Q&A with Dr Andrew Clark, consultant in paediatric allergy, who is leading the world's largest peanut allergy study

[GeraldineMumsnet]

Dr Andrew Clark is a consultant in paediatric allergy at Addenbrookes NHS Foundation Trust and he has been in the news because he's leading a £1 million NHS-sponsored study into peanut allergy.

We're very pleased that Dr Clark, whose other research and clinical projects focus on improving the care of children with food allergy, has agreed to answer your questions about children's food allergies.

We'll send over the questions on this thread to Dr Clark on 24 April and put up his answers during the first week of May.

Thanks to Dr Clark, and TIA for your questions.

[CatherineHMumsnet]

I've seen the feature and it's almost ready - it will definitely be up tomorrow morning.

[LoveBeingAHungParliament]

I hope not also although I have just eaten dd's mouldy banana

[Cornishsmartie]

Just came looking for answers, have the replies been published yet?

[Cornishsmartie]

AH, it's gone midnight, looks like they will be on here tomorrow.

[LoveBeingAHungParliament]

[CatherineMumsnet]

Morning all, here are Dr Clark's answers. Sorry for delay.

[LaDiDaDi]

Thanks very much Dr Clarke .

[LoveBeingAHungParliament]

Thanks

[tatt]

very interesting, although rather depressing that it isn't likely to spread for years.

Odd that although we know of one child who lost their tree nut allergy alongside their peanut allergy but he didn't mention it.

[BlueBumedFly]

Tatt - from his part that is patient confidentiality, what I choose to share is different.

[beggsie]

Thanks Dr Clarke - your time and sharing of your expertise is much appreciated.

beggsie

[Chandra]

Thanks, more so for taking the time answering so many questions, it must have taken a considerable amount of time.

[tatt]

BBF - if he named your child yes it would be a breach but if there is one there are likely to be others. So saying something like "we have on one occasion/occasionally/sometimes seen skin prick wheals for another/other allergies reduce during treatment (or tolerance thresholds for another allergy increase during treatment)" shouldn't breach patient confidentiality. He shouldn't name the type of allergy but don't see why he can't make a guarded reference. Perhaps he was just worried about how reporters can blow these things up.

Was also surprised that he did talk about a "cure" rather than a treatment. That seems premature to me. We all hope it will be but there are unanswered questions about whether the children lose tolerance if they stop eating the nuts.

He says many times that the initial amount required for sensitisation is very small, don't know where that is from but makes it virtually impossible to do anything about avoiding it.

While saying they had never seen the speed of response matter he did confirm piriton is not the fastest anti-histamine. Maybe the campaign for piriton in sachets should be addressed to other drug companies too. Next time we buy antihistamine I may get a different one.

[MumOfTwoToo]

Thank you very much Dr Clark for giving so much time to answer the Mumsnet questions. Although I did not ask a question myself it was great to have so much information and have answers to so many of the concerns of the parents of all allergic children.

[lukewarmcupoftea]

Thank you Dr Clarke - just read the Q&A and it was extremely informative. Still depressing that so little is known about allergies, but good to know you and your team are on the case!

[ClaireOB]

Thanks indeed to Dr Clark, I have forwarded the link to his answers to lots of friends. And, for anybody who hasn't already done so, this No. 10 petition for better NHS allergy provision will be open until 03 June - petitions.number10.gov.uk/AllergyServices/

[ronshar]

Thank you very much for your answers Dr Clark.
I shall have to spend some time going through the different links as well.

[VenusdeMedici]

Dr Clark, I appreciate you have answered many people's questions, however, unfortunately, for some reason you didn't answer my question. I'm therefore still confused and worried about what I should do, and was really looking forward to your advice.

[CantSleepWontSleep]

Thank you for your answer Dr Clark. I shall follow up with my hv in a few weeks (will see her then as I'll have a new baby) and try to get her to persuade the GP to give us a referral. She was instrumental in convincing him to refer my dd for her milk protein intolerance, so we can hope for the same success again!

[Mobilemandy]

Dr Clark

My 6 year old son is anaphalactic to egg, cats and horses. He has bad allergic reactions to dogs tree pollen and dust mite. Please could you advise me if I can join him on any desensitization programs. I would love to desensitize him to egg and dogs specifically as his quality of life would drastically increase. I have been told that his allergy to egg is too strong for him to gain any treatment but I am concerned that this may be an NHS opinion due to funding. I would also like to investigate any programs in the private sector.

I would be very grateful for any advice.

Regards

Amanda Powell

[CantSleepWontSleep]

mobilemandy - you're a month late with your question!

[misdee]

CSWS, just read through that q+a, and see your ds had a reaction. dd4 is under dr hall at lister, who tested her for allergies and gave her an epipen.