Countryfile: Joe Crowley attempts to catch flies in 2019
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Before Countryfile, Joe Crowley worked on the BBC’s Inside Out programme – a show that focused on stories from local areas. During his time on the show he discovered he was allergic to animals. In a Q&A with the BBC, he was asked what the most difficult part of his job was.
He replied: “Probably my new found animal allergies!
“I’m really not sure where they’ve come from, I certainly didn’t have any allergies when I was a kid but suddenly I’m sneezing left, right and centre around horses and cats.
“And the funny thing is that I didn’t know much about it until I worked on a Inside Out story about Wickham Horse Fair.”
He continued: “We started just after 4am and I was OK at first but by the time all the horses were out in force, I was streaming like Halle Berry on Oscar night.
“And then, of course, it started pouring with rain so it certainly felt like a very long day!”
Allergies
Allergic reactions usually happen quickly within a few minutes of exposure to an allergen, according to the NHS.
They can cause the following symptoms:
- sneezing
- a runny or blocked nose
- red, itchy, watery eyes
- wheezing and coughing
- a red, itchy rash
- worsening of asthma or eczema symptoms
Most allergic reactions are mild, but occasionally a severe reaction called anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock can occur.
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency and needs urgent treatment.
Symptoms include:
- feeling lightheaded or faint
- breathing difficulties – such as fast, shallow breathing
- wheezing
- a fast heartbeat
- clammy skin
- confusion and anxiety
- collapsing or losing consciousness
An itchy, raised rash (hives), feeling or being sick, swelling or stomach pain may also occur.
The NHS advises if someone has anaphylaxis to:
1. Use an adrenaline auto-injector if the person has one – but make sure you know how to use it correctly first.
2. Call 999 for an ambulance immediately (even if they start to feel better) – mention that you think the person has anaphylaxis.
3. Remove any trigger if possible – for example, carefully remove any stinger stuck in the skin.
4. Lie the person down flat – unless they’re unconscious, pregnant or having breathing difficulties.
5. Give another injection after 5 to 15 minutes if the symptoms do not improve and a second auto-injector is available.
But common anaphylaxis triggers tend to include:
- foods – including nuts, milk, fish, shellfish, eggs and some fruits
- medicines – including some antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin
- insect stings – particularly wasp and bee stings
- general anaesthetic
- contrast agents – dyes used in some medical tests to help certain areas of your body show up better on scans
- latex – a type of rubber found in some rubber gloves and condoms
To manage an allergy, there are severe medicines available to help control symptoms:
- antihistamines – these can be taken when you notice the symptoms of a reaction, or before being exposed to an allergen, to stop a reaction occurring
- decongestants – tablets, capsules, nasal sprays or liquids that can be used as a short-term treatment for a blocked nose
- lotions and creams, such as moisturising creams (emollients) – these can reduce skin redness and itchiness
- steroid medicines – sprays, drops, creams, inhalers and tablets that can help reduce redness and swelling caused by an allergic reaction
A GP can help determine whether it’s likely you have an allergy.
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