DR HILARY...DR HILARY...DR HILARY...DR HILARY...

DR HILARY'S DIAGNOSIS

Usually it’s hard to pinpoint the exact cause of a dietary allergy, but in Gemma’s case it’s clear.

There’s a family history already and a persistent and repetitive pattern to her rash coming on.

Sadly, we often adore the foods which our immune systems react to, but being allergic to chocolate is particularly cruel.

Obviously one of the ingredients in chocolate is responsible.

It could be caffeine, a chemical called phenylethylamine, cocoa bean or any of the E numbers or additives listed.

Gemma could be tested for an allergy to each one, but it would take weeks with no guarantee that she would then be able to find a brand which didn’t contain the ingredient she’s allergic to.

Since her skin reaction is mild, she could take a non-sedating antihistamine tablet such as Zirtek once a day for two days after eating chocolates but it isn’t ideal – especially if Gemma starts eating chocolate regularly.

Unfortunately, abstinence is the only sure-fire guarantee.

'I'm allergic to

chocolate but

I can’t give it up'

EVERY WEEK A CELEB ASKS OUR FABULOUS DOCTOR FOR DIAGNOSIS. THIS WEEK IT'S EASTENDERS' GEMMA BISSIX, 24

When I was 16 I developed a rash under my skin, all over my back and front. It was so itchy, it kept me awake at night.

After a few weeks, the rash still hadn’t gone so I went to see my GP, who said it was an allergy. He suggested I study my diet and note when the rash got worse.

My gran was allergic to cheese, strawberries and chocolate, so they were the obvious foods to eradicate from my diet first.

I soon realised the rash only appeared when I had chocolate, which I used to eat three times a day. My doctor said the only thing I could do was give it up.

I was more upset about that than about the unsightly rash it gave me!

It was hard, but incredibly I managed to resist completely for five years, and remained rash-free until Easter three years ago.

But then, surrounded by chocolate, I gave in. My skin was clear for two days so I thought I’d grown out of the rash, but then it reappeared.

Then, at Christmas, I couldn’t stop myself from stuffing my face with Terry’s Chocolate Orange.

Again, nothing happened for a couple of days, but then the rash came back, which was annoying.

Although it’s not as bad as when I was a teenager, I now have to wear revealing tops in EastEnders, so I don’t like having little bumps all over my cleavage.

But I know I’ll fall off the wagon again eventually. I’ve tried chocolate substitutes but they’re horrible.

What can I do?

Credits

Photography: Ray Burmiston/NOW/IPC+ Syndication EastEnders is on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, BBC1

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AUG 31 HANNAH TOINTON

AUG 24 NELL McANDREW

AUG 17 CLAIRE KING

AUG 10 SAIRA KHAN

AUG 3 JULIE GRAHAM

JULY NIKKI GRAHAME, KIM MEDCALF, SINITTA, LINDA ROBSON

JUNE SUZI WALKER, ZOE SALMON, POOJA SHAH, CAROLE SMILLIE, KIRSTY ALLSOPP

MAY FAYE TOZER, JENNIE BOND, JANE DANSON, TRACEY COX

APRIL ERIN BOAG, JULIA BRADBURY, CLAIRE SWEENEY, TRICIA PENROSE

MARCH SAMMY WINWARD, ROSIE MARCEL, GABY ROSLIN, NATASHA HAMILTON, ANDREA MCLEAN

FEB GEMMA BISSIX, CAROL MCGRIFFIN, ROXANNE PALLETT, TINA HOBLEY