Expert Allergy Advice & Articles from London Allergy Consultants
Will OIT cure my child’s Cashew and Pistachio Allergy?
Cashew nut allergy is a common tree nut allergy in the UK. It is seldom outgrown and can cause severe reactions. Cashews and pistachios share highly homologous proteins, meaning an allergy to one usually necessitates strict avoidance of both. We offer OIT to Cashew at our ACE clinics in the UK.
Should I burp (wind) my baby?
The only literature on burping efficacy showed no benefits. Burping is a widely practised caregiving routine in newborn care, believed to release swallowed air, reduce regurgitation and minimise colic. Despite its near-universal application, scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of burping in healthy term infants remains limited and conflicting.
Does my infant have Cow's Milk Protein Colitis (CMPA), aka food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis (FPIAP)?
Cow's milk protein colitis (also called food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis or FPIAP) is a benign, self-limited non-IgE-mediated food allergy that typically presents in otherwise healthy infants with blood-streaked, mucoid stools. It is the most common cause of rectal bleeding in infancy and usually resolves within the first 1-2 years of life.
Is Plane Tree Pollen Allergy aggravating my eyes?
London Plane irritates in two distinct ways:
Like birch or grass, the tree releases wind-borne pollen. This triggers a standard IgE-mediated allergic response.
As the leaves and seed balls emerge in spring, they are covered in tiny, stiff, umbrella-shaped hairs. These hairs are physically "spiky" and act as a mechanical irritant to the mucous membranes of the eyes and throat.
Can food allergens pass through into breast milk?
Common questions in clinic include:
Can proteins in Breast Milk Cause Allergies? Is a restrictive maternal diet the answer? How do I identify if my baby’s symptoms are related to my diet? Can my diet impact my babies' long-term allergy risk?
Is OIT for Pea, Chickpea and Lentil Allergy available?
Pea, lentil, and chickpea are increasingly common food allergies. These allergies are outgrown in approximately 20-32% of children by age 15
Peanut allergy does not always mean allergy to other legumes.
We offer OIT for these allergens as part of our ACE service.
Do all the infections my child gets at nursery benefit the immune system long term?
Whilst nursery attendance increases the frequency of illness in the short term, it offers long-term immunological benefits.
Does Walnut Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) also protect against Pecan Allergy?
Walnut allergies are a leading cause of nut-induced allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.
There is a high risk of "co-allergy" with pecans due to nearly identical protein structures.
Walnut and Pecan allergies are rarely outgrown and typically require lifelong vigilance and, in the absence of OIT, the constant presence of an epinephrine auto-injector or Neffy device.
We offer OIT for these allergens as part of our ACE service.
Where can I access Sesame OIT in the UK?
Sesame Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) has emerged as a Sesame Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) has become a medical therapy for children with severe sesame allergies. Unlike simple avoidance, OIT aims to retrain the immune system by allowing the regular, supervised consumption of small amounts of sesame protein.
Where can I access Pollen Immunotherapy (SLIT or SCIT) in the UK?
Benefits of pollen immunotherapy include modifying the disease process, leading to long-term tolerance; preventing allergic rhinitis from progressing to asthma; reducing new sensitisations to allergens; maintaining clinical efficacy after treatment discontinuation; and improving control of allergic symptoms while decreasing medication use.
Peanut OIT in the UK - beyond Palforzia - FAQ’s
The decision to discontinue Palforzia globally is strictly a commercial and strategic move by the manufacturer. It is unrelated to the treatment's quality, safety, or effectiveness, which remain clinically proven.
Is my baby lactose-intolerant?
The classic features of lactose intolerance in infants may include: watery, acidic diarrhoea, abdominal distension, flatulence and, in severe cases, failure to thrive and dehydration (if lactose-containing feeds are continued).
Is Food Allergy causing my baby's colic?
The NICE guidelines for infantile colic emphasise reassurance, parental support, soothing techniques such as holding, white noise, motion, and winding, as well as ruling out serious issues, such as feeding problems or allergies. Fortunately, colic typically resolves by the ages of 3 to 6 months.
What is ‘The Allergic March’, aka The Atopic March?
The allergic march, aka the atopic march, is a concept describing the possible progression of allergies through childhood.
The "march" is not universal or linear; trajectories vary and are influenced by genetic predispositions, environmental exposures (e.g., the microbiome, pollutants), and immunologic factors.
Find our Surrey Food Allergy Clinic
We at London Allergy Consultants are delighted to announce that we have recommenced our specialised Surrey Allergy clinics.
There are clinic days open in Jan 2026 and Feb so please feel free to contact outr office
Does my baby have Silent Reflux?
Symptoms of silent reflux may include:
Feeding refusal
Irritability (especially during or after feeds)
Back arching, hip flexion, rigid posture
Choking, gagging, or coughing and may smell of sickness when this happens
Unexplained or inconsolable crying
Is Rice infant formula in the UK appropriate for infants with cow’s milk protein allergy?
Is the use of a Hydrolysed Rice Milk Formula safe and effective for use in infants with Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy?
Can I eat sesame oil if I'm allergic to sesame?
Is it safe to eat sesame oil if you're allergic to sesame? This is a common question in our allergy clinic and is worth exploring in more detail.
Mucus in my baby's poo, is this normal?
Is it normal for a baby to have mucus streaks in their poo? This can be a frightening sight for parents and is a common question raised in our Allergy clinic.
Soy-Based Formula is a safe, nutritious, and cost-effective option for infants with IgE-mediated Cow's Milk Allergy (if Soy IgE negative)
Soy-Based Formula is a safe, nutritious, and cost-effective option for healthy infants with IgE-mediated Cow's Milk Allergy, provided the child does not have a separate soy allergy.