Penicillin Allergy in Children: Myths, Diagnosis, Delabelling, and Safe Antibiotic Choices

Eosinophilic Oesophagitis (EoE) Explained: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Modern Treatment Strategies

In this episode of Hope & Histamine: The Paediatric Allergy Podcast, we explore Eosinophilic Oesophagitis, or EoE— an increasingly recognised allergic inflammatory condition of the oesophagus that can affect feeding, swallowing, growth, and quality of life in children and young people. We break down the pathophysiology of EoE, including the role of food allergens, type 2 inflammation, eosinophils, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune signalling pathways. The episode also covers how EoE presents in different age groups, from feeding difficulties and reflux-like symptoms in younger children to dysphagia, food impaction, and avoidance behaviours in older children and adolescents. We discuss the key steps in diagnosing Eosinophilic Oesophagitis, including clinical suspicion, endoscopy, oesophageal biopsies, histological criteria, and the importance of excluding other causes of oesophageal eosinophilia. The episode then moves into practical treatment strategies, including proton pump inhibitors, swallowed topical steroids, dietary elimination approaches, multidisciplinary care, monitoring response, and emerging therapies such as biologics. This episode is ideal for paediatricians, allergy clinicians, gastroenterologists, nurses, dietitians, trainees, and parents who want a clear, practical, and evidence-informed overview of EoE in children. Sources: 1. Dhar, A., Haboubi, H.N., Attwood, S.E. et al. (2022) 'British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) and British Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (BSPGHAN) joint consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of eosinophilic oesophagitis in children and adults', Gut, 71, pp. 1459–1487. 2. Mahon, M., Muir, A.B. and Lynch, K. (2026) 'Eosinophilic oesophagitis: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment', BMJ Medicine, 5, p. e001459. 🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube 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 [https://coff.ee/goodlifecreations] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2509328/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2509328/support] Brought to you by - Goodlife Creations (2026).  Music by - Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay.

Bee and Wasp Sting Allergy in Children: Diagnosis, Risk Assessment and Management of Hymenoptera Venom Allergy

In this episode of Hope & Histamine: The Paediatric Allergy Podcast, we explore the diagnosis and management of Hymenoptera venom allergy in children, including allergic reactions to bee, wasp and other insect stings. We discuss how to distinguish between normal local reactions, large local reactions and systemic allergic reactions, and when a child should be referred for specialist allergy assessment. The episode covers key aspects of diagnosis, including clinical history, venom-specific IgE testing, skin testing and risk assessment. We also look at the acute management of sting-related allergic reactions, including the role of adrenaline auto-injectors, emergency action plans and education for families and schools. Finally, we explore long-term management, including venom immunotherapy, who may benefit from it, and how it can reduce the risk of future severe reactions. This episode is designed for parents, healthcare professionals and anyone supporting children with insect sting allergy, offering practical, evidence-informed guidance on recognising risk, improving safety and supporting confident long-term care. Sources: 1. Biló, B.M., Rueff, F., Mosbech, H., Bonifazi, F., Oude-Elberink, J.N.G. and the EAACI Interest Group on Insect Venom Hypersensitivity (2005) 'Diagnosis of Hymenoptera venom allergy', Allergy, 60, pp. 1339–1349. 2. Bonifazi, F., Jutel, M., Biló, B.M., Birnbaum, J., Muller, U. and the EAACI Interest Group on Insect Venom Hypersensitivity (2005) 'Prevention and treatment of hymenoptera venom allergy: guidelines for clinical practice', Allergy, 60, pp. 1459–1470. 3. Dhami, S., Zaman, H., Varga, E.M., Sturm, G.J., Muraro, A., Akdis, C.A., Antolín-Amérigo, D., Biló, M.B., Bokanovic, D., Calderon, M.A., Cichocka-Jarosz, E., Oude Elberink, J.N.G., Gawlik, R., Jakob, T., Kosnik, M., Lange, J., Mingomataj, E., Mitsias, D.I., Mosbech, H., Ollert, M., Pfaar, O., Pitsios, C., Pravettoni, V., Roberts, G., Ruëff, F., Sin, B.A., Asaria, M., Netuveli, G. and Sheikh, A. (2017) 'Allergen immunotherapy for insect venom allergy: a systematic review and meta-analysis', Allergy, 72, pp. 342–365. 4. Krishna, M.T., Ewan, P.W., Diwakar, L., Durham, S.R., Frew, A.J., Leech, S.C. and Nasser, S.M. (2011) 'Diagnosis and management of hymenoptera venom allergy: British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) guidelines', Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 41, pp. 1201–1220. 5. Sturm, G.J., Varga, E.M., Roberts, G., Mosbech, H., Biló, M.B., Akdis, C.A., Antolín-Amérigo, D., Cichocka-Jarosz, E., Gawlik, R., Jakob, T., Kosnik, M., Lange, J., Mingomataj, E., Mitsias, D.I., Ollert, M., Oude Elberink, J.N.G., Pfaar, O., Pitsios, C., Pravettoni, V., Ruëff, F., Sin, B.A., Agache, I., Angier, E., Arasi, S., Calderón, M.A., Fernandez-Rivas, M., Halken, S., Jutel, M., Lau, S., Pajno, G.B., van Ree, R., Ryan, D., Spranger, O., van Wijk, R.G., Dhami, S., Zaman, H., Sheikh, A. and Muraro, A. (2018) 'EAACI guidelines on allergen immunotherapy: Hymenoptera venom allergy', Allergy, 73, pp. 744–764. 🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube 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 [https://coff.ee/goodlifecreations] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2509328/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2509328/support] Brought to you by - Goodlife Creations (2026).  Music by - Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay.

