Dr. Andrew Bright is a consultant paediatrician specialising in paediatric allergy in North East England.
He provides expert and personalised private medical care of infants, children, and young people with a range of allergic and atopic conditions. He has an special interest in cow's milk protein allergy in infants and related skin and gut issues.
A food allergy consultation typically involves the taking of an allergy focused history to explore food(s) of concern and an overall dietary history with respect to other commonly allergenic foods. Exploration of other relevant information, such as medical history (e.g. asthma, eczema, hay fever), family history, regular medications, general health and wellbeing will be undertaken.
The consultation is complimented by a physical examination and allergy testing, the most commonly of which: skin prick testing can be performed on the day with immediate results being available. In some instances, allergy blood tests may be required.
Once allergies have been identified and confirmed, appropriate advice on allergen avoidance will be provided. A Personalised Allergy Action Plan will then be created. This is a detailed document outlining allergens to be avoided and emergency medical treatments, which will be prescribed and can be used if there any accidental allergic reactions in future. All allergy plans can then be shared with the general practitioner and education settings as appropriate. Tailored training in how to administer adrenaline with an auto-injector pen with be provided if this is deemed clinically necessary.
A typical rhino-conjunctivitis consultation again involves a thorough allergy-focused history to explore potential airborne allergic triggers (e.g. pollens, dust, moulds and animal hair), along with review of other associated atopic conditions such as asthma, eczema and food allergies.
Following a targeted physical examination and allergy testing, initiation or optimisation of medical treatments such as oral antihistamine, nasal steroid/antihistamine sprays and antihistamine eye drops can be considered. Specific training in correct nasal spray administration technique will also be delivered should this medicine be required.
This is a validated and highly sensitive way of diagnosing allergies. Droplets of solutions containing the allergen protein are placed on the forearm, and pricked through into the top layer of the skin with a small lancet. This procedure is not painful and a positive reaction is identified as a small itchy raised lump called a 'wheal' or 'hive’.
A full range of common food and airborne allergens are available for testing in clinic. The testing takes around 15 minutes to complete so results can therefore be available during the consultation.
To be able to undertake skin testing your child must have stopped taking antihistamine medicines for at least 3-days prior to the procedure.
These blood tests measure the amount of IgE (allergy) antibodies in your blood. IgE antibodies are produced when your body reacts to substances that you might be allergic to, such as specific foods and airborne allergens.
A variety of methods are available for allergen-specific IgE tests. The traditional RAST (radio-allergosorbent test) has been replaced with a newer IgE–specific immunoassay method.
Allergy blood tests may be performed if skin testing is not possible due to recent antihistamine use.
Personalised allergy management plans are designed to advise how to effectively alleviation of symptoms during an allergic reaction with medications and also provide appropriate instruction for seeking medical attention.
Dr. Bright is a trusted paediatric allergist with a broad experience of managing thousands of children with allergic conditions in North East England. His primary concern is to ensure the best care and outcomes for your child's allergies.
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