Latest news with #AllergyUK
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
How to check the air quality near you before Saharan dust sweeps the UK
From the hottest spring on record to droughts and so-called rain bombs, it's already been an unusual year in the world of weather. Now, Saharan dust (fine particles blown from the Sahara desert in North Africa) is expected to sweep across the UK later this week, thanks to winds pushing particles high into our atmosphere. The weather warning, flagged by BBC Weather's Carol Kirkwood on X this morning, is a timely reminder to check the air quality where you live – especially if you have allergies or a lung condition. Kirkwood said the dust could be visible from Wednesday to Friday and possibly noticeable on your car. But aside from car-washing woes, these dust clouds can impact our health. When the air is heavy with pollution – whether from traffic, pollen or Saharan dust – it can cause symptoms like coughing, wheezing and breathlessness, particularly in people with asthma or other respiratory issues. "Fine particles in dust clouds can irritate inflamed airways," explains Karen Spillett, deputy head of health advice at Asthma and Lung UK. "If you have a lung condition, you may already have some inflammation in your airways, and those particles can make things worse, especially if you're outside and breathing them in." Saharan dust can be carried over to the UK on high winds, causing poor air quality and leading to health alerts for people with respiratory issues. "It's the same advice we give on high pollen days," she adds. "Take your preventer medication every day as prescribed, and make sure you have your reliever inhaler with you when you're out and about." She also recommends having a self-management plan in place. "It helps you know what steps to take when your symptoms get worse, and when to seek help." Cities, unsurprisingly, top the list. More traffic, more people, and more industrial activity mean more pollution. But that doesn't mean the countryside is immune. Farming practices, construction, wood-burning stoves, and even coal fires all contribute to air pollution. Rural areas can also see higher ozone levels, especially in warmer months. "If you're travelling along busy main roads, you're exposed to more pollution every day," says Spillett. Even your regular commuting route can make a difference. The weather plays a big role, too. Pollution tends to build up on still, sunny days when there's little wind to disperse it. "Hot, heavy air makes it harder to breathe, especially if there are added particles from something like Saharan dust," she adds. "It's like extra pollution in the mix, and it can push some people over the edge symptom-wise." If Saharan dust or traffic fumes are ramping up the pollution index, Allergy UK says there are practical ways to protect yourself: Stay indoors when you can, especially during peak pollution hours or on very hot, still days. Keep windows and doors shut to stop particles entering your home. Avoid main roads when walking or cycling; stick to quieter side streets if possible. Use recirculated air in the car, particularly in slow-moving traffic. Exercise early, when the air quality tends to be better. Shower after spending time outside to rinse off pollen and pollutants. Use antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays as advised. Choose exercise routes away from heavy traffic or industrial zones. Avoid mowing the lawn or gardening during high pollen or pollution days. If you have asthma or a lung condition, always carry your reliever inhaler, Spillett adds. If you notice you're using it more than usual, follow your action plan or check in with your GP. While masks became second nature during the pandemic, they're not a one-size-fits-all solution for pollution. Some specialist masks with charcoal filters can reduce your exposure to traffic-related gases like nitrogen dioxide. But they still don't block the tiniest, most harmful particles that can get deep into your lungs. Plus, many people with respiratory issues find masks harder to breathe through. So it's usually better to focus on avoidance and preparation. The good news? It's easy to keep an eye on what you're breathing. Use the following: Defra's Daily Air Quality Index (DAQI): Check pollution forecasts at or call 0800 55 66 77. airText: Free text alerts for Greater London, Chelmsford, Colchester and Cambridge. City Air app: Sends email alerts specifically for London residents. London Air: Monitors pollution levels across London, with a handy mobile app. airAlert: Offers free alerts for Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and Sevenoaks. Many weather apps now include air quality information, and Asthma and Lung UK recommends checking this daily during high-risk periods. Finally, if you're ever unsure about symptoms or you're struggling to breathe, call NHS 111 or speak to your GP. If you want to chat things through, Asthma and Lung UK has a free nurse-led helpline on 0300 222 5800. Read more about weather: How hot it could get this summer as Met Office issues heatwave warning (Yahoo UK News, 4-min read) How climate change is making our health worse (Yahoo UK News, 4-min read) Only seven countries met WHO air quality standards in 2024, data shows (Reuters, 2-min read)
The Independent
09-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Urgent ‘do not eat' warning issued for popular meal sold in Tesco and Morrisons
