egg allergy

21 February 2015

skin prick tests for allergies

(The information provided is for guidance and is not a substitute for medical advice)

I thought I would share an update on my medical appointments as I have been back to see my Allergy Consultant. We chatted through the outcome of my visit to the Dermatologist and then discussed a rather unfortunate incident I experienced with M&S chocolates at Christmas. I took a risk on a product labelled along the lines of "not suitable for milk allergy because of manufacturing methods". I am in no hurry to repeat that any time soon. I was given another skin prick test for milk and egg. The results were a mild reaction to milk but nothing for egg. For point of reference there are two categories of allergy - Immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated and non-IgE-mediated. IgE mediated is the one associated with anaphylaxis and a skin prick test is likely to be positive whereas with non-IgE anaphylaxis is not a response but symptoms may include vomiting, upset stomach and diarrhoea. Skin prick or blood tests are negative.

Where do we go from here? Well I've been asked to food challenge at home for milk and go to the hospital for an egg challenge. I walked away from my appointment with a mix of emotions as food challenges kind of terrify me. I know my own body and even if a skin prick test is negative I cannot ignore my symptoms. I may never have had anaphylaxis but there is no denying my stomachs and skin reactions. I guess you might say I have developed anxiety towards some foods. I can smell an orange a mile off and the thought of being near one brings me out in a cold sweat because I have a childhood memory of drinking juice and gasping for air.

There is another hurdle to overcome I have spent 28 years on a free from diet and in that time I stopped eating meat and became aware of animal cruelty issues. After much contemplation I realised I have no real desire to incorporate animal milks and eggs back into my diet. I have strong opinions about techniques involved in modern farming. The problem with a food challenge is by "passing" the initial test (not having a reaction) you are expected to keep that ingredient in your diet. I believe the theory is that if you stop eating it you may develop a reaction again over time.

I have decided not to food challenge for the time being. The truth is I am perfectly happy living life with a diet that leans towards Vegan. It is not an easy diet to manage outside of the home as I can feel a little alienated by restaurants but things are slowly improving. My experience with chocolates at Christmas, my skin prick test and my viewpoints on animal cruelty put me off entertaining the thought of challenges.

For the time being I am finished with hospital appointments. It has been a worthwhile experience pursuing a long overdue follow up. I think from this point the rest is up to me, there is little more that the Doctors can do. The test results for milk have been interesting given the consultant was initially dismissive that I still have a problem because there is an expectation that children grow out of some allergies (it does happen). I am happy that my free from lifestyle is still the correct way to manage sensitivities. I am still challenging my OAS and I am now enjoying a few more fruits but I am still a long way off eating an orange.

In my other appointments I was diagnosed with OAS and Methylisothiazolinone allergy, to read about them simply follow the links.

Sarah x

19 December 2014


There has been something which has been bugging me for a little while. Tesco own brand Free From range recently had a little make over. I do like the new bold allergy labels (pictured above) but I have been scratching my head over the dairy free and milk free logo. As far as I am concerned dairy and milk free means the same e.g exclusion of milk, so I am curious why Tesco are labelling products in this way.

It crossed my mind if it had something to do with a common misconception that egg falls under dairy. This is certainly a misunderstanding which I have encountered over the years. Tesco are using a separate logo for egg free/contains egg. As someone with an egg allergy, I am very pleased to finally see labelling which is upfront and a quick reference to guide me to products. Could it be that free from dairy is another way of saying there is no animal milk in a product, a catch all term for anyone not only avoiding cows milk but also sheep and goat etc? I have been considering if this logo confuses non-allergic shoppers, if a friend bought me the chocolate bar would they worry about whether it was suitable for me?

What do you think? Am I making a fuss over nothing or are you as confused as I am?

Sarah x

31 July 2013


I have been on the hunt for a dairy and egg free "cake in a mug" recipe for ages and I finally found one on Pinterest. I like the idea of a single portion of cake. As much as I love baking it takes time and patience and sometimes you just want cake pronto so that's where a microwave comes in handy. Pictured above was my first attempt at the recipe, made on my birthday hence the candle. I also indulged in Alpro Caramel dessert on the side.

The recipe comes from The Blooming Platter's Vegan Single-Serving Microwave “Brownikins” (My Take on a Microwaved Brownie-in-a-Mug). I do recommend adding an accompaniment as it can be a little dry. I have a 700W (D) microwave and cook it for 1 minute, sometimes it needs a few more seconds. You may need to experiment a little to get the perfect timings. Let me know if you make this.


Sarah x

29 May 2013

Can you spot what’s wrong with this picture?


This picture was taken back in April. I tried to complain about it in store but a member of staff wandered off to get the Duty Manager and never returned. Then I wrote a letter to Head Office but after investigating why no one had replied after a month I've now been informed they have no record of it. At the time I was upset about the product placement. Which bright spark decided it was a good idea to hang three rows of Peanut M&Ms in the Free From Section? There they were taunting me next to the Dairy Free chocolate buttons. 

My other complaint with them was they had sent me Gluten Free bread coupons, *sigh*.....need I say more. Regular followers will understand my woes as I'm not Gluten Free but I do have other food allergies, funnily enough those allergens are present in Gluten Free Bread, so I can't eat it even if I wanted to. I now spend more money at my local health food store since the supermarkets jumped onto the Gluten Free marketThere are only one or two products which are suitable for me on the dedicated Free From shelf. 

Sarah x

29 November 2012

Food Allergens in Skin Care
As you know my blog centres around my eczema and allergies. I am lucky to have opportunities to test products but sometimes I have to turn them down because beauty products can contain my food allergens. For the first time ever I was questioned by a Company offering me a product containing one of my allergens. It may seem odd to refuse to test a hair styling product. However, I have to consider the percentage of product that I can absorb via my skin and if it could come in contact with my mouth (transference from hands if not washed immediately after use).