Food Allergy Anxiety: The Hidden Impact on Children, Parents and Everyday Life

Food allergies are often seen as a medical condition centred around avoidance, emergency plans and adrenaline auto-injectors — but the impact goes far beyond the plate. In this episode of Hope & Histamine: The Paediatric Allergy Podcast, we explore how food allergies affect children’s emotional wellbeing, family life, school experiences, social confidence and overall quality of life. We discuss the anxiety, fear and daily uncertainty that many children and parents live with, from checking food labels and managing birthday parties to navigating school meals, travel, eating out and the risk of accidental reactions. This episode also looks at the emotional burden on parents and carers, including hypervigilance, guilt, sleep disruption, family stress and the challenge of helping children feel safe without feeling restricted. Whether you are a parent, clinician, teacher, or someone living with a food allergy, this episode highlights why food allergy care must include psychological support, practical coping strategies, and compassionate conversations about quality of life. Sources: 1. Knibb, R.C. and Semper, 2013. Impact of suspected food allergy on emotional distress and family life. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 24, pp. 798–803. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/pai.12176. (Note: The initial for the co-author Semper is not listed in the provided text). 2. Knibb, R.C., Jones, C.J., Herbert, L.J. and Screti, C., 2024. Psychological support needs for children with food allergy and their families: A systematic review. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 35, p. e14108. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/pai.14108. 3. Knibb, R.C., Howell, C., Whitehouse, A. and Peterson, C.C., 2025. The role of food allergy‐related worry and self‐efficacy in explaining quality of life in caregivers of children. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 36, p. e70248. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/pai.70248. 🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube 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 [https://coff.ee/goodlifecreations] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2509328/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2509328/support] Brought to you by - Goodlife Creations (2026).  Music by - Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay.

Ibuprofen Allergy or NSAID Hypersensitivity in Children? Diagnosis and Management Guide

