Pollen Food Syndrome (also known as Oral Allergy Syndrome) is one of the most common — yet frequently misunderstood — food-related allergic conditions.

In this episode of Hope & Histamine, we unpack why people with hay fever or pollen allergy can experience itching, tingling, or swelling of the lips, mouth, and throat after eating certain fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

We explain:

• What Pollen Food Syndrome is and how it differs from true IgE-mediated food allergy
• The role of pollen–food cross-reactivity (birch, grass, and weed pollens)
• Common trigger foods and why symptoms often occur with raw but not cooked foods
• Typical symptoms, red flags, and when to seek specialist advice
• Practical, evidence-based tips for everyday management and reassurance for families

This episode is designed for patients, parents, and healthcare professionals, using clear language, real-world examples, and clinically accurate guidance to reduce anxiety and support informed decision-making.

Sources:

1. Al-Shaikhly, T. et al. (2024) ‘An International Delphi Consensus on the Management of Pollen-Food Allergy Syndrome: A Work Group Report of the AAAAI Adverse Reactions to Foods Committee’, The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, 12(12), pp. 3242–3249.
2. Edwards, S.E. and Halton, F.F. (n.d.) ‘Pollen food syndrome’, pp. 1–6.
3. Eigenmann, P. and Ebisawa, M. (2022) ‘Editorial comments on: “Food allergy in early childhood increases the risk of pollen food allergy syndrome”’, Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, [e-journal]. Available at: 10.1111/pai.13788.
4. Haidar, L. et al. (2025) ‘Pollen–Food Allergy Syndrome: Allergens, Clinical Insights, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges’, Applied Sciences, 15(1), 66.
5. Hamada, M. et al. (2025) ‘Evaluation of the incidence of systemic symptoms in PR-10-related pollen-food allergy syndrome in Western Japan’, Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 36, e70104.
6. Kim, M. et al. (2019) ‘Clinical Manifestations and Risk Factors of Anaphylaxis in Pollen–Food Allergy Syndrome’, Yonsei Medical Journal, 60(10), pp. 960–968.
7. Mastrorilli, C. et al. (2016) ‘Endotypes of pollen-food syndrome in children with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis: a molecular classification’, Allergy, 71, pp. 1181–1191.
8. Skypala, I.J. et al. (2022) ‘BSACI guideline for the diagnosis and management of pollen food syndrome in the UK’, Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 52(9), pp. 1018–1034.

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Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast and on this website is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition. Please don't ignore or delay seeking medical advice based on content from this podcast or website.

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Can babies eat blueberries as one of their first solid foods? When should blueberries be introduced during weaning and complementary feeding? Are blueberries safe, nutritious, and allergy-friendly for infants?

In this episode, we explore the role of blueberries as an early complementary food for babies starting solids. Drawing on evidence-based infant nutrition guidance, this episode breaks down when and how to introduce blueberries, their nutritional benefits (including fibre, antioxidants, and vitamins), and practical preparation tips to reduce the risk of choking.

We also discuss food allergy considerations, including why blueberries are considered a low-allergen food, how they fit into early dietary diversity, and what parents should watch for when introducing new foods.

Whether you’re starting solids at around 6 months, navigating first tastes, or supporting a child with eczema or food allergy risk, this episode offers calm, trustworthy, and practical advice to help families introduce foods with confidence.

🎙️ Listen now and learn how blueberries can be a simple, nutritious, and baby-friendly first food.

Sources:

1. Glime, G.N.E., Matzeller, K.L., Frank, D.N., Kotter, C., Kofonow, J.M., Robertson, C.E., Venter, C., Campbell, W.W., Krebs, N.F. and Tang, M. (2025) ‘Introducing blueberry powder as one of the first complementary foods changes the gut microbiota composition and diversity in U.S. human milk-fed infants: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial’, Frontiers in Nutrition, 12, p. 1623521. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1623521.
2. Venter, C., Boden, S., Pickett-Nairne, K., O’Mahony, L., Glime, G.N.E., Matzeller, K.L., Frank, D.N., Kotter, C., Kofonow, J.M., Robertson, C.E., Campbell, W.W., Krebs, N.F. and Tang, M. (2025) ‘Blueberry Consumption in Early Life and Its Effects on Allergy, Immune Biomarkers, and Their Association with the Gut Microbiome’, Nutrients, 17(17), p. 2795. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17172795.

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Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast and on this website is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition. Please don't ignore or delay seeking medical advice based on content from this podcast or website.

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Precautionary Allergen Labelling (PAL) — those familiar phrases like “may contain nuts” or “made in a factory that handles milk” — is meant to keep people with food allergies safe. But does it always help? Or can it create confusion and unnecessary fear?

