INSIDE THE ALLERGY-PROOF HOUSE
Tonight’s episode of the Channel 4 show features a ‘safe space’ built by a couple for their two sons who have life-threatening allergies
antihistamines weekly or found one of the boys covered in a rash almost daily.
“We tried everything over many years to limit their allergic reactions, from changing their milk to scrupulously reading food labels. But they’d still have unexplained reactions.
“They’d come out in hives or rashes daily despite antihistamines or using an inhaler. From almost the day they were born we were forever back and forth to hospital.
“The idea of building a place where our children would hopefully have fewer allergic reactions and better health was the end result of years of searching for ways to help them.”
Despite the fact the boys obviously have to leave the house to go to school and for social and family events and outings, six months after they had moved in their parents cannot recall the last time they had an allergic reaction. “We looked at each other and drew a blank,” says Elinor. “I never want to wrap them in PROJECT PROTECT: Parents Born and Elinor in their ‘safe house’ with Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud
CONCRETE AND WOOD WALLS
Designed to reduce VOC levels cotton wool but it is a wonderful feeling knowing that when we put them to bed at night or watch them playing they are not exposed to allergens in their own home. That feels incredible.”
Sadly, even if the late Natasha Ednan-Laperouse had lived in such an allergen-free haven, it would not have saved her from that rogue sandwich.
The schoolgirl suffered a catastrophic allergic reaction after eating an olive and tapenade baguette from a Pret a Manger outlet at Heathrow airport, went into cardiac arrest on a plane to Nice in July 2016 and later died in hospital. The sesame seeds she was allergic to were baked in the dough and lax regulations meant they did not need to be labelled on the packaging.
Her death is expected to trigger a major shake-up in food safety regulations and the emergency treatment of people suffering severe allergic reactions, while Prime Minister Theresa May has called for a review of food labelling laws. Grand Designs is on Channel 4 tonight at 9pm