Poinsettia Alert

The popular indoor plant Poinsettia may seem an unlikely Christmas hazard but its milky sap can set off a severe skin reaction amongst those allergic to latex. The allergen that both latex and Poinsettias share is actually two proteins that have also been linked to banana, kiwi fruit and chestnuts.

Avoid skin contact with the plant by applying a drop of Gloves in a Bottle shielding lotion to the hands every four hours.

Christmas Tree Allergy

We’ve been warning AllergyBestBuys customers to the allergy problems posed by indoor Christmas trees for years. Now scientists confirm that the traditional fir or spruce, left in a warm room, releases mould spores that can trigger watery eyes, coughing, chest pains and lethargy.

Dr Lawrence Kurlandsky, formerly of Upstate Medical University in New York, who led a recent study into Christmas Tree Syndrome, said he has seen some “pretty clearcut” cases.

Our advice is to spray your tree with HomeCleanse or instal an Airfree or Cleanaer air purifier to clear the air of any mould spores.

Hidden food allergens

• If you’re coeliac or wheat allergic beware of those little silver balls used as cake decorations as most of them contain wheat starch.
• Dried fruits usually contain sulphates as preservatives, well known for triggering asthma.
• Watch out for nut trace warnings on some ready-roll icings and remember Royal icing contains egg white.
• Marzipan, made with egg yolk and ground almonds is an obvious no-no for anyone allergic to these ingredients.

You can make an acceptable alternative by substituting fresh white breadcrumbs for the almonds, mixed with the grated rind of a lemon or orange. Or click here for our Nut-free Marzipan recipe that uses egg white rather than yolk.

Milk in plain
chocolate risk

The Foods Standard Agency has asked us to alert AllergyBestBuys customers with milk allergy of the risk of cross-contamination of plain chocolate products with milk.
As most chocolate used in UK foods is milk chocolate it is not usually feasible for manufacturers to have separate, dedicated equipment used only to make plain chocolate products.

There have been a number of instances where plain chocolate products have had to be withdrawn from sale because milk has been detected in the products although there are no deliberately milk-based ingredients. More plain chocolate products now carry advisory labelling warning of possible milk cross contamination and it is important that milk allergic consumers are aware of this risk and take note of the warning labels.

Candles and perfumes

Scented candles are a delight but not if you’re sensitive to fragrances or paraffin wax which can release harmful toxins.

Look instead for soy, natural vegetable or beeswax candles with essential oils.

And if the perfume worn by your fellow party-goers affects you, our mini wearable

Air Supply can offer discreet protection and send a gentle breeze of pure air into your breathing zone. Learn more and buy here.