In this episode, we unpack the world of precautionary allergen labels and what they really mean for families living with food allergies. We explore how PAL is regulated, why companies use it, and the challenges it brings for parents trying to make safe food choices for their children.

We also discuss:

• Why do different products use PAL inconsistently
• The real risk behind cross-contamination
• How parents and clinicians can interpret PAL more confidently
• The future of food allergen labelling and more transparent communication

Whether you’re a parent, healthcare professional, or someone living with allergies, this episode provides trusted, practical insights to help you make more informed decisions about the food on your plate.

Sources:

1. Dubois, A.E.J., Turner, P.J., Hourihane, J., Ballmer-Weber, B., Beyer, K., Chan, C.-H., Gowland, M.H., O’Hagan, S., Regent, L., Remington, B., Schnadt, S., Stroheker, T. and Crevel, R.W.R. (2018) ‘How does dose impact on the severity of food-induced allergic reactions, and can this improve risk assessment for allergenic foods? Report from an ILSI Europe Food Allergy Task Force Expert Group and Workshop’, Allergy, 00, pp. 1–10,.
2. DunnGalvin, et al. (2019) ‘Evidence‐based approaches to the application of precautionary allergen labelling: Report from two iFAAM workshops’, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 49, pp. 1191–1200,.
3. Graham, F., Benhamou, A.H., Liu, Y.J., Caubet, J.-C. and Eigenmann, P.A. (2023) ‘Real‐life evaluation of tolerance to foods with precautionary allergen labeling in children with IgE- mediated food allergy’, Allergy,,. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/all.15821.

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Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast and on this website is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition. Please don't ignore or delay seeking medical advice based on content from this podcast or website.

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Severe allergic reactions can happen anywhere, anytime — and every second counts. In this episode, we explore the exciting new development of adrenaline nasal spray (Neffy) as a potential needle-free treatment for anaphylaxis. Could this innovation improve how quickly lifesaving medication is delivered? Could it reduce hesitation, fear of injections, and treatment delays?

Join us as we break down:

• How adrenaline nasal spray works in the body
• Safety, ease of use, and real-world benefits
• Differences vs. traditional adrenaline auto-injectors (e.g., EpiPen)
• What this could mean for patients, carers, schools, and emergency responders
• The future of anaphylaxis management and allergy care

Whether you’re a clinician, parent, educator, or someone living with severe allergies, this episode helps you stay ahead of the latest advances in food allergy and anaphylaxis treatment — all in clear, accessible language.

You can listen now to discover how a simple nasal spray could become a lifesaving revolution in allergy emergencies.

Sources:

1. Chen, J., Chilampalli, et al. (2019). A Phase 1, Single-Dose, Open-Label, 5-Treatment, Crossover, Pharmacokinetic Study of Comparative Bioavailability of Epinephrine Nasal Spray and EpiPen® in Healthy Adults With Seasonal Allergies. J Allergy Clin Immunol, February 2019, AB144 Abstracts.
2. Crescioli, G., et al. (2025). Epinephrine nasal spray for the treatment of anaphylaxis: perspectives in pediatrics. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol, 25(6), pp. 511–517. doi: 10.1097/ACI.0000000000001109.
3. Dribin, T.E., et al. (2025). Intranasal epinephrine: The need to have confidence in efficacy. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2025.07.023.
4. Ellis, A.K., Casale, et al. (2024). Development of neffy, an Epinephrine Nasal Spray, for Severe Allergic Reactions. Pharmaceutics, 16(811). doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16060811.
5. FDA Approves First Epinephrine Nasal Spray (2024). AJN, 124(12), p. 16.
6. Fleischer, D.M., et al. (2025). Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of neffy, Epinephrine Nasal Spray, in Pediatric Allergy Patients. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract, 13(6), pp. 1335–1341. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2025.03.019.
7. Golden, D.B.K., Greenhawt, M. & Shaker, M.S. (2025). Prescribing nasal epinephrine spray: Confidence limits with novel treatments. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 156(614-5), pp. 614–615. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2025.06.008.
8. Greenhawt, M., et al. (2024). Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Profile of Epinephrine Nasal Spray Versus Intramuscular Epinephrine Autoinjector in Healthy Adults. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract, 12(12), pp. 3274–3282. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2024.10.006.
9. Treudler, R., et al. (2025). Adrenaline nasal spray in emergency management: An initial expert opinion. Allergologie select, 9, pp. 80–85. doi: 10.5414/ALX02590E.

