Treating the Cause Not Just the Symptom

That's our maxim here at Allergy Medical UK. We believe that identifying and treating the underlying causes of allergies and food intolerance is preferable to masking the symptom with medication, which may be short lived. Here you'll find details of our clinics, Thames Allergy Centre, Weybridge Surrey; Oxford Allergy Centre, Oxford and Airedale Allergy Centre, West Yorkshire, as well as a comprehensive guide for beginning your diagnosis, leading to a more enjoyable and healthier life.

In the UK many are only now beginning to realise the intricate role that food and allergens play in our complex bodies. Add the unique differences between each of us and it becomes easier to appreciate the challenge of diagnosis and the wisdom of expert treatment.

Only Qualified Doctors

Dr. Apelles Econs, Medical Director, is a registered medical practitioner and an Allergy Specialist. His aim is to enable others to benefit from an effective management and prevention of their allergies.

Biography

Food Allergy or Food Intolerance - Which?

Many of us have reactions to food or other substances. These can range from mild to severe, even life-threatening. What many people refer to as an allergy is actually an intolerance. So how can we know if it is an food allergy or a food intolerance?

A true food allergy usually causes an immediate reaction, within 30 minutes to two hours. This reaction can be rashes, hives, wheezing, vomiting, swelling of the tongue and/or lips or in severe cases anaphylactic shock.  Simple allergy testing with a blood sample can test and confirm an allergy.  Food intolerance is more common, not life threatening and the reactions are less severe. Reactions can occur hours or even days after a certain food has been eaten. Symptoms can be rhinitis, asthma, eczema, itching, nausea, stomach cramps, bloating, wind, palpitations and many others. In fact food intolerance is responsible for many modern-day conditions & ill-health. Please read further...

How can I find out if I have a food intolerance?

Identify the culprit(s). Either by Elimination and Challenge or, food intolerance blood tests. A minority with extensive food reactions will always remain sensitive, then we offer desensitisation to improve their tolerance to these foods. Read more: Food Intolerance & Dietary Tests

We fill our shopping trolley with a huge variety of foods, if you study the contents we are frequently eating the same ingredients but in a variety of forms. We will have grains in our cereals, bread or croissant, as well as pasta, biscuits and cakes let alone wheat in many packaged and convenience foods. The same is true with dairies, hence they are amongst the most commonly identified foods we are intolerant too.

See Food Intolerance for further information

HAY FEVER TREATMENTS

It's a joy to feel a hint of Spring in the air, warmer days, blue skies, birdsong, grass growing, bulbs, buds on trees - at last.

For some indeed that is how we feel, for others... it is the beginning of itchy watery eyes, runny itchy nose, repeated sneezing, itchy throat, palate and ears. Yes, it is the beginning of the hay fever season.

Hay fever is caused by breathing in pollen particles and the particles also getting in your eyes. The hay fever season varies from person to person depending on when you get symptoms.

In early spring it is trees such as Ash, silver birch or oak that are the cause. In the summer months, May to August, it is the grasses that are the problem and towards the autumn, the culprits are the weeds such as nettles, mugwort or some moulds.

ECZEMA TREATED ON 'FOOD HOSPITAL' PROGRAMME

In mild cases of eczema the skin is dry, scaly, red and itchy. In more severe cases there may be weeping, crusting and bleeding. Constant scratching causes the skin to split and bleed and also leaves it open to infection.

An increase of between two - and five-fold has been seen in atopic eczema over the past 30 years. An increasing exposure to allergens such as house dust mite and other environmental factors have been suggested to be the main causes of this increase.

However, contrary to popular belief, eczema is not always caused by allergens in the air. Some people find that their symptoms get worse after eating certain foods or additives and get better when they leave them out of their diet for 1-2 weeks. On the basis of this observation, we can define an elimination & challenge process which aims to identify specific foods, responsible for one's eczema.

Toby, as seen on Channel 4’s Food Hospital programme, came to Allergy Medical UK with severe eczema, particularly on his hands as well as IBS and fatigue. Having taken a comprehensive medical history to identify the likely triggers of his eczema, he was given a diet to follow for two weeks. Within days of starting the diet, eliminating common allergenic foods, Toby saw an improvement in his skin and other health problems.

By the end of the two weeks he had a 95% clearance of his eczema and was feeling much better and more confident within himself.

Listen to an interview with Toby below