³ÉÈËÂÛ̳

Explore the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳
This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Find out more about page archiving.


Accessibility help
Text only
³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Homepage
³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio
³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 4 - 92 to 94 FM and 198 Long WaveListen to Digital Radio, Digital TV and OnlineListen on Digital Radio, Digital TV and Online

PROGRAMME FINDER:
Programmes
Podcasts
Presenters
PROGRAMME GENRES:
News
Drama
Comedy
Science
Religion|Ethics
History
Factual
Messageboards
Radio 4 Tickets
RadioÌý4 Help

Contact Us

Like this page?
Send it to a friend!

Ìý

Science
CASE NOTES
MISSED A PROGRAMME?
Go to the Listen Again page
PROGRAMME INFO
Tuesday 21:00-21:30
Repeat Wednesday 16:30
DrÌýMark PorterÌýgives listeners the low-down on what the medical profession does and doesn't know. Each week an expert in the studio tacklesÌýa particular topic and there are reports from around the UK on the health of the nation - and the NHS.
Contact Case Notes
LISTEN AGAINListenÌý30 min
Listen toÌý24 October
PRESENTER
DR MARK PORTER
Dr Mark Porter
PROGRAMME DETAILS
TuesdayÌý24 OctoberÌý2006
Peanuts in their shells

Full programme transcript >>

Allergies

Up to a third of the population will suffer from an allergy at some point in their lives.

In this edition of Case Notes Dr Mark Porter asks why there has been such an apparent explosion in allergies in recent years.

Childrens' Allergies

This week Mark visits the Allergy Clinic at Southampton General Hospital and asks Dr Jane Lucas why the number of children suffering from food allergies is increasing.

It’s important for children with allergies to be followed-up in a clinic because many will grow out of them, especially reactions to milk and eggs.

But some children have potentially life-threatening reactions to certain foods – anaphylaxis. The restaurateur Giorgio Locatelli has a daughter who is severely allergic and he has had to devise special recipes to cope (see below for his eggless chocolate cake).

An exaggerated risk?

While as many as 1 in 6 parents believe their children have food allergies, one study suggests the real figure is more like 1 in 50.

Professor Allan Colver believes the dangers of allergies have been exaggerated and would like to see fewer epi-pens containing adrenaline given to parents. He tells Mark why.

Treating Allergies

The basic treatment for allergies is education and avoidance, adrenaline-filled epi-pens and anti-histamine.

At Southampton, the unit also uses immunotherapy, or desensitisation, for adults with hay fever and allergies to bee or wasp stings. Dr Tony Williams explains how a series of injections, containing minute amounts of the allergen, can help reduce allergic reactions.

Giorgio Locatelli's Eggless Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

450g/1lb plain flour (organic if possible)
6 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
300g/10oz caster sugar
125ml/4fl oz vegetable oil
300ml/½ pint water
2 tbsp distilled white vinegar
2 tsp vanilla extract
whipped cream, to decorate

For the icing:

dark chocolate spread
OR
225g/8oz icing sugar
25g/1oz unsweetened cocoa powder
75g/3oz butter, diced
1 tbsp golden syrup
4 tbsp milk

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda into a large bowl and stir in the sugar.

2. Combine all the wet ingredients in another bowl. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients all at once and beat until smooth.

3. Pour the batter into a greased 23cm/9in springform cake tin and bake for about 1 hour, until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean (place a sheet of foil over the top of the cake if it becomes too dark). Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin.

4. Turn the cake out of the tin and spread the chocolate spread over the top. Or, if you are making your own icing, sift the icing sugar and cocoa powder into a bowl and make a well in the centre.

5. Gently heat the butter, golden syrup and milk until the butter has melted, then pour into the well in the dry ingredients and stir until smooth.

6. Beat with a wooden spoon until the icing has cooled and thickened slightly. Spread the icing over the top and sides of the cake with a palette knife. Decorate with whipped cream.
Listen Live
Audio Help
DON'T MISS
Leading Edge
PREVIOUS PROGRAMMES
Emergency Services
Ovary
Heart Attacks
Appendix
Insects
CotÌýDeath
Antibiotics and Probiotics
Taste
Abortion
HPVÌý
Hair
Poisons
Urology
Aneurysms
Bariatric Surgery
Gardening
Pain
Backs - Slipped Discs
Prostate Cancer
Sun andÌýSkin
Knees
Screening
Rheumatology
Bowel Cancer
Herpes
Thyroid
Fainting
Liver
Cystic Fibrosis
Superbugs
SideÌýEffects
Metabolic Syndrome
Transplants
Down's Syndrome
The Voice
M.E./CFS
Meningitis
Childhood Burns
Statins
Alzheimer's
Headaches
Feet
Sexual Problems
IBS
Me and My Op
Lung Cancer and Smoking
CervicalÌýCancer
Hips
Caesarean Sections
The Nose
Multiple Sclerosis
Radiology
Palliative Care
Eyes
Shoulders
Leukaemia
Blood Pressure
Contraception
Parkinson's Disease
Head Injuries
Tropical Health
Ears
Arts and HealthÌý
Allergies
Nausea
Menopause and Osteoporosis
Immunisation
Intensive Care (ICU)
Manic Depression
The Bowel
Arthritis
Itching
Fractures
The Jaw
Keyhole Surgery
Prescriptions
Epilepsy
Hernias
Asthma
Hands
Out of Hours
Kidneys
Body Temperature
Stroke
Face Transplants
Backs
Heart Failure
The Royal Marsden Hospital
Vitamins
Cosmetic Surgery
Tired All TheÌýTime (TATT)
Obesity
Anaesthesia
Coronary Artery Surgery
Choice in the NHS
Back to School
Homeopathy
Hearing and Balance
First Aid
Dentists
Alder Hey Hospital - Children's Health
Thrombosis
Arrhythmias
Pregnancy
Moorfields Eye Hospital
Wound Healing
Joint Replacements
Premature Babies
Prison Medicine
Light
Respiratory Medicine
Indigestion
Urinary Incontinence
The Waiting Game
Diabetes
Contraception
Depression
Auto-immune Diseases
Prescribing Drugs
Get Fit and Get Well Food
Autism
Vaccinations
Oral Health
Blood
Heart Attacks
Genetic Screening
Fertility
A+E & Triage
Antibiotics
Screening Tests
Sexual Health
Baldness


Back to Latest Programme
Health & Wellbeing Programmes

Archived Programmes

News & Current Affairs | Arts & Drama | Comedy & Quizzes | Science | Religion & Ethics | History | Factual

Back to top


About the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy
Ìý