Published: 17th April 2025.
Last updated: 17th April 2025.
Author: Cara Sherratt.

 

 

After completing a first aid training course with St John Ambulance, you will be well acquainted with the concept, signs, symptoms and potential treatment of allergic reactions. And with this in mind, you’ll understand that there are several allergens in the workplace that can cause anaphylaxis, a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction.

However, do you know your stuff about the lesser-known facts about allergies that can be found within workplace settings, and how to create a more allergen-friendly environment? Refresh your knowledge on common allergens and explore insights  into rare and hidden allergies, that you should probably know about. Refresh your knowledge on common allergens and explore rare/hidden allergies, that you should probably know about.

 

For example, did you know…

• In some studies, people developed a severe allergic reaction to red meat after being bitten by a tick.
• A honey allergy is considered incredibly rare – estimates put it at 001% occurrence rate – unless they have existing reactions to specific honey-making pollens.
• Some people who are allergic to cats, can also be allergic to pork due to a syndrome called “pork-cat syndrome.”
• Individuals with a severe wheat or gluten allergy or celiac disease may experience anaphylactic reactions due to cross-contamination alone. With even a small amount of gluten potentially causing symptoms or long-term damage.
• People who are allergic to certain foods may also be at risk of developing latex allergy. These foods include bananas, avocados, kiwi fruit, mangoes, chestnuts, potatoes and tomatoes.
• Wasp stings are twice as likely to cause a fatal reaction due to anaphylaxis compared to bee stings, as wasps can sting multiple times.

People are not usually allergic to both bees and wasps, although allergy tests can be positive for both.

 

Food & Consumable Allergies

When looking at labelled foods, there are only 14 allergens that are required by law, to be declared on food packaging. As we learned in our First Aid training course, and referenced by the Food Standards Agency these allergens include: celery, cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, lupin, milk, molluscs, mustard, peanuts, sesame, soybeans, sulphur dioxide and sulphites and tree nuts.

However, individuals may be allergic or have intolerance to other ingredients altogether. Even common food allergens can trigger anaphylaxis. Everyone from colleagues to maintenance workers may come into contact with these allergens and could inadvertently spread harmful traces across office kitchens, cafeterias, or during communal meals. Cross-contamination from shared surfaces or utensils can also pose a risk, so ensure your hygiene standards remain high in all food preparation or consumption areas. Ensure your teams stay up to date with training on food safety and hygenie training to protect those around them.

 

Latex Allergy

Latex is used widely in several industry landscapes including healthcare settings, or other environments where you may need the protection of latex gloves. Individuals with a latex allergy may experience anaphylaxis if they come into contact with latex gloves, balloons, or medical supplies that contain latex. One simple change you can implement to reduce the risk is to make sure your first aid kit is stocked with latex free gloves.

Products with latex include many medical products e.g. airways, intravenous tubing, stethoscopes, catheters, dressings/bandages. But is also found in gloves, household products, balloons, dental products and even rubber bands. Make sure your workplace is catalogued correctly to ensure you are aware of potential allergy triggers. You could also find out whether your workplace qualifies for emergency equipment such as Kitt Medical’s adrenal pens that can act as a lifesaving “defibrillator for allergies”.

 

Animals & Insects (Pets in the Workplace)

Some of the most widely reported triggers of anaphylaxis include insect stings, particularly wasp and bee stings. However, animals of various shapes, sizes and species can be a cause for an allergic reaction as serious as anaphylaxis. There are several reasons why animals could cause a reaction in workplace settings, from pet-friendly offices to outdoor work environments.

Animal dander: Which refers to skin cells or other material that is shed from the body of animals. The allergic reaction caused by material shed from an animal’s fur, hair, or feathers can also be triggered by the animal’s saliva, sweat or urine. Ensure you assess pet-friendly spaces, record allergies of staff and implement an action plan in emergency situations.

Stinging Insects: Workers in outdoor environments (construction, agriculture, landscaping, etc.) are at risk of being stung by bees, wasps, or hornets, which can trigger anaphylaxis in those with insect sting allergies. In these environments you can encourage people to avoid fragrances and scented products as well as wearing protective clothing and staying vigilant.

 

Managing Allergic Reactions in The Workplace

To effectively manage hidden allergies in the workplace, coworkers should be educated about the signs of anaphylaxis and always have the right number of first aid trained members of staff in the workplace. While adrenaline pens are a prescription-only medicine, with specific exceptions needing to be in place for anyone who's not a prescribed individual to purchase them – some work environments do qualify for devices such as our partner Kitt Medical’s anaphylaxis kits, which could save someone’s life when having an anaphylaxis.

This includes registered UK schools, and any business or organisation with an Occupational Health Scheme (OHS).

It is crucial for workplaces to have clear protocols in place to manage severe allergies, particularly in environments with known allergens. The first port of call for any workplace would be to understand, record and take proactive measures for any allergies in your teams.

To find out more about Kitt Medical and whether your workplace could be equipped with their Kitt’s visit our website.

 

Sources

https://www.cdc.gov/alpha-gal-syndrome/about/index.html
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5287071/
https://www.allergycliniclondon.co.uk/4-rare-food-allergies-that-you-should-know-about/
https://www.optimahealth.co.uk/how-to-support-employees-with-coeliac-disease/
https://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/fact-sheet/insect-sting-allergy-the-facts/
https://www.uhcw.nhs.uk/
https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/conditions-and-treatments/conditions-we-treat/latex-allergy/
https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/immune-system/anaphylaxis/
https://www.allergyuk.org/types-of-allergies/other-allergies/