THE recent cases of two young girls allergic to peanuts, who both tragically died after consuming foodstuffs they believed did not contain the product, illustrates the potentially deadly nature of a food allergy. For children with a severe allergy and their parents, any meal choice can be akin to playing Russian roulette, with endless scouring of labels on the back of food items.

Sometimes common pastimes, often take for granted, such as dinner out, or attending a birthday party, are simply too risky even to contemplate.

However results from a recent study carried out in Europe and the US, with some participants in London, demonstrated that children with severe allergy to peanuts could be desensitised over a period.

At the start of the trial, these children were unable to tolerate even one tenth of a peanut. Yet by gradually increasing their exposure to peanut protein, two thirds were able to manage up to two whole peanuts by the end of the study.

While this may not sound a lot, peanuts and their traces are literally everywhere, often in products you might not even have thought of.

Furthermore, a product that claims not to contain peanut may still have residues if processed in the same place as peanut containing products. So for a child successfully desensitised, who accidentally eats something with peanut in it, it could be the difference between life and death.

Diagnoses of peanut allergy have doubled in the last 20 years, with an estimated 100,000 children affected in the UK.

Unlike some other allergies, for example cow’s milk protein allergy, many sufferers will not grow out of it, with any risk of a reaction being lifelong.

An allergic reaction is different from an intolerance, in that although the side effects of an intolerance can be quite unpleasant, there is no risk to life.

In an allergic reaction, the immune system is activated and a chemical called histamine is released. Features include a nettle-rash type skin reaction, with tingling lips and an itchy throat.

At its worst the person’s airway swells to the point where they cannot breathe with a drastic drop in blood pressure and collapse. This is known as anaphylactic shock and is a medical emergency.

If you feel you or your child may have a food allergy, it is important for you to discuss this with your routine GP, who will likely refer you to a specialist as appropriate.

Testing for allergies involves skin prick tests with the presumed allergen. I would avoid any home testing kits as none are currently approved, and indeed may produce misleading results.

As well as advice on avoiding the substance that precipitates your allergy, you may find that antihistamines help with some of the milder side effects.

Make sure you and those around you know how to use your adrenaline pen in case of a severe reaction.

Always carry both your pens, because if the first does not work within five minutes the second will need to be given.

They are no use at all if they are anywhere but with you.