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Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast and on this website is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition. Please don't ignore or delay seeking medical advice based on content from this podcast or website.

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Brought to you by - Goodlife Creations (2025).

Music by - Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay.

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are now a major part of children’s diets — colourful packaging, cartoon characters, and convenience make them hard to resist. But what are these foods really doing to young bodies and developing brains?

In this episode, we uncover the science behind UPFs and children’s health, including:

• How ultra-processed foods affect growth, metabolism, and immune health

• Links with obesity, diabetes, fatty liver disease & heart disease risk

• The impact on gut bacteria, behaviour, mood, and sleep

• Why kids become “hooked” on high-sugar, high-additive foods

• Practical tips for families to reduce UPFs without stress or guilt

• Realistic swaps for school lunches, snacks & busy evenings

Backed by evidence and expert insight, this episode empowers parents, carers, and healthcare professionals to make informed, child-focused nutrition choices — even in a world where UPFs are everywhere.

Sources:

1. Barbaresko, J., Bröder, J., Conrad, J., Szczerba, E., Lang, A. and Schlesinger, S. (2025) Ultra-processed food consumption and human health: an umbrella review of systematic reviews with meta-analyses. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 65(11), pp. 1999–2007. doi:10.1080/10408398.2024.2317877.
2. Gibney, M.J., Forde, C.G., Mullally, D. and Gibney, E.R. (2017) Ultra-processed foods in human health: a critical appraisal. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 106(—), pp. 717–24. doi:10.3945/ajcn.117.160440.
3. Levy, R.B., Barata, M.F., Leite, M.A. and Andrade, G.C. (2024) How and why ultra-processed foods harm human health. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 83(—), pp. 1–8. doi:10.1017/S0029665123003567.
4. Monteiro, C.A., Louzada, M.L.C., Steele-Martinez, E., Cannon, G., Andrade, G.C., Baker, P., Bes-Rastrollo, M., Bonaccio, M., Gearhardt, A.N., Khandpur, N., Kolby, M., Levy, R.B., Machado, P.P., Moubarac, J-C., Rezende, L.F.M., Rivera, J.A., Scrinis, G., Srour, B., Swinburn, B. and Touvier, M. (2025) Ultra-processed foods and human health: the main thesis and the evidence. The Lancet. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(25)01565-X.

🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and YouTube Podcasts.

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast and on this website is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition. Please don't ignore or delay seeking medical advice based on content from this podcast or website.

Buy me a coffee: https://coff.ee/goodlifecreations

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Brought to you by - Goodlife Creations (2025).

Music by - Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay.

Discover how ImmunoCAP ISAC multiplex allergen testing is reshaping the future of allergy diagnosis.

In this episode, we break down the science behind ISAC technology, how it identifies over 100 molecular allergen components in a single test, and why it’s transforming clinical decision-making for food allergy, respiratory allergy, venom allergy, and complex polysensitisation.

We explore:

• How ImmunoCAP ISAC works and what makes it unique
• When clinicians should consider multiplex molecular diagnostics
• The difference between whole-extract tests vs component-resolved approaches
• Real-world advantages: precision, phenotyping, cross-reactivity patterns & risk stratification
• Limitations, costs, and interpretive challenges every clinician should know
• Where ISAC fits within modern precision allergy medicine

Whether you’re a clinician, scientist, trainee, or someone curious about advanced allergy diagnostics, this episode explains the evidence, the applications, and the future direction of molecular allergy testing — all in clear, practical language.

Sources:

1. Diem et al. (2022) Real-life evaluation of molecular multiplex IgE test methods in the diagnosis of pollen-associated food allergy. Allergy, 77, pp. 3028–3040. DOI: 10.1111/all.15329.
2. Erskine et al. (2021) A Retrospective Clinical Audit of the ImmunoCAP ISAC 112 for Multiplex Allergen Testing. International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, 182, pp. 14–20. DOI: 10.1159/000509776.
3. Jensen-Jarolim et al. (2017) Debates in allergy medicine: Molecular allergy diagnosis with ISAC will replace screenings by skin prick test in the future. Debate Open Access [Online]. Available at: DOI: 10.1186/s40413-017-0162-3.
4. Maesa et al. (2021) ImmunoCAP ISAC in food allergy diagnosis: a systematic review of diagnostic test accuracy. Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 51, pp. 778–789. DOI: 10.1111/cea.13871.
5. Seyfarth et al. (2014) Diagnostic value of the ISAC allergy chip in detecting latex sensitizations. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 87, pp. 775–781. DOI: 10.1007/s00420-013-0921-6.

