allergy symptoms. Regularly cleaning your home will help eliminate these triggers. Be sure to dust surfaces with a damp cloth to avoid stirring up particles in the air.

Vacuum carpets and rugs with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter, and wash bedding, curtains, and other fabrics frequently. Keeping your home clean will reduce the amount of allergens you’re exposed to, making it easier to breathe freely indoors. Routine cleaning ensures that allergens don’t accumulate and worsen your symptoms over time.

7. Over-the-Counter Allergy Medications

For many people, over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines, decongestants, or nasal sprays can provide relief from seasonal allergies. Antihistamines work by blocking the chemicals in your body that cause allergic reactions. Decongestants can help relieve nasal congestion, while nasal sprays can reduce inflammation and clear up sinus pressure.

It’s important to consult your doctor or pharmacist to determine which medication is right for your specific symptoms and health profile. For long-term use, nasal steroids may also be recommended to manage inflammation. These medications can provide quick relief, especially when symptoms become difficult to manage.

8. Strengthen Your Immune System

A strong immune system can help reduce the severity of allergy symptoms. Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can provide your body with the nutrients it needs to support immune function. Probiotic-rich foods, such as yogurt or fermented vegetables, may also help maintain gut health, which plays a key role in regulating immune responses.

Regular physical activity, staying hydrated, and managing stress also contribute to overall immune health, which may help reduce allergic reactions during peak allergy season. By keeping your immune system strong, you may be better equipped to handle allergens when they are most prevalent.

Final Thoughts

Taking charge of your seasonal allergies is empowering, and every step you take brings you closer to a more enjoyable allergy season. Stay persistent in your efforts, and don’t be afraid to seek help when needed. In the end, your health and happiness are in your hands, and a little care goes a long way. Make it a habit to prioritize your well-being—you’ll thank yourself later.

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Ingredients and prices of festive favourites such as mince pies, pigs in blankets, Baileys, Quality Street, stuffing, gravy, and Christmas Pudding were analysed. All the items contained either egg, soy, dairy, wheat, or nuts rendering them off limits for the 2 million living with food allergies in the UK.  Homes with someone with a food allergy usually avoid having any foods with the allergen even in the house, so this means that up to 4.8 million people could be passing on the pigs in blankets and Quality Street this Christmas.

Despite the growth in free-from alternatives to enable people with food allergies to enjoy these foods, the higher price point makes it prohibitive for many families to do so, especially against a backdrop of the rising cost of living. Investigations by Allergy UK reveals an ‘allergy penalty’ paid by those who need to enjoy free-from foods this Christmas.  For example, a free-from mince pie (four pack) costs £1.75 or 43p a pie compared to £1.09 or 18p for a standard six pack of mince pies, representing a 138% price increase per pie.  When calculated across all nine items featured in the Christmas treat selection, this is equivalent to an average uplift of 157%⁴. 

A poll of those living with food allergies indicates that 44% of adults with food allergies always need to spend a lot of time reading food labels when shopping for food6. This is because current legislation on food labelling means that manufacturers can list the potential inclusion of an allergen on its label, even if the ingredient has not been used in the manufacture of the food. As well as making a shopping trip more time consuming, the ‘may contain’ labelling practice significantly limits the selection of foods available for those living with certain food allergies.

Carla Jones, CEO of Allergy UK, explains, “It is a sad reality for many households with food allergies, that there simply is a financial – and a convenience – penalty which must be paid, simply to be able to access foods which are safe to eat. This year it will be felt even more keenly with the cost-of-living crisis. For these families and individuals, there is not a lower price point alternative for free-from foods, and current labelling practices significantly reduce the choices available to these people even more. It is a case of pay up or miss out on the favourite festive treats this year. Therefore, we are calling for labelling practices to be revised, especially with the cost-of-living crisis making free-from foods increasingly prohibitive.”

Statistics indicate that the prevalence of food allergies in the UK is on the rise, and recent research from a public survey by Allergy UK estimates that 8% of people in the UK are living with a food allergy⁷. Food abounds at Christmas, and for those living with a food allergy, the festive season brings heightened anxiety and exclusion. A survey conducted by Allergy UK in 2021 reveals that: 

• 61% of children with food allergies have avoided social situations because of their allergy.
• 53% of children with food allergies feel isolated due to how much their allergies affect their life. 
• 41% of parents would be anxious about their child with food allergies having an allergic reaction at a social event.

