#303 Allergies, Intolerances and Food Fear: What You Really Need to Know about Testing and Treatment with Dr Helen Evans-Howells

The Doctor's Kitchen Podcast

Are you truly allergic to dairy or just intolerant? Can headaches, joint pain or fatigue be signs of hidden allergies? And what about those online food intolerance tests? Can you trust them?

In this episode, Dr Helen brings clarity and evidence to the confusing world of food allergies, intolerances and sensitivities.

We cover:

• 🧠 Whether allergies can show up as migraines, fatigue, gut issues or mood changes
• 🔬 Why allergy rates are rising
• 🧪 The truth about IgG testing and other common myths
• 🥜 Whether it’s safe to give babies peanut or egg before age one, and why early exposure matters
• 💬 How to approach elimination diets and reintroductions safely
• ❤️ The emotional toll on families and where to find support

We also explore rising allergy rates, the hygiene hypothesis, environmental triggers including plant-based proteins, and what is actually working in clinics today, such as immunotherapy and support networks.

If you or someone you love is navigating the food allergy maze, this episode is full of practical and science-based insights.

Dr Helen Evans Howells is a GP with a Master's in Allergy with distinction from the University of Southampton. She trained and worked with the hospital’s allergy team for over four years. She now runs a specialist allergy clinic offering food immunotherapy for children and lectures widely across the UK and internationally. Dr Helen is a trustee of Anaphylaxis UK, Chair of its Clinical and Scientific Panel and former Chair of the Primary Care Group at the British Society of Allergy.

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