A University of Leicester research project is now to look at the views and experiences of children and their families living with nut allergy, which accounts for the majority of severe food-related allergic reactions one of which is a peanut allergy, the most common food trigger of anaphylaxis which currently affects around 1 per cent of children.

Funded by MAARA (Midlands Asthma and Allergy Research Association), Dr Emma Pitchforth, of the University’s Department of Health Sciences, is carrying out a qualitative study involving interviews with children and their parents which will be audio-recorded (with permission) and the resulting transcriptions will help the researchers to identify recurring themes and in order to remain ethical, all data is anonymous and confidential.

The two-year research project is being carried out with colleagues Dr David Luyt and Dr Emilia Wawrzkowicz, consultant paediatricians involved in the management of childhood allergies and from these investigations, the team hope to understand better the impact on family and everyday life of living with these allergies and sources of information available and the different strategies families use to cope.

Dr Pitchforth commented: “First allergic reactions to nuts usually develop in children at a young age and do not resolve as they get older. This means that, for those affected, nut allergy is a permanent, potentially life-threatening condition.

“Clinical management of nut allergy typically involves educating children and their families to avoid all products containing nuts and they need to learn to recognise early signs of allergic reaction and to administer self-injectable epinephrine when they need to. Although the number of deaths resulting from nut allergy is extremely low, it is still a risk and patients are told to avoid all types of nuts and their traces, and to carry an ‘Epi-pen’ at all times, in case they suffer an anaphylactic shock.”