Jones continues, “With our most recent research indicating that there are up to 41 million people in the UK who are living with allergic disease, it is the case that an allergy-free life is now the exception, not the rule.

This year Allergy UK launched a new campaign, ‘It’s Time to Take Allergy Seriously’ to bring to life its mission for no one to die from allergy.  The campaign’s themes confront the realities of living with allergic conditions and calls for improved healthcare provision, better awareness in service industries and improved care standards in education environments for adults and children whose lives have been impacted by allergy.

For more information visit www.allergyuk.org

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For years Company Director David Brown struggled with lethargy, forgetfulness, anxiety and depression until he discovered he has an intolerance to egg white and egg yolk.

Since eliminating them from his diet, his symptoms have disappeared and says he feels ‘reborn’

Hard work and a determination to expand his transport company is paying off for David Brown. Since starting out in 2010 with him and a van moving large, heavy and fragile items between Britain and France, the business has been steadily growing and he’s added more drivers and vans to his fleet, which has given him the freedom to be based in his UK office.

David, 39, who lives in Handforth, Wilmslow, admits that the commitment this requires has taken up all his time and energy, so his personal life has had to take a back seat. “I’ve never been married and don’t have children, but I met someone last month, and while it is very early days, things are going very well.”

Happy, energised and full of enthusiasm for the future, it’s hard to believe that things were looking very different for David a few months ago. Working long hours was taking its toll on his health; he felt constantly tired and lethargic and complained of a ‘brain fog’ that made it difficult to focus and think clearly, which was jeopardising his expansion plans. David recalls, “I noticed my fatigue, irritability, confusion, lack of focus and motivation becoming a problem around the same time I employed my first driver in March 2014. Looking back, this must have been a coincidence, but I went from driving ten to 12 hours a day without any problems, to becoming very tired and unmotivated since becoming office based and spending my days staring at a computer screen. This also had an impact on relationships as I was always angry and irritable. On top of this, I often felt anxious and depressed.”

David tried to eat healthily and exercise regularly to banish his lethargy and tiredness – a struggle after his working day. During workouts at the gym, lifting weights brought on dizziness, even if it wasn’t a particularly strenuous workout. “I visited the doctors on several occasions and my blood was tested for vitamin and mineral deficiencies, as well as diabetes, and I also had my eyes tested to see if that was the cause of my fatigue as I was staring at a computer screen all day. A minor issue was found and since then I’ve worn reading glasses, but unfortunately this made no difference.”

Dave cannot pinpoint when his symptoms began – he recalls suffering bouts of mild depression since the age of 18, but simply ignored it, even telling himself to ‘get over it’. Then in 2004, he suffered a serious head injury, the result of an unprovoked assault while walking home after a night out. This attack resulted in short-term memory and hearing problems. “Luckily, I recovered and got on with my life. There was an increase in my anxiety after this event, but I figured it was to be expected after what I’d experienced, so I dismissed it. I was treating the anxiety and depression as one issue and separate from any other problems, such as the fatigue and brain fog.”

He found the doctors sympathetic and keen to help, but now concludes that he wasn’t explaining his symptoms properly. “Even when I searched the internet for answers, I was always using the words ‘fatigued’ and ‘lethargic’.”

Having tried everything he could think of to help the mental health issues, including hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy, he heard about YorkTest food intolerance testing through his mother who had had a positive experience. The process, which involves sending a finger prick blood sample to the company’s laboratory to test reactions to up to 158 foods, revealed that he was intolerant to egg white and egg yolk, with a borderline reaction to millet. After receiving his results, he also booked a consultation with their Nutritional Therapist, who advised him on how to eliminate trigger foods from his diet, seek healthy alternatives and stick to his new regime. However, David admits it was difficult.

