Multi Allergy Self Test Kits
by Dr John Rees
Dr John Rees - inventor of the world's first multi allergy
self test.
Dr Rees has a PhD in Allergy from St Bartholomew's Hospital, London for his work on dust mite allergy, is a member of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) and Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science. As well as inventing Imutest, the world's first multi allergy self test kit, Dr Rees has spoken on national and local radio, presented at international scientific meetings and contributed to many newspaper and magazine articles on the subject of allergies and food intolerances.
Dr Rees is currently developing 'i2' - a completely new type of multi allergy self self kit. If you have any questions about allergy tests or have a commercial interest in licensing the 'i2' technology please call Dr Rees on 01492 510329.
What is allergy?
Some people, have a tendency to develop a sensitivity to harmless substances such as pollen, dust mites and foods.
These allergies can range in severity from mild hay fever symptoms, occurring for just a few days in summer, to life threatening anaphylactic reactions.
Many reasons have been proposed for why we have such a high rate of allergies in the UK... and why they still seem to be increasing but the only thing we know for sure is that around 1 in 3 people in the UK have allergy related symptoms.
'Nearly everyone, with any
allergy, are also sensitive to dust mites, pollens or cats'
Allergy symptoms can include hay fever, asthma, eczema, food allergy as well as life threatening anaphylactic reactions. Whether we get allergies depends mostly on our genes. If both your parents have allergies then the risk of you suffering too can be as high as 80%. These genetic risk factors together with environmental conditions combine to determine whether we get symptoms.
Types of allergy
There are broadly three types of allergies;
1. True allergies
These allergies are responsible for symptoms such as hay fever, asthma, eczema, food allergies and anaphylactic reactions and are often triggered by everyday things such as dust mites, pets, pollens and foods. These types of allergies can be diagnosed from a good clinical history and tests that measure the levels of antibodies in the blood known as Immunoglobulin E (IgE).
2. Food intolerances
Food intolerances are difficult to diagnose as the symptoms can be highly variable triggering anything from tiredness to IBS type symptoms. One of the most serious forms of food sensitivity is coeliac disease (also spelt celiac) which is a sensitivity to gluten found in wheat, barley and rye. Only 1 in 5 people with coeliac disease has been diagnosed and without treatment are at higher risk of complications later on in life such as osteoporosis, infertility and bowel cancer.
Thankfully, there are now excellent blood tests for coeliac disease and even a simple and reliable home test which will give you a result in just 5 minutes.
Another major food intolerance is lactose intolerance which is caused by your body producing insufficient amounts of a digestive enzyme called lactase. This enzyme is responsible for the digestion of lactose the sugar found in milk. Many people with undiagnosed and untreated coeliac disease may also suffer from lactose intolerance.
Other food intolerances are more difficult to diagnose by blood tests and you may require an exclusion diet under the supervision of your doctor.
3. Contact allergies
These reactions often cause skin rashes and dermatitis. The triggers can range from occupational allergens through to foods and inhalant allergens. A common cause of contact dermatitis is sensitivity to nickel found in fashion jewelry and jeans buttons. Contact allergies are diagnosed by a consultant dermatologist.
Dust mite allergy
Dust mites are one of the most common triggers of allergy symptoms - much more so than food allergies and intolerances. House dust is a complex mixture of fibres, minerals, dried food, moulds and microscopic spider like creatures called house dust mites. Dust mites live in nearly all homes and are believed to feed on flakes of human skin. They normally live unnoticed in warm and moist places such as bedding, sofas, curtains, carpets and children's furry toys - but if you have an allergy to them you may well notice the symptoms!
Dust mites can trigger symptoms all year round causing misery to anyone who is sensitive to them. Symptoms of asthma, eczema and rhinitis (hayfever) are commonly associated with dust mite sensitivity and may include itchy, runny or blocked nose and sneezing, itchy red, sore eyes, itchy sore throat and tongue rashes and eczema.
It is almost impossible to completely eliminate dust mites in your home. As a general guide if the amount of moisture (humidity) in the air in your home is high then so will be the level of house dust mites.
Tips
- reduce indoor humidity with a dehumidifier
- use a high filtration vacuum cleaner
- vacuum you mattress, carpets and soft furnishings at least once a week to remove mites
- wash sheets, blankets, duvet covers and pillowcase regularly (A minimum 60C was is required to ensure dust mites and eggs are killed)
- damp dust all surface to stop the allergens becoming airborne
- keep your bedrooms well ventilated to prevent the build up of humidity
- air your mattress once per month if possible
- protective bedding can be purchased
Pet allergy
Up to 10% of the population may be allergic to pet animals to some degree - for those with asthma this rises to almost 30%! Up to 40% of children with asthma are allergic to cats.
- cats are the most common cause of pet allergy
- dogs are the second most common cause
Pets can trigger asthma leading to cough, wheezing, tightness in the chest and shortness of breath. Pets can also be the cause of rashes and eczema. Other allergy symptoms may include;
- itchy, runny or blocked nose and sneezing
- itchy red, sore eyes
- itchy sore throat and tongue
- don't keep furry pets - however, if you can't bare parting with your pet then try to limit them to one room in the house
- keep your pet out of the bedroom and off any furniture in a room where you spend most of your time, as exposure can be very high
- don't let your pet near your face or clothing as this can exacerbate your symptoms
- wash your pet regularly - allergens can be easily washed away with a wet sponge (wear gloves when washing your pets or better still get someone else to do it for you)
- ask someone else to brush your pet to remove allergens from the fur or hair- preferably outside the house!