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Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast and on this website is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition. Please don't ignore or delay seeking medical advice based on content from this podcast or website.

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Brought to you by - Goodlife Creations (2025).

Music by - Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay.

In this episode, we dive deep into the Basophil Activation Test (BAT) — one of the most advanced tools in modern allergy diagnostics. Join us as we break down how BAT works, when to use it, and what the evidence really says about its accuracy in diagnosing IgE-mediated food allergy, drug allergy, and complex sensitisation patterns.

You’ll learn:

• How BAT compares with skin prick testing and specific IgE

• The clinical value of basophil activation markers such as CD63 and CD203c

• When BAT improves diagnostic confidence and reduces the need for oral food challenges

• Limitations, pitfalls, and real-world barriers to using BAT in paediatric and adult allergy practice

• Future trends and innovations in functional allergy testing

Whether you’re a clinician, researcher, or allergy enthusiast, this episode offers a clear, evidence-based look at a test that’s increasingly shaping the future of precision allergy diagnosis.

Sources:

1. Dreborg, S. (2017) Methodological cutoff of basophil activation test and basophil activation test diagnostic value. [Journal of publication not explicitly contained within the source]. (Correspondence) [382, 388].
2. Duan L., et al. (2021) Basophil activation test shows high accuracy in the diagnosis of peanut and tree nut allergy: The Markers of Nut Allergy Study. Allergy, 76, 1800–1812. doi:10.1111/all.14695. [47, 123].
3. Kim, S.Y., Kim, J.H., Jang, Y.S., Choi, J.H., Park, S., Hwang, Y.I., Jang, S.H. and Jung, K.S. (2016) The Basophil Activation Test Is Safe and Useful for Confirming Drug-Induced Anaphylaxis. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res, 8(6), 541–544. doi:10.4168/aair.2016.8.6.541. [399, 402].
4. Mayorga C., Çelik G.E., Pascal M., Hoffmann H.J., Eberlein B., Torres M.J., Brockow K., Garvey L.H., Barbaud A., Madrigal-Burgaleta R., Caubet J.C. and Ebo D.G. (2024) Flow- based basophil activation test in immediate drug hypersensitivity. An EAACI task force position paper. Allergy, 79, 580–600. doi:10.1111/all.15957. [226, 380].
5. Mayorga C., Ariza A., Barrionuevo E. and Salas M. (2017) Reply [to Dreborg]. [Journal of publication not explicitly contained within the source]. (Correspondence) [391].
6. Santos A.F., Alpan O. and Hoffmann H.J. (2021) Basophil activation test: Mechanisms and considerations for use in clinical trials and clinical practice. Allergy, 76, 2420–2432. doi:10.1111/all.14747. [127, 224].
7. Sturm G.J., Kranzelbinder B., Sturm E.M., Heinemann A., Groselj-Strele A. and Aberer W. (2009) The basophil activation test in the diagnosis of allergy: technical issues and critical factors. Allergy, 64, 1319–1326. doi:10.1111/j.1398-9995.2009.02004.x. [5, 6].

🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and YouTube Podcasts.

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast and on this website is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition. Please don't ignore or delay seeking medical advice based on content from this podcast or website.

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Brought to you by - Goodlife Creations (2025).

Music by - Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay.

How accurate are the tests we rely on to diagnose IgE-mediated food allergy? In this episode, we explore the science behind skin prick testing, serum-specific IgE, and oral food challenges, examining their sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and real-world limitations.

Join us as we separate evidence from assumption, discussing false positives, cross-reactivity, and component-resolved diagnostics—and how to interpret results in the context of clinical history.

Whether you’re a clinician, allergy trainee, or researcher, this episode will help you navigate the complex landscape of allergy diagnostics with clarity and confidence.

Source:

• Riggioni, C., Ricci, C., Moya, B., Wong, D., van Goor, E., Bartha, I., Buyuktiryaki, B., Giovannini, M., Jayasinghe, S., Jaumdally, H., Marques-Mejias, A., Piletta-Zanin, A., Berbenyuk, A., Andreeva, M., Levina, D., Iakovleva, E., Roberts, G., Chu, D., Peters, R., du Toit, G., Skypala, I. and Santos, A.F. (2024) 'Systematic review and meta- analyses on the accuracy of diagnostic tests for IgE- mediated food allergy', Allergy, 79, pp. 324-352. DOI: 10.1111/all.15939.

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast and on this website is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition. Please don't ignore or delay seeking medical advice based on content from this podcast or website.

Buy me a coffee: https://coff.ee/goodlifecreations

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Brought to you by - Goodlife Creations (2025).

Music by - Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay.