AFTER her son was diagnosed with anaphylaxis - a severe allergic reaction - Alethea Pritchard decided to set up a support group for other families in the same position. She speaks to health reporter Kate Liptrot.

JUST sitting on the sofa or playing with his friends can trigger an allergic reaction for Llywelyn Pritchard.

If he leans on a table, the traces of milk left from spilt coffee can cause a rash on his arms.

He even has to go into a separate room if his two-year-old little sister Phillipa eats eggs or cheese to avoid a dangerous reaction.

Seven-year-old Llywelyn has anaphylaxis - an extreme and severe allergic reaction which can be deadly - and which is triggered by milk, egg, nuts, sesame and kiwi or horse hair.

It was when he was a tiny four-month-old and his mother Alethea started weaning him, Llywelyn had a worrying allergic reaction to the baby food and was diagnosed with anaphylaxis.

"It was life changing, it was stressful and upsetting," Alethea said: "For the parent of a child with anaphylaxis, it's extremely scary. Food becomes your enemy in a way and you have to control the environment.

"Family members didn't understand and many people don't realise what a difficult thing it is to keep him safe and healthy."

For the first year of his life Llywelyn lived on broccoli, potato and carrots until a dietician advised that he was able to have some kinds of meat and fish and other foods.

Alethea stepped down from her job as a nurse in order to be able to be there for him as every day has to be planned in great detail.

If Llywelyn goes to a restaurant or has lunch away from home he takes his own food and even knife and fork.

Describing how he sees things, the Ralph Butterfield Primary School pupil explained: "It's like a video game where you have to keep food separate."

He has to carry an adrenaline pen in order to be injected should he have an anaphylactic reaction, and his parents Alethea and Ewart carefully treat him with antihistamines to stop any allergic reaction developing.

When people have an anaphylactic reaction the whole body is affected, often within minutes of exposure to the substance which causes the allergic reaction but sometimes after hours.

Food allergies are thought to affect around five to eight per cent of children and two to four per cent of adults.

NHS hospitals in England dealt with over 20,000 admissions for allergies in the 12 months between February 2013 and February 2014 and every year around 20 people will die from anaphylaxis.

Following the success of a previous group she set up when she lived in West Yorkshire, Alethea has set up a support group run in conjunction with the Anaphylaxis Campaign, to support children and their families who have severe, life threatening allergies.

"The aim of the group is to support children who have severe allergy," Alethea said, "These days everyone is allergic but people don't really know what anaphylaxis is. This group is to acknowledge the difficulties.

"I want to tell people they are not alone. When we set up the group in West Yorkshire it was life changing having a group of people who understand the difficulty and stress of keeping your child safe."

Lynne Regent, the Anaphylaxis Campaign CEO, said, “It’s brilliant that Althea has decided to run a support group for us in York. Many people in the general population do not understand just how serious allergy and anaphylaxis can be.

"Our support groups, like the one Althea is running, provide a vital touch point for affected families and individuals and are a really positive way for them to support each other. ”

- The next group meeting meets on Friday, April 17 from 7.30pm to 9pm at Oaken Grove Community Centre, Reid Park, Oaken Grove, Haxby, York YO32 3QW.

To book your free place contact 01252 546100 or email debbie@anaphylaxis.org.uk or for local information, email aletheapritchard@hotmail.com or call 07842 589111


Fact file
 

What can cause anaphylaxis?

Common causes include foods such as peanuts, tree nuts (e.g. almonds, walnuts, cashews, and Brazil nuts), sesame, fish, shellfish, dairy products and eggs.

Non-food causes include wasp or bee stings, natural latex (rubber), penicillin or any other drug or injection.

In some people, exercise can trigger a severe reaction - either on its own or in combination with other factors such as food or drugs (e.g. aspirin).


What are the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction?

Generalised flushing of the skin Nettle rash (hives) anywhere on the body Sense of impending doom Swelling of throat and mouth Difficulty in swallowing or speaking Alterations in heart rate Severe asthma Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting Sudden feeling of weakness (drop in blood pressure) Collapse and unconsciousness (A patient would not necessarily experience all of these symptoms.)


Why does anaphylaxis occur?

Any allergic reaction, including the most extreme form, anaphylactic shock, occurs because the body's immune system reacts inappropriately in response to the presence of a substance that it wrongly perceives as a threat.

An anaphylactic reaction is caused by the sudden release of chemical substances, including histamine, from cells in the blood and tissues where they are stored. The release is triggered by the reaction between the allergic antibody (IgE) and the substance (allergen) causing the anaphylactic reaction. This mechanism is so sensitive that minute quantities of the allergen can cause a reaction.

The released chemicals act on blood vessels to cause the swelling in the mouth and anywhere on the skin. There is a fall in blood pressure and, in asthmatics; the effect is mainly on the lungs.


What is the treatment for a severe reaction?

Adrenaline auto-injectors are prescribed for those believed to be at risk. Adrenaline (also known as epinephrine) acts quickly to constrict blood vessels, relax smooth muscles in the lungs to improve breathing, stimulate the heartbeat and help to stop swelling around the face and lips.


Who is at risk from anaphylaxis?

If a patient has suffered a bad allergic reaction in the past – whatever the cause – then any future reaction is also likely to be severe. If a significant reaction to a tiny dose occurs, or a reaction has occurred on skin contact, this might also be a sign that a larger dose may trigger a severe reaction.

It is particularly important that those with asthma as well as allergies are seen by an allergy specialist because asthma can put a patient in a higher risk category. Where foods such as nuts, seeds, shellfish and fish are concerned, even mild symptoms should not be ignored because future reactions may be severe.