Each year the number of allergy sufferers increases by five per cent - half of which are children.
As modern medicine continues to understand food allergies and intolerances, the numbers of reported cases have also seen an increase.
Most food allergies begin in infancy, and as any parent of a child affected will attest to, in addition to the anxiety and concern over your child's wellbeing, a large amount of effort goes in to ensuring their allergy is managed.
It can also be very costly.
Now Croydon Comissioning Clinical Group have decided to STOP providing specialised formula on prescription, along with other previously prescribed products like gluten free foods.
It is a decision which, if it goes ahead, will place an additional and not-inconsiderate financial burden on households affected.
The proposals have been put forward because our NHS is under-funded and having to meet increasing demands.
However, these changes will adversely affect families who rely on the prescriptions.
It's an emotive subject for parents whose babies have been diagnosed with cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA).
Two of the formula milks available are expensive, with Nutramigen costing £19 per tin and Neocate £46 per tin.
Dairy Free Baby and Me was set up by a mum who has had first hand experience of children with CMPA to provide useful resources and support.
Her most recent blog post is not a direct attack on Jeremy Hunt. Instead, it examines all views and argument - both for and against.
However, some things to consider are:
It will be low income families who are hit the hardest.
Not everyone is able to eliminate allergens from the diet and breastfeed.
There's a risk parents of milk allergic children might then be tempted to source milk via the Internet from unknown, potentially unscrupulous persons, which could potentially put their health at risk.
Alternatives such as soya or goat's milk aren't necessarily a solution.
A large percentage of children who are allergic to milk are also allergic to soya because the proteins are very similar.
You can read the full run down on the blog .
Time is running out, but Dairy Free Baby and Me urges mums with whom this strikes a chord to take action as follows.
1. You need to contact CCG today at [email protected] by email TODAY (not much time to get this done).
2. Write to your M.P and/or Jeremy Hunt - the Secretary of State for Health, who is currently responsible for the NHS.
3. You can sign the petition - the previous has disappeared, due to a misunderstanding but I suspect a new one could well appear shortly!
4. Create awareness and support, by sharing this info/petition as widely as you can.
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