“Beginning an egg-free diet wasn’t easy as I had no idea just how many foods contain it! My previous attempt to eat well had consisted of eating lots of eggs, so unbeknown to me, I was sabotaging my efforts. When I started to explain my symptoms to the nutritionist, she used the phrase ‘brain fog’ which immediately resonated with me. I thought, yes, that’s exactly what it is, like my brain is immersed in fog.” He looked it up later and it was as if the symptoms were written for him. “It was a huge relief to have a diagnosis and to realise I wasn’t alone and there were ways to tackle it.”

Despite his new-found awareness of his issues, David admits that at first he didn’t commit wholeheartedly to an elimination diet, although he stopped eating eggs and mayonnaise. But as he carried out more research, became more knowledgeable and discovered handy mobile apps to help him avoid his trigger ingredients, he resolved to have the willpower to stick to it. “Funnily enough, I haven’t found it as hard as I thought to make the changes. Shopping and preparing meals isn’t too tough, but I am more concerned about convenience than taste and variety! I am sure that with a little more imagination, my diet could be more varied, but I live alone and rarely have the urge to cook from scratch just for myself and I am fine with being a bit ‘boring’. I tend to have porridge for breakfast, sandwiches with egg-free salad cream for lunch and tea is chicken breast with steamed vegetables or steak and chips, or sometimes a carefully selected microwave meal. I keep an eye out for millet when reading ingredients, but haven’t found it in the things I buy – I avoid seeded bread just in case though.”

It didn’t take long before David noticed the difference in his symptoms. “After about ten days of being 100 per cent egg free, not only was the brain fog lifting, but my anxiety and depression also seemed to fade. This was a revelation for me, as I never in a million years expected such a complete and total change in my health. I honestly felt reborn, like my brain had been taken out, thoroughly cleaned and serviced, then popped back in!

“I am sharper, more motivated, focused and can think so clearly. I no longer get flustered or confused when things are getting stressful and most unexpected of all, my anxiety has gone. I can watch the news without becoming convinced that it’s the end of the world as we know it, I can be in a room full of people and not feel uncomfortable and finally enjoy deep conversations and debates with friends or family without becoming tongue-tied and flustered. Most importantly of all, I’m happy. All this from not eating eggs – I never would have believed it unless I’d experienced it. It is hard to put into words – I am a different person and the brain fog, anxiety and depression have now disappeared. I feel reborn and finally have my life back.”

YorkTest advise that you consult with your GP first if you are experiencing the types of symptoms mentioned in this testimonial.

About YorkTest

YorkTest Laboratories have over 35 years of excellence in laboratory diagnostic testing, and are Europe’s leading provider of food and drink specific IgG antibody testing programmes.
The expert team at YorkTest are passionate about offering health screening services that can support wellbeing, underpinned by the principle that each person’s digestive sensitivities are unique. Endorsed by medical professionals, such as GP Dr Hilary Jones and elite sports players, YorkTest use a scientific method to help pinpoint food triggers that may be affecting an individual’s health and lifestyle.

Beginning with the FirstStep Test and using a simple finger-prick blood sample taken at home, YorkTest’s qualified scientists measure food-specific IgG antibody reactions from its accredited UK laboratory. If IgG reactions are found, then clients can choose from a range of full programme tests which include colour coded results, alongside a 12-week food diary and guidebook, including help and advice about nutrition and optimising your diet.

For those selecting one of the full testing programmes, expert aftercare is provided by 1BANT-registered Nutritional Therapists who provide guidance on an individual’s ‘food fingerprint’ – advising on nutritional optimisation and how to safely remove ingredients, whilst ensuring a healthy balanced diet.

Three out of four people who undertook one of the full testing programmes, and tested positive for IgG reactions, reported an improvement in wellbeing after embarking upon their elimination diet, and for 68% this was within three weeks*.

Dr Gill Hart, Scientific Director at YorkTest, is a leading UK Biochemist and a media-friendly expert on food intolerance. She is a credible and respected authority on a range of related issues including use of diagnostic testing, biochemistry of satiety, appetite and weight loss, IBS and digestive health, nutrition and mental health, fertility, diabetes testing, inflammatory markers and vitamin D.

[1] British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy
*Hardman and Hart, Nutrition and Food Science (2007)

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Pet allergies are an allergic reaction to tiny particles shed by your pet which become airborne (known as ‘dander’). Cat owners generally get more grief than dog owners as cats groom more often and their dander is smaller, becoming airborne more easily and for longer. And if you get a pet such as a cat, for the first time as an adult, this can really spell trouble. This is because people who have had a cat in childhood have a much smaller risk of becoming sensitised to it than those who are new cat owners.

Unless you are severely allergic to pets, there are many ways to avoid the allergens which don’t involve re-homing your cat, dog, rabbit, hamster or other furry pets. Airborne allergens expert Max Wiseberg offers some easy to implement tips.

• Keep pets off sofas and beds, and out of the bedroom altogether if possible, to reduce exposure.
• Wash your dog or cat’s bedding and basket regularly.
• Wash and groom pets regularly too; according to leading UK allergy charity, Allergy UK, bathing a cat once or twice a week can reduce cat allergens in the home by 90%.
• Dust surfaces with a damp cloth, and vacuum regularly, to minimise the amount of allergens in the house.
• Keep cuddly toys and blankets in a cupboard to prevent the build up of pet dander on them. In addition, using an allergen barrier balm such as HayMax can reduce the amount of allergen entering the body through the nose.

We Tested HayMax Balm against Pet allergies

HayMax is an organic, drug-free allergen barrier balm that has been proven in independent studies to trap dust allergens in the air before they enter the body. As long as this is enough to keep the sufferer below their sensitivity level, the symptoms won’t be triggered. Applying the balm around the nostrils or around the bones of the eyes provides a highly effective, invisible barrier to pet and other airborne allergens. It is suitable for children and pregnant, as well as breast-feeding, mums.

[quote]“We now have three cats and although my husband reacts to them, over time he usually builds up immunity to them. The introduction of the new kitten proved challenging so he tried the balm and he felt a difference to his breathing. He would need to use a lot of balm so we need to use all the other tips to reduce allergens in our home as well as using the balm. However when visiting another house with cats or dogs it can flair up again so it’s great to have a handy pot of balm to reduce the allergens in another home rather than suffering or having to take an antihistamin.”[/quote]

HayMax organic drug-free allergen barrier balms retail at £6.99 per pot and are available from Holland & Barrett; Booths supermarkets; selected Morrisons, Waitrose and Boots; independent chemists, pharmacists and health stores; on 01525 406600 and from haymax.biz.

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[quote]Max Wiseberg, MD of HayMax, comments, “It is great to have industry recognition for the brand. We have received a number of consumer voted awards recently – so we know that consumers love us. The Organic and Natural Business Awards are voted for by retailers, so it’s great that store owners continue to value our products too.”[/quote]

HayMax pollen barrier balms were invented by Max himself, a chronic hayfever sufferer since childhood. After years of trying all sorts of hayfever treatments without success, Max decided to develop a product of his own, and created a balm that is now famously known as HayMax.

Why do we get hayfever?
Hayfever is a result of our immune system’s overreaction to pollen. Too much pollen stimulates the body’s mast cells, which then break or degranulate, releasing mediators that include histamines. These mediators can cause many symptoms including the unpleasant itching, red eyes, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, and itchy roof of the mouth and ears associated with hayfever.

HayMax pollen barrier balms
Available in 4 varieties – Pure, Aloe Vera, Lavender and Frankincense – each one is an equally effective pollen and airborne allergen blocker. HayMax is proven in trials by NPARU* to trap dust and pet allergens and over 1/3 of pollen grains before they enter the body [1]. It works by keeping the sufferer below their sensitivity level – the amount of allergen the body can tolerate before an allergic reaction is triggered – for longer. Less pollen, less sneezing and itchy eyes.

HayMax pollen barrier balms are 100% drug-free and 100% organic, certified by the Soil Association. So they are suitable for pregnant and breast-feeding women and are ideal for children and teenagers. They are simple to use; just dab a small amount around the nostrils morning and evening, and when you feel you allergy symptoms starting, to form an invisible barrier to pollen and dust and pet allergens.

HayMax pollen barrier balms retail at £6.99 per pot and are available from Asda, Holland & Barrett, selected Morrisons, Waitrose and Boots, independent chemists, pharmacists and health stores, on 01525 406600 and from haymax.biz.

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