Pai Body Cream and Dr Organic Coconut range are off limits for me because they contain orange. If I consume oranges (or their relations like tangerine or mandarin) I get a rash and asthma. Let me tell you that for many years I suffered an itchy scalp even after switching to SLS free shampoo. When I was at my wits end I read the ingredients over and over again and the common factor between brands I had tried was orange. Once I switch to brands free from orange my scalp has rarely itched. It could be pure coincidence but it may not.

Most recently I have started to break out with eczema across my shoulders. For many years I have washed my hair over the bath as this limits the contact with eczema on my body. Out of laziness (and a sore back) I went back to washing it in the shower. I have been using Unique Nature Green Moisture Shampoo since September. When I blogged about it Dairy Free Baby & Me pointed out it contains Whey. Could the sudden outbreak of eczema be a reaction to this ingredient? Is it a coincidence?  Could I build up a reaction over time? It’s certainly food for thought (pun intended!).

When I had my skin prick test at 10 years old I have no idea whether any one said to my Parents I was to avoid my allergens in skin care. My Mum will tell you how sore my skin was when it came in contact with certain skin care but she wouldn't have checked ingredients. It's certainly something I have taken upon myself to do in recent years. It is just as important to me as avoiding as many synthetic ingredients as possible. Of course I am basing this on personal experience. I find it interesting that some natural brands promote being allergen free (Sophyto is Gluten free & Premae is free from 8 common allergens). 

If you are suffering from sensitivities and have food allergies it may be worth thinking outside the box and looking at the food ingredients you are putting onto your skin.  I would love to hear from others in the same position as me. I am fortunate to not have anaphylaxis as I imagine if you are then avoiding food allergens in your beauty routine is necessary. But for everyone else with milder reactions or intolerance, are you avoiding food allergens in skincare? Have you noticed reactions via your skin? Do you worry about products coming in contact with your mouth? (e.g. lip balms or face creams).

Sarah x

11 September 2012

I am heading to Rome in October and have been looking at Allergy Translation Cards. I am fairly well travelled and majority of the time I manage when it comes to the local cuisine. I have visited Italy (Milan) a few years ago and remember there was a big language barrier. For the life of me I cannot remember what I ate when I was there.  Italian food is delicious but not great when pizzas are loaded with cheese and pasta contains egg. It cross my mind that I want to be better prepared for this trip.

Allergy Translation Cards vary in price and there are some freebie options online.  You could use translate.google.com or bing.com/translator to create your own cards.  If you are not confident to do this, then check out my list of links below to websites offering this service. Allergy Translation Cards do vary in price so shop around.
  • www.dairyfree.me (free but only cater for dairy allergy and limited languages)
  • www.celiactravel.com (for Coeliacs these are free but the site asks you to consider a donation for the service)
  • www.allerglobal.com (you can create your own card free of charge)
  • www.allergyuk.org
  • www.dietarycard.com
  • www.yellowcross.co.uk
  • http://allergyaction.org
I hope this is handy for some of you. If you know of other sites or have a tip for travelling with allergies, please leave a comment below.  One thing I will be do is take with me allergy free snacks.

Sarah x


14 November 2011

My Allergies and Eczema Triggers
I thought it might be of interest to my readers to share a list of my allergens, intolerances and eczema triggers.  Some of these are medically diagnosed using skin tests at hospital but others are self diagnosed.  My symptoms are varied - eczema, rash/hives, itchy throat, sinus problems (blocked nose & glue ear) vomiting, diarrhoea, sweating, stomach pains, mild asthma, swollen joints.  I may suffer just one of these or a combination.  

Foods
Milk, Eggs, OAS to fruits (orange, strawberry, melon, kiwi, pineapple)

Medicines
Penicillin, Ibuprofen

General Living
Wool, Cats, Dogs, Feathers, Dust, Pollen (grass & birch tree), Laundry Detergents, Air Fresheners, Perfume, Washing Up liquid, Soaps, Bubble baths, Lanolin, sun creams, shaving gels - there are many personal care brands that I can't touch - Fairy Washing Up Liquid, Comfort, Lenor, Johnson & Johnson, Nivea, Dove, Balsam Tissues, Radox, Simple, Imperial Leather. I have hayfever and also can't let my skin come in contact with freshly cut grass as it brings me out in hives. If I peel a vegetable without wearing rubber gloves my hands flare up with a rash and I experience this with potatoes.

Difference between Allergy & Intolerance
As far as I understand the difference is an allergy is connected to how your immune system responds to a substance where as an intolerance is to do with digestion.  It is complex hence why the two are often confused.  Follow this link if you would like to learn more www.allergyuk.org

Handy Tips to reduce Allergens
  • When dusting use a damp cloth that way dust does not fly around the room making you sneeze. 
  • Invest in a good vacuum cleaner there are ones with specialist filters to reduce allergens. 
  • If you have eczema on your body wash your hair over the bath or sink so that the shampoo does not wash over your skin. Your body wash may not cause you irritations but a shampoo/conditioner could be the cause. 
  • When bathing try to keep the water temperature moderate otherwise if it is too hot it does you no favours and dries out your skin. 
  • Always use rubber gloves or disposable gloves (latex free) when washing up or cleaning your home. 
  • Regularly vacuum the mattress. You can also buy special allergy covers for pillows and mattress. 
  • Make sure you remove mould from bathrooms or curtains or anywhere else in your home.
Sarah x

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