- vacuum carpets and soft furnishings regularly to remove animal hairs
- replace bedding that pets have been in contact with regularly - it can take months or even years to remove allergens from fabrics
- consider installing an air cleaner
Pollen Allergy and Hay fever
Hay fever (grass pollen) is one of the most common allergic reactions and complaints in the UK. In general it starts between the ages of 8 and 20 years old, with the symptoms becoming less severe as the person gets older, but unfortunately there is no age limit on who can suffer.
There is evidence that suggests hayfever is increasing in prevalence along with other allergies. It is thought that pollution may be an important contributor.
Acting early in the season can mean you suffer fewer symptoms and suffer less misery. Avoid areas of long grass during the summer months, keep windows closed midmorning, late afternoon and early evening when the pollen counts are highest, keep car windows closed when driving - check whether your car has a pollen filter and whether it needs replacing, wear glasses to reduce contact of pollen with the eyes, check pollen counts broadcast on the TV, radio or listed in newspapers before going out for the day and take avoidance action. Your pharmacist can advise on suitable medications which are available without prescription such as antihistamines, decongestants and anti-inflammatory nasal sprays and eye drops.
Pollen is released from different plants at different times of the year. Knowing when your symptoms occur can help you identify the likely trigger. Hay fever (grass pollen) is the most common seasonal sensitivity.
- Tree pollens - Spring
- Grass pollens (Hay fever) - Summer
- Weed pollens - Autumn
- frequent bouts of sneezing
- runny, itchy or blocked nose
- watery, itchy red or sore eyes
- itchy sore throat and tongue
- headache and loss of concentration
Pollen may be from trees, grasses and weeds with increase in symptoms coinciding with the flowering of these plants. Trees can cause symptoms during Spring, grasses in the Summer, with weeds and mould spores prevalent during autumn and winter. Dust mites can also trigger hayfever type symptoms and if you have a problem with allergies all year round these could be the culprits.
Pollen and mould spores are airborne allergens that are blown into contact with the eyes, nose and lungs where they cause symptoms in sensitive people. Plants that cause hayfever are usually those producing vast quantities of pollen and use the wind for pollination. Generally, insect pollinated plants (such as the daisies in the photograph above) do not contribute to hayfever as they produce less pollen than wind pollinated species such as grasses and trees.
Food allergy
Food allergies are not nearly as common as inhalant allergies but are still suffered by a million people in the UK. Most affected are children under two years old where the main culprits are cows milk and egg.
Food allergy symptoms may include; itching, swelling lips and face, coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing, asthma, dry, itchy throat and tongue, itchy skin, rashes and eczema, diarrhoea, vomiting, headache or anaphylaxis. The most common foods that cause allergic reactions are; milk, eggs, wheat / gluten, citrus fruits, peanuts, walnuts, fish, shell fish and sesame seeds.
It is important that once you confirm you have a food allergy that you seek medical advice. You should not attempt to check your sensitivity by eating a food you suspect may be causing the problem. Similarly, avoidance of common foods such as milk, eggs or wheat should only take place after consultation with a qualified dietician or your doctor as unnecessary avoidance of these foods can lead to nutritional deficiencies.
Food intolerance
Allergic reactions have two phases an early phase reaction which appears within minutes after inhalation or ingestion of an allergen and a late phase which can occur many hours or even a day later. These late phase symptoms may be more severe than the initial early phase reaction and can be confused with a food intolerance.
Food intolerance symptoms can be caused by a wide range of triggers including true food allergies mediated by IgE antibodies. There are other types of food intolerance, some of which are psychological such as a dislike of a particular foods texture or flavour and some chemical and bacterial toxin triggers too.
People who believe they may have a wheat intolerance may in fact have coeliac disease - this is usually diagnosed by a blood test followed by a biopsy of the intestine for study in the laboratory.
An excellent home test kit is now available for the initial diagnosis of coeliac disease. Some people with intolerance's to dairy products may have a lactose intolerance. Lactose is a sugar found in milk. People with a specific deficiency of the enzyme lactase may have symptoms associated with lactose intolerance after they drink milk.
Biography - Dr John Rees
Dr Rees has a PhD in Allergy from St Bartholomew's Hospital, London for his work on dust mite allergy, is a member of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) and Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science. As well as inventing the world's first multi allergy self test kit for IgE mediated allergies known as Imutest, Dr Rees has spoken on national and local radio, presented at international scientific meetings and contributed to many newspaper and magazine articles on the subject of allergies and food intolerances.
'Project i2' - the future of consumer allergy tests
Dr Rees is currently developing a new allergy test device to replace the original Multi Allergy Self Test, Imutest, technology which is simpler to manufacture, even easier to use and allows a wider range of allergens to be tested. The project, called 'i2', is expected to be complete by Q3, 2011.Who are Health Check Shop?
Health Check Shop is a registered trademark and the consumer health division of JRBiomedical Ltd. JRBiomedical is a medical company founded in 2005 by Dr Rees, providing medical diagnostic tests to hospital laboratories and intensive care units. The Biocard Celiac Test was introduced to the UK by JRBiomedical Ltd in 2006.
Health Check Shop specialises in medical tests for home use and provides free professional follow-up help and advice for their customers.
See www.healthcheckshop.co.uk for further information.
Further information
Telephone JRBiomedical on 01492 510 329 or visit www.healthcheckshop.co.uk