New chat forum provides vital support to nut-allergy sufferers

A new web-based forum for those living with nut allergies has launched this month - and is already proving popular with sufferers all around the country.

The site boasts a number of sections where members can post queries, offer tips and discuss various issues - from safe foods and recipes, to reactions, 'near misses' and topical news about allergy research.

It's designed both for adult sufferers and for parents of children whose lives are blighted by this life-threatening condition, he says.

Peanut Allergy UK (www.peanutallergyuk.co.uk) is the brainchild of medical student and peanut-allergy sufferer Alexis Manning, who wants the non-profit forum to be an information resource and support centre.

Alexis explains "There are only a handful of allergy specialists working in the NHS, so many people have difficulty getting information on how to deal with peanut allergy. Although there are other forums for this problem, they are primarily aimed at Americans. Obviously, with differences in food manufacturing and labelling, the advice on these forums isn't always safe or reliable for British sufferers. Peanut Allergy UK is different."

Angela Russell, founder and director of It's Nut Free, a nut-free food manufacturer, welcomes the move. "A forum such as Peanut Allergy UK is long overdue - and is already popular with our customers. My own daughter, who is also a sufferer, has picked up several great tips already."

Author Alex Gazzola believes that it will provide a vital support network for allergic people: "I know from having spoken to food allergy sufferers in the past - especially those living in remote corners of the country - that many feel isolated, frustrated and don't always know who to turn to for questions about their condition. For them, Peanut Allergy UK will be a Godsend."