From hot cross buns to chocolate eggs and special Sunday roasts, for many families the food is a major highlight of Easter celebrations. However, this can quickly turn into a deadly endeavour for some as one nurse pointed out.

Milk, one of the most common ingredientsinEaster egg hunts, is also one of the most common food allergies among babies and toddlers in the UK. The thousands of children with egg, nut and wheat allergies may be facing similar problems this Easter.

Hannah Kramer, a clinical nurse specialist at theAllergy Centre of Excellence, urged parents to learn the warning signs, and differences, between anaphylaxis and an allergic reaction. One of which can quickly become life-threatening with an ‘impending sense of doom’ while the other can escalate over a matter of hours.

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The expert shared: “When someone has an immediate food allergy, the reaction typically begins within seconds or minutes of exposure to the food, and within a two-hour window from there. These symptoms would be treated with a dose of antihistamine.”

A mild or ‘typical’ allergic reaction that is usually treated with antihistamines may include symptoms like:

• Itching in or around the mouth


• Facial swelling


• Sneezing or suddenly runny nose


• Skin rashes


• Nausea


• Vomiting


• Itchy hives appearing

According to the NHS, anaphylaxis is a 'life-threatening allergic reaction' that can develop within minutes of coming into contact with the item you're allergic too. Cases of typical allergic reactions may also progress into anaphylaxis.

Hannah said: “Many people think that anaphylaxis is dramatic and obvious, which of course it can be, but not always. Interestingly, people having anaphylaxis often describe ‘an impending sense of doom’, a sense of panic and fear in response to their physical bodily symptoms.

“The important thing is that anaphylaxis can begin with quite subtle symptoms, such as, for example, that tickly cough that isn’t going away and wasn’t there before. “

The nurse shared a simple way to tell if someone is suffering from anaphylaxis is to check their ‘ABC’s:

• A - Airway


• B - Breathing


• C - Circulation

Anaphylaxis affects the airway by swelling or tightening the tongue and throat which can result in a hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing or feeling like you have a constant tickle in your throat. Children may present with a persistent throat-clearing cough as they try to deal with this symptom.

Breathing faster, harder or more strained than usual is also a key sign. When anaphylaxis occurs, the person’s blood pressure can drop suddenly leaving them pale, drowsy, dizzy, confused or even make them fall unconscious.

She urged: “Any one of these symptoms alone is reason enough to use adrenaline (either via injection into the thigh, or with a nasal adrenaline spray).”

“The most important thing we can teach our families is that if in doubt about what to do, and you think the person is showing any one of the symptoms we just mentioned, give adrenaline.

“It is a very safe medication that wears off within minutes, no harm will be done if you’re wrong. But the longer you wait to give adrenaline, the worse and more dangerous the outcomes could be.”