Allergies
Ensuring measures are in place to reduce the risk of allergies within the University community.
Introduction
Allergies are chronic conditions involving an abnormal reaction to an ordinarily harmless substance called an allergen. These can include air borne allergens such as dust mite, mould and grass pollen, as well as food allergens such as milk, egg, soy, wheat, or nuts.
Signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction are:
- Itching in the nose, roof of the mouth, throat and eyes
- Sneezing
- Runny nose and eyes
- Dark circles around the eyes
- Anaphylaxis
Allergies at the University
In order to reduce the risk of an allergic response and to treat anaphylaxis, the Health, Safety and Compliance Team provides and facilitates:
- Training in the use of adrenaline auto-injectors to treat anaphylaxis
- Open access Automatic External Defibrillators
- Assistance with the preparation of risk assessments
- Advice to departments on the provision of PPE and apparatus that are latex free
- Advice on animal allergens
- Advice on the identification and control of moulds
Staff with allergy problems that affect their work, or their work affects their allergy, can request a management referral to Occupational Health for further advice.
Types of Allergies
Natural rubber latex (NRL) is an integral part of thousands of everyday consumer and healthcare items. As with many other natural products, latex contains proteins to which some people develop an allergy.
Natural rubber latex proteins have the potential to cause asthma and dermatitis. More serious allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis are also possible.
The proteins naturally present in NRL cause the allergies either through direct contact with the skin, or by inhalation of latex particles, such as the powder from powdered latex gloves.
Food allergies and intolerances are life changing, affecting approximately 8% of children and 2% of adults in the UK. Laws were passed in 2014 on how allergen information is provided by food businesses, making it easier to identify allergens when buying food products.
Food allergies may present with vomiting, diarrhoea, respiratory symptoms, or anaphylaxis immediately after ingestion of the allergen.
The protein from the body oils, saliva or urine of an animal can cause an allergic reaction that attacks the eyes and the airways, which can result in asthmatic symptoms and rhinitis. It may also cause atopic dermatitis (eczema) or a nettle rash. In rare cases, animal allergens can also cause anaphylaxis.