A popular beef lasagne meal has been pulled from major supermarkets over fears it could contain seafood, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) warned. La Famiglia Rana Slow-Cooked Braised Beef Lasagne was removed from Tesco and Morrisons due to it possibly containing prawns and lobster. 'Giovanni Rana (UK) Ltd is recalling La Famiglia Rana Slow-Cooked Braised Beef Lasagne, due to a packaging error,' the FSA said. 'Some packs may contain Prawn & Lobster Lasagne, that contains crustaceans (prawns and lobster), which are not mentioned on the label. This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to crustaceans.' Shellfish can cause severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis, according to food allergy experts. According to Allergy UK: 'A fish/shellfish allergic reaction occurs when the body recognises the food protein as harmful and mounts an allergic response. 'An allergic reaction to seafood can be mild or moderate (swollen lips, face or eyes, itching, tingling mouth, hives, rash, abdominal pain, vomiting) or severe (breathing difficulties, dizziness or collapse). Fish/shellfish reactions have the potential to cause anaphylaxis, which is the most severe form of an allergic reaction.' The La Famiglia Rana range is sold across multiple supermarkets, including Tesco and Morrisons, who have also put out their own recalls for the Italian meal.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bolton man to run the London Marathon to raise awareness of this condition
A Bolton man is gearing up to run the London Marathon to raise awareness of a potentially life-threatening condition he has had since being only a few months old. Adam Fear, 35, a recruitment manager, will take on the 26.2-mile challenge on Sunday, April 27, on the final day of Allergy Awareness Week 2025. For Mr Fear, who lives with multiple allergies, running the London Marathon has been a life goal. Adam is allergic to all types of nuts with the risk of anaphylaxis (a very severe reaction). He also has allergies to cats, dogs, and other animals, plus hay fever. Mr Fear said: "I have lived with allergies all my life - I was only a few months old when the problems started. "At first, my parents took charge of everything but of course I then learned to self-manage. "I am very careful, but it can be stressful - and allergies aren't always taken seriously. "I've been offered food with nuts, given coffee with almond milk when I can't have it, and even had someone eat nuts at my desk while hot-desking. "It's not just inconvenient; it's a constant reminder of the potential dangers of accidental exposure. "It can affect your self-confidence at times, but I've learned to do what's right for me." As part of Allergy Awareness Week, Allergy UK will be highlighting three important facts about allergies: they can develop at any age, they can exacerbate other health conditions (such as asthma), and getting an allergy diagnosis is crucial for accessing the right care and support. The week also marks the start of Allergy UK's new campaign "I Wish I Knew...", which aims to raise awareness about the many things people may not know about allergic disease. Mr Fear added: "I'm really happy to - finally - have a place in the London Marathon, after trying through the ballot for seven years! READ MORE: Deane Road motorists being warned they will not get away with speeding Bolton district 'free' car parks 3-hour limit will not be enforced Westhoughton ranks highly in best places to live survey "I have completed one marathon previously and a couple of half marathons and 10Ks. "My training is going very well. "I am hoping for a very ambitious personal best time of under four hours - which will be a huge one hour faster than my previous marathon!" Simone Miles, chief executive at Allergy UK, said: "Our much-needed work wouldn't be possible without the determination and generosity of our incredible fundraisers. "It's inspiring to hear about Adam's efforts on our behalf. "We're very grateful to Adam for his commitment and glad to hear that training is going well. "The money raised will help fund services which address the unmet need felt by so many in the allergy community in relation to seeking clinical advice, psychological support, and information on their rights on living with an allergy." Mr Fear has set up a fundraising page for donations at
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
I'm A Mum Of Two – These 7 Baby Products Genuinely Changed My Life
We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, HuffPost UK may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication. When I was expecting my first child, I remember feeling completely overwhelmed by all the stuff we thought we needed for our new baby. It all seemed so expensive – and wow, there was so much of it. Long story short, we bought far too many things we probably didn't need (not ideal at a time when your pay is about to take a massive hit). Two kids in and I've swiftly learned that there are only really a handful of products that have actually been useful on a daily basis – and that I'd genuinely recommend buying. So, to help you save some pennies in the long-run, here are the products I found to be most useful (and therefore well worth the cash) in my early parenting journey. BabyBjörn The BabyBjörn bouncer was one of those purchases I was quite nervous about because £200 is a hefty sum to drop on a baby bouncer, but a few of our friends had recommended it so we bit the bullet and got one. I'm pleased to