Sue's story

“My first anaphylactic shock was at the age of 19, shortly after giving birth. I was told I was allergic to gelatine and from then on, I had to read every ingredient in a supermarket and I never ate a dessert if I was away from home.

When I was 28, I had my second anaphylactic shock after my third child was born. I was in hospital and being given the rubella vaccine. I had a red wrist band stating my allergy but seemingly no-one thought about gelatine in the vaccine.

Many years later at the age of 65, I was in the bath and using a bath soak when I had my third attack. I needed an ambulance and was taken to A&E for treatment.

After that episode I was sent to an immunology clinic and tested with numerous products. The result was allergies to Propyl Galate (used in cosmetics), pharmaceutical creams, emulsions, fats, oils and waxes, plus various chemicals used in bathroom products – Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl cinnamate, Benzaldehyde, Menthol, DL- Limonine and cinnamaldehyde. I’m also allergic to margarine and peanut butter.

As a result, I can’t use soap powder, fabric softener, shampoo or hair conditioner or anything in the bath water. Room sprays or fresheners are out.

I carry auto adrenaline injector pens at all times. Family and friends have to prepare when I visit, washing all the bed linen, towels and so on to remove all traces of soap. I always wear slippers as I get contact dermatitis if my feet come into contact with floor cleaning products.

I wear an SOS chain and an anaphylactic wrist band. I am now coming up to 73 and in some I’m surprised I have survived this long.”