Food Allergy Management

Food allergy management is a cornerstone of our practice at Children’s Allergy Doctors. Our goal is to give families the knowledge, confidence, and practical tools they need to manage their child’s food allergy safely.

We help families reduce the risk of accidental exposure, recognise allergic reactions early, and respond quickly and effectively if a reaction occurs. With the right guidance and support, children with food allergies can live full, active lives.

Food allergies occur when the immune system mistakenly reacts to a particular food. Reactions can range from mild symptoms such as hives or stomach pain to severe reactions such as anaphylaxis, which requires urgent medical treatment.

Common food allergens include peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, sesame, fish and shellfish, although it is important to remember that any food has the potential to trigger an allergic reaction.

Our Approach to Food Allergy Management

Managing food allergies requires a proactive and structured approach. At Children’s Allergy Doctors we support families through every stage of allergy diagnosis, treatment and long-term management.

During your child’s consultation we will:

take a detailed allergy and medical history
perform appropriate allergy testing where needed
confirm which foods need to be avoided
assess the risk of severe reactions
create a personalised food allergy management plan

Families leave their appointment with clear written guidance and practical advice for managing their child’s allergy at home, school, nursery and when eating out.

Accurate Food Allergy Diagnosis

Accurate diagnosis is essential to avoid unnecessary dietary restrictions and ensure children only avoid foods that truly trigger allergic reactions.

Diagnosis may involve:

Skin prick testing
Blood tests measuring food-specific IgE antibodies
Supervised food challenges where appropriate.

Our goal is to provide clarity so families know exactly which foods need to be avoided and which foods are safe.

Emergency Allergy Plans and Medication

If your child is at risk of severe allergic reactions, we provide a personalised written emergency action plan, based on national guidance from the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI).

Parents and carers are trained to recognise symptoms of allergic reactions and how to respond quickly and safely.

Where needed, children may be prescribed emergency medication such as:

antihistamines
adrenaline auto-injectors (such as EpiPen) or adrenaline nasal device in older children if desired

We provide hands-on training using trainer devices, so parents and caregivers feel confident using these medications if needed.

If a severe allergic reaction occurs, adrenaline should be given immediately and 999 called for emergency medical care.

Food Allergy Treatments: OIT and Food SLIT

Children’s Allergy Doctors are at the forefront of offering treatment options for food allergy, including oral immunotherapy (OIT) and food sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT).

These treatments involve introducing very small amounts of the allergenic food under specialist supervision, gradually helping the immune system become less reactive to that food.

For many children this can:

significantly reduce the risk of severe reactions from accidental exposure
increase the amount of food that can be tolerated safely
reduce anxiety around food and eating.

These treatments are carefully tailored to each child and delivered under expert supervision within our specialist allergy clinic.

It is important to read labels carefully and avoid any food items that contain the allergen, even in small amounts. Following the introduction of Natasha’s Law, food businesses are now required to include full ingredients on pre-packed for direct sake foods.

Understanding Cross-Reactivity

Some food allergies are linked to other foods or environmental allergens. For example, children with tree nut allergy may react to several different nuts, and some people with pollen allergies experience oral allergy syndrome, which causes itching or mild swelling in the mouth when eating certain raw fruits or vegetables.

During your child’s consultation we assess these patterns and provide guidance on which foods need to be avoided and which are safe to eat.

Food Allergy Symptoms

Symptoms of food allergy can include:

hives or skin rash
itching or swelling of the lips, face or throat
nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
diarrhoea
coughing, wheezing or breathing difficulty.

In severe cases, food allergy can cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include:

difficulty breathing
swelling of the tongue or throat
difficulty speaking or swallowing
persistent dizziness
collapse or loss of consciousness.

Immediate treatment with adrenaline and urgent medical attention are required.

Supporting Families

We understand that having a child with a food allergy can be stressful and demanding. Parents often need to constantly read food labels, check ingredients when eating out, and plan ahead to avoid accidental exposure.

Our aim is to make food allergy management clearer, safer and less burdensome, helping children live a normal life that is not restricted by their allergies.

We work closely with families to ensure children maintain a safe, balanced and nutritious diet, even when certain foods must be avoided. Our specialist paediatric allergy dietitians provide comprehensive nutritional assessments and practical tips on alternative foods to ensure growth and nutrition.

What parents say:

‘When my 6 month baby first reacted to egg and diary with instant hives, I was shocked and very overwhelmed to say the least. We had no history of allergies in the family! I was constantly worrying about further reactions in the future, and who with/where/what she will be eating for the coming years!

We decided to see Dr Brough privately due to lag time on the NHS for an appointment (due to COVID) and it’s the best decision we could have ever made! She arranged all of our investigations promptly, explained clearly the link between any eczema and allergies and how to get this eczema well under control. She gave us lots of verbal and written information along with clear epipen instructions and so forth. She modified our moisturising regime as appropriate for our baby’s skin at every examination. It was the most thorough care I have ever received.

Lo and behold, 6 months on from our initial appt – our baby has grown out of her egg allergy, has no nut allergy (but she was deemed high risk) and is on step 3 of the milk ladder, essentially discharged from Dr Brough’s wonderful care! Dr Brough is a lovely, caring doctor and has an incredible knowledge base which makes you trust her even more! Not to forget the nursing team which were also wonderful! Many thanks for your advice and care.’