Dr Nick Dunn is joined by Dr Chloe Savident, a GP with a special interest in allergy, to explore allergies in children, how advice around weaning has changed and some of the questions and concerns she regularly hears from parents.

Nick and Chloe discuss what actually happens in the body during an allergic reaction, the difference between allergies and intolerances, and some of the common misconceptions around food allergy. Chloe explains why eczema doesn’t necessarily mean a child has a food allergy, and why avoiding foods unnecessarily can sometimes cause more harm than good.

They also look at the changing advice on weaning and why introducing common allergens such as egg and peanut early on may actually reduce a baby’s risk of developing an allergy. Chloe talks about the anxiety parents can understandably feel around this, particularly if their baby has eczema or is already at higher risk, and the support she can offer families through the Healthcare Group Allergy Clinic.

Chloe also explains why allergy in general appears to be on the rise, the possible role of our environment and microbiome, and some of the treatments now available, including immunotherapy for certain types of hay fever. She also discusses allergy testing: when it’s useful, and why some widely available intolerance tests aren’t as helpful as they might seem.

Chloe shares a bit of her own story too, growing up in Guernsey, studying medicine in Cardiff and training in South Wales before eventually returning home to the island.

Now a mum to a young daughter, she talks about balancing family life, general practice and her ongoing training in allergy. She also speaks openly about being diagnosed with breast cancer at 28, and how that experience has shaped the GP she is today.

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If you’re worried about weaning, allergies or would like support around any of the topics discussed in this episode please speak to your GP.

You can also book in to see Dr Chloe in the Allergy Clinic. The clinic is open to everyone in Guernsey of all ages, regardless of where you are registered.

Find out more: www.healthcare.gg/service/allergy-clinic

Got a question for Dr Nick Dunn? Send us a message

Dr Nick Dunn is joined by Medical Specialist Group Consultant Dermatologist Dr Alice Walker to explore what causes acne, the impact it can have, and the treatments available.

Acne affects most of us at some point in our lives, but there are still plenty of myths around what causes it and how it should be treated. Dr Nick and Dr Alice discuss what's actually happening beneath the skin, why acne isn't caused by poor hygiene, and the physical and emotional impact it can have, particularly during the teenage years.

Alice talks through the different treatment options available, from benzoyl peroxide and topical antibiotics to retinoids, and explains when it might be time to see a dermatologist.

They also discuss the growing influence of social media skincare advice, including why "actives" need to be used carefully and why Alice believes teenagers certainly don't need to worry about "anti-ageing".

The conversation takes a closer look at the prescription medication Roaccutane, or isotretinoin, which Alice describes as her "gold star acne drug". She explains why it can be so effective and the side effects and safeguards patients need to understand. Alice also talks about why getting the right treatment early is so important to prevent permanent scarring from acne.

As well as sharing what brought her into dermatology and the huge variety involved in treating conditions affecting the body's largest organ, Alice talks about settling into island life after moving over to Guernsey with her husband and son a year ago.

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If you're struggling with acne, or are worried about someone who is, don't feel embarrassed about asking for help. Speak to your GP about your concerns and the treatment options available

www.healthcare.gg

Got a question for Dr Nick Dunn? Send us a message

Dr Nick Dunn is joined by Dr Sally Richardson, a GP who runs a weight management clinic in Guernsey, to explore how our understanding of obesity has changed, and why it matters for patients.

Around 57% of adults in Guernsey are overweight or obese, and the World Health Organization now classifies obesity as a disease in its own right. Nick and Sally discuss how this shift is changing the way obesity is viewed and talked about, moving away from ideas of willpower and blame towards a better understanding of the biology behind it.

Sally explains the science behind why some people struggle to keep weight off even with a good diet and active lifestyle, and discusses what's now widely known as "food noise". She also talks candidly about prescribing weight loss medications, including who they're suitable for and the side effects patients should know about.

Nick draws on his own interest in sports medicine, and they discuss why protecting muscle mass matters during weight loss and what patients can do about it. The conversation also touches on the shame many patients feel after years of trying to lose weight, and how GPs can raise the subject sensitively.

Sally shares a bit of her own story too. She explains how, growing up in a family of doctors, medicine felt like an obvious choice, and talks about her path from A&E training to working as a registrar in the British Virgin Islands – including covering some of the private islands. She then talks about what brought her to Guernsey, and why the island's close-knit, continuity-based general practice suits her so well after the faster pace of working in London.

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If you’ve been struggling with your weight, or any of the topics discussed in this episode resonated with you, speak to your GP. They can talk through your concerns and discuss the support and treatment options that may be right for you.

www.healthcare.gg

Got a question for Dr Nick Dunn? Send us a message