reveal it's been worth its weight in gold. It has enabled me to shower regularly, sit and eat dinner, and has survived endless poo explosions (we opted for the mesh fabric which washes easily and dries super quickly too!). It is incredibly sturdy and I've always felt my babies have been very safe when sitting in it. My second baby is now toddling so I love that I can simply turn the fabric around and use it as a chair for her – it can be used as a chair until your child weighs 29 lbs/13 kg. The bouncer also folds flat so you can easily take it with you on trips away or to your mate's house. We used it so much that we ended up getting a little googly-eyed toy attachment which helped keep both babies entertained for short periods. Buy it now for £209.90. Amazon I've tried a lot of baby wipes in the past three-and-a-half years and none have come close to Water Wipes. Both of my children have quite sensitive skin but these wipes tend to keep their nappy regions (and faces, when I have to do a post-lunch clean up) happy. I can count on one hand the amount of times we've had to deal with nappy rash and I credit that to these wipes and also drying the nappy area thoroughly after using them. They've also been dubbed an Allergy Friendly Product by Allergy UK which might help put your mind at ease. While they're a bit more expensive, the wipes are also quite thick so you can fold them in half and go back for a second wipe – whereas some other versions are quite thin and you only really get one wipe out of them. As a result the packs seem to last us longer than other wipes, too. Buy a box of 12 packs for £22.76 Dreamegg If you're a new parent, or you've got a friend who's about to have a baby, the Dreamegg Sleep Lite D11 is well-worth buying. We used it with our kids as they are both light sleepers (lucky us) and it's been a game-changer for helping them stay asleep – for example, if you're out and about and they're napping in the pushchair or you have friends over and don't want to wake up the kids with your laughing. It has loads of sound settings but we typically just use the white noise setting (you can also have shh-ing sounds, lullabies and restaurant background noise). There's also a handy night light so we keep that on in the background as it seems to help our littlest feel more settled. We've used this pretty much every day since we bought it three years ago, so have definitely got our money's worth. Buy it now for £35.99 Izmi Not gonna lie, I was worried about buying a sling because they look so incredibly complicated to tie up – like, would I need a degree in sling-fastening to be able to wear one? It turns out I need not have worried. When we were expecting our second child I realised a sling would probably be quite useful for carrying my newborn while also looking after, and playing with, our toddler. I bought this wrap from Izmi which was £39.99 on Amazon and is basically a really long piece of stretchy fabric that you then tie in a certain way to keep your baby nice and safe while they snuggle you and snooze. I wish I had bought this when we had baby number one because it was so incredibly useful for going about my day – especially because, like most newborns, both babies didn't like to be put in a Moses basket and wanted all the contact naps. As for how complicated it is, it took me a few tries to get it right but once I'd used it a couple of times it was really easy to tie it up quickly – and my toddler loved the fact I could still do jigsaw puzzles with her while sat on the floor, so that's a major win in my eyes. Buy it now for £39.99 Amazon Having already purchased a Medela breast pump not long after my first baby was born, I realised after the birth of my second child that I didn't want the faff that went with said pump – you had to plug it in and basically sit still while you pumped. Not ideal when you've got mountains of washing to do (amongst a gazillion other things). So, I looked at reviews for wearable breast pumps and came across this very wallet-friendly version by a brand called Kissbobo. The single pump is £30 and you can stick it in your bra and go about your day while expressing milk. It's a nifty bit of kit – you can recharge the battery with a USB wire and there are various suction settings. It's pretty easy to remove the pump and then tip it into a breast milk bag for freezing. I can't really fault it – and the fact it didn't break the bank (like a lot of other pumps do) also helped. Buy it here for £29.99 Amazon Once my kids were weaning at six months, these store and wean pots from Vital Baby – which are BPA, phthalate and latex free – really came into their own. I would batch cook baby food, blend it up and then store it in these pots, either in the fridge or freezer. They are the perfect size for little portions and, as they got older and became toddlers, the pots became great for storing snacks like homemade muffins, raspberries, berries, yoghurt (etc) if we went out anywhere. I still use them now for all sorts of things – and at £6 for a pack of four, I've definitely got my money's worth. I bought four packs so I've always got some on hand and I have to say, it's been one of my better purchasing decisions. Buy them now – £6 for a pack of four We're Calling It – This Baby Name Trend Will Be Big News In 2025 Greige Is Over – 28 Outfits Perfect For Dopamine Dressing Your Kid So THAT's What Might Be Causing Your Baby's Cradle Cap Baby Poo Decoded: These Photos Show What's Normal (And What Really Isn't)