NSAID hypersensitivity in children can be challenging to recognise, diagnose, and manage safely. In this episode of Hope & Histamine: The Paediatric Allergy Podcast, we explore paediatric NSAID hypersensitivity, including reactions to commonly used medicines such as ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. We discuss the different types of NSAID reactions, how to distinguish true hypersensitivity from other adverse effects, and the importance of a careful clinical history. The episode also covers diagnostic approaches, the role of drug provocation testing, cross-reactive versus selective NSAID reactions, and practical management strategies for children who need safe pain relief or fever treatment. This episode is aimed at clinicians, trainees, healthcare professionals, and interested parents who want a clearer understanding of NSAID allergy and hypersensitivity in children. Listen to learn about: * How NSAID hypersensitivity presents in children * The difference between NSAID allergy, intolerance, and adverse drug reactions * Ibuprofen-related reactions and when to suspect hypersensitivity * Cross-reactive and selective NSAID hypersensitivity * Diagnostic pathways and the role of supervised drug challenges * Safe alternatives and practical management advice A practical, evidence-informed discussion to help improve confidence in recognising and managing NSAID hypersensitivity in paediatric practice. Sources:  1. Cousin, M., Chiriac, A., Molinari, N., Demoly, P. and Caimmi, D. (2016) 'Phenotypical characterization of children with hypersensitivity reactions to NSAIDs', Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 27, pp. 743-748. 2. Guvenir, H., Misirlioglu, E.D., Capanoglu, M., Buyuktiryaki, B., Onay, Z.R., Ginis, T., Toyran, M., Civelek, E. and Kocabas, C.N. (2018) 'The Frequency of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Hypersensitivity in Children with Asthma', International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, 176(1), pp. 26-32. 3. Kidon, M., Blanca-Lopez, N., Gomes, E., Terreehorst, I., Tanno, L., Ponvert, C., Chin, C.W., Caubet, J.C., Soyer, O., Mori, F., Blanca, M. and Atanaskovic-Markovic, M. (2018) 'EAACI/ENDA Position Paper: Diagnosis and management of hypersensitivity reactions to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in children and adolescents', Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 29, pp. 469-480. 4. Mori, F., Atanaskovic-Markovic, M., Blanca-Lopez, N., Gomes, E., Gaeta, F., Sarti, L., Bergmann, M.M., Tmusic, V., Valluzzi, R.L. and Caubet, J.C. (2020) 'A Multicenter Retrospective Study on Hypersensitivity Reactions to Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) in Children: A Report from the European Network on Drug Allergy (ENDA) Group', The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, 8(3), pp. 1022-1031. 🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube 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 [https://coff.ee/goodlifecreations] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2509328/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2509328/support] Brought to you by - Goodlife Creations (2026).  Music by - Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay.

Penicillin Allergy in Children: Myths, Diagnosis, Delabelling, and Safe Antibiotic Choices

Penicillin allergy is one of the most commonly reported drug allergies in children — but many children labelled as “penicillin allergic” are not truly allergic. In this episode, we explore why penicillin allergy labels matter, how they can affect antibiotic choices, and why accurate assessment is so important for safer, better care. We discuss the difference between true allergic reactions and common childhood rashes, the key features clinicians look for in the history, and when referral or allergy testing may be needed. The episode also looks at penicillin allergy “delabelling” — the process of safely removing an inaccurate allergy label — and how this can help children access first-line antibiotics, reduce unnecessary use of broad-spectrum alternatives, and support antimicrobial stewardship. This episode is ideal for parents, healthcare professionals, medical trainees, nurses, pharmacists, and anyone interested in paediatric allergy and safe antibiotic prescribing. Listen now to understand penicillin allergy in children, how it is diagnosed, and why many allergy labels deserve a second look. Sources: 1. Barbaud, A., Garvey, L.H., Torres, M., Laguna, J.J., Arcolaci, A., Bonadonna, P., Hofmeier, K.S., Chiriac, A.M., Cernadas, J., Caubet, J.C. and Brockow, K. (2024) 'EAACI/ENDA position paper on drug provocation testing', Allergy, 79, pp. 565-579. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/all.15996. 2. Romano, A., Atanaskovic-Markovic, M., Barbaud, A., Bircher, A.J., Brockow, K., Caubet, J.C., Celik, G., Cernadas, J., Chiriac, A.M., Demoly, P., Garvey, L.H., Mayorga, C., Nakonechna, A., Whitaker, P. and Torres, M.J. (2020) 'Towards a more precise diagnosis of hypersensitivity to beta-lactams – an EAACI position paper', Allergy, 75, pp. 1300-1315. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/all.14122. 3. Zambonino, M.A., Corzo, J.L., Muñoz, C., Requena, G., Ariza, A., Mayorga, C., Urda, A., Blanca, M. and Torres, M.J. (2014) 'Diagnostic evaluation of hypersensitivity reactions to beta-lactam antibiotics in a large population of children', Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 25, pp. 80-87. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/pai.12155. 🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube 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 [https://coff.ee/goodlifecreations] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2509328/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2509328/support] Brought to you by - Goodlife Creations (2026).  Music by - Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay.