All Posts

A child eczema allergy assessment helps identify triggers, guide testing and build a clear treatment plan for flares, food allergy and daily care.

When should your child see a paediatric food allergy specialist? Learn the signs, tests, diagnosis process and how expert care supports families.

This week during National Allergy Awareness week, the national allergy strategy has been launched by the NASG. This has representation from BSACI, Allergy UK, Anaphylaxis UK and Natasha Allergy Research Foundation (NARF). This is a wonderful document and is the first coordinated UK-wide framework for improving allergy prevention, diagnosis, management and patient safety. For further information: https://www.calameo.com/read/007980318fc08083c061b?authid=cq1m8JD4CeoH

If you suffer from spring time hay fever, then its very likely you are birch pollen allergic. In some older children and adults, you may experience predominatly mild symptoms (itchy mouth/throat, itchy tongue, mild lip swelling, lump in the throat) after eating fresh food such as apples, cherries, carrots or stone fruits. However, if they are cooked or heated you have no symptoms and can tolerate it. The proteins in these foods are very similar to birch pollen and therefore t

If you are keen to follow pollen reports here are some links: https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/pollen-forecast#?date=2026-03-19 https://www.worcester.ac.uk/about/academic-schools/school-of-science-and-the-environment/science-and-the-environment-research/national-pollen-and-aerobiology-research-unit/pollen-forecast.aspx Useful app https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/my-pollen-forecast-allergies/id1244428929 Start treatment now. Use a non sedating

As we enter March, the tree pollen hay fever season begins and are the main cause of symptoms. In the UK it is birch pollen. The most common hay fever symptoms are runny, itchy and blocked nose, but also itchy, red eyes. Things you can do to help: When you come inside in the evening have a shower to wash off the pollen and change your clothes. Close your windows as pollen levels are greatest at dusk & dawn. Try avoid leaving washing outside to dry (they will collect pollen)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp811lgp106o Super exciting news about changes taking place in schools to help families and children with allergies in schools. The campaign asks for every school to have: Spare allergy pens Allergy trained staff School allergy policy https://www.gov.uk/government/news/stronger-protections-for-children-with-allergies-in-school Read these articles and respond to the consultation and ask your GP to support funding this in schools

If you have severe hay fever and continue to have symptoms despite regular non-sedating antihistamines and regular intranasal steroids, then now is the time to consider starting sublingual Immmunotherapy (SLIT). This has the ability to significantly improve your symptoms as well as having a disease modifying effect. This means that after the 3 years of treatment you will continue to get benefit from this medication on your hay fever symptoms. Please get in touch as soon as po

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/european-first-as-mhra-approves-over-the-counter-allergy-treatment-for-adolescents-aged-12-and-over#:~:text=The%20Medicines%20and%20Healthcare%20products,adolescents%20aged%2012%20years%20and Dr Gary Stiefel, chair of the Allergy UK Health Advisory Board and a consultant in paediatric allergy, said: Fluticasone proportionate 0.05% nasal spray is extremely safe and can be very effective if used alone or in conjunction with non-sedating antihi

https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/hinckley-boy-10-writes-childrens-book-inspired-by-sisters-struggle-with-allergies

Difficult eczema in children can impact on the whole family. Please look at the eczema/allergy video to find out more about eczema and treatment from an allergists perspective https://www.instagram.com/garystiefel ... . Or have a look at national eczema society or AllergyUK. Below is some recent feedback. It is possible to improve eczema!

I really strive and am driven to improving the lives of children and their families with allergic conditions. This includes managing difficult eczema, food allergies, asthma, hay fever and allergic rhinitis. The main aim is to provide high quality, reliable and pragmatic advice to enable children and their families to enjoy life to their full potential and limit the impact of their allergies. I am privileged to be able to do this job and thank all the families for their kind

As a Paediatric Allergist, I would always support breast feeding, although I recognise this is not always possible. Weaning should start from between 4-6 months of age but not before, once your child is developmentally ready and showing interest in food. Early introduction of allergenic foods and continued regular consumptions is advised. This includes the introduction of egg, peanut (in the form of butters) and other nut butters. There is lots of excellent information and i

Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening severe allergic reaction. As one cannot predict the severity it needs to be treated as an emergency and treated quickly to ensure the best outcome. However, what people often dont know is 80% of anaphylaxis gets better with no treatment and it is extremely rare to die from anaphylaxis. For more information please visit my instagram account http://www.instagram.com/garystiefel

Anaphylaxis can cause death, but this is a very rare event. 80% of anaphylaxis gets better with no treatment. 99% respond to 2-3 doses of adrenaline. Approximately 10 x more children die in a car crash than from a food allergy. More children die of asthma than anaphylaxis. We need to take food allergy seriously and treat each and every episode of anaphylaxis as a medical emergency as you cannot predict severity. However ANAPHYLAXIS DOES NOT EQUAL DEATH. If you have a severe r

As a general rule the biggest problem with eczema is under treatment. So a good starting point is the itchy sneezy wheezy website. This guides you on appropriate amounts of moisturiser to use as well as appropriate amounts of medicated creams (e.g topical steroids, and Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors (TCIs)). It is also important to ensure you have clean hands before applying the creams. Topical steroids are generally very safe to use. Many people often prefer to limit the ste

Here's a great guide and some information from Allergy UK. Rather than regurgitate it have a read. It has some great tips! https://www.allergyuk.org/resources/halloween-guide/ Are you an allergy friendly host?