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Anxiety: are we scaring our kids?

A decade ago, food allergy hadn’t reached the public’s radar. Terms such as “life-threatening”, “deadly” and “fatal” were used to get people to take food allergies seriously. But have we gone too far focussing on the “death” part of severe allergic reactions and scared a new generation of parents and their children? Inga Stünzner investigates.

It started with a sneeze

Hay fever is probably the least glamorous of the allergic diseases, but sadly, in this case lack of glamour does not equate with low prevalence. Recent studies from all over the world reveal that it’s high on the list of most common chronic diseases. Perhaps because it is so common, many sufferers either ignore it and suffer, or ignore it until it develops into something more complicated.

Down the garden path

Low-allergy gardens boring? That’s history! Thanks to increased international interest in what exactly it is about plants that can cause problems and the availability of helpful lists of what and what not to plant, you can now enjoy bright, beautiful gardens without itching, sneezing, or wheezing.

What are you rubbing into your skin?

Most of us probably reach for at least seven different cosmetic products a day without much thought: shampoos, conditioners, toners, moisturisers, deodorant, perfume, lipstick - and that’s just the start. And although each of these products is packed with chemicals and “natural” products that don’t always have to be identified on the label, these labelling requirements are about to change. But you will still need to be cautious, especially in regard to advertising claims such as “hypoallergenic”.

And much, much more.