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The Story Behind the Patienten House: Interview with Marie-Noëlle Matz

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(Version française ci-dessous) As a nurse and coordinator of the Patienten House   at the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL), Marie-Noëlle Matz has dedicated her career to supporting patients and promoting patient empowerment. In this interview, she reflects on her professional journey and the creation of the Patienten House, a pioneering initiative that brings patients, associations and healthcare professionals closer together. 1. Could you tell us about your professional journey at the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL) and what led you to work so closely with patients? After graduating as a registered nurse in Belgium, I began my career directly at the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL) in the cardiology department, where I spent most of my professional career. CHL gave me the opportunity to develop expertise in therape utic patient education and to help establish two specialised clinics designed to strengthen patient autonomy: the anticoagulation clinic and the hear...
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From Lab to Life: Advancing Allergy Research in Luxembourg Dr. Annette Kuehn, Principal Investigator and Group Leader for Molecular and Translational Allergology at the  Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) , Department of Infection and Immunity, tells us  about the latest advances in allergy research and how they are shaping safer, more personalised care for families living with food allergies. Can you explain what “Molecular and Translational Allergology” means in everyday language?   Our group name reflects our research approach.  “Molecular” describes  what  we study. We look at tiny building blocks such as antibodies, proteins, and cells. “Translational” explains  why  we do this work. We want our findings to lead to better care for patients. “Allergology” shows  which medical field  we  focus  on . We apply our approach to understanding and improving the science of allergies.   Why is allergy research important for f...
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Interview with a paediatric allergist: Dr. Morel

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What are the first signs that a child might have a food allergy and when and where should parents seek testing? Early signs of food allergies in infants   According to Dr. Morel, paediatric allergist at the CHL Kannerklinik in Luxembourg, one of the earliest signs that may indicate a food allergy in infants is  moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (eczema)  that does not improve despite regular use of moisturising creams.   Other possible warning signs include  digestive symptoms , such as repeated vomiting, feeding difficulties, excessive crying, or poor sleep. Parents should also pay attention to  changes in their baby’s behaviour , as discomfort or pain may present in subtle ways.   Which children are at higher risk?   Some infants have a higher risk of developing  IgE-mediated food allergies .  (IgE allergies are “immediate” allergies caused by the immune system producing IgE antibodies, which can lead to quick reactions such as hive...
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Allergen Introduction in Everyday Life: a Parent’s Story

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In this interview, Lynn, mum of 3.5-year-old Julia and a member of the Luxembourg Allergy Network (LAN), shares her family’s journey with early allergen introduction and immunotherapy.   Can you briefly tell us your daughter’s allergy story? Julia was fully breastfed for the first six months of her life and started solids at around 6.5 months. When she was nine months old, she tried omelette for the first time. She sucked on it, and I noticed a rash on her neck. Because she was wearing a new plastic bib, I initially thought it was a reaction to the plastic. On Julia’s first birthday, I prepared noodles with boiled egg. This time, she immediately developed a rash all over her body, her eyes became swollen, and she vomited. That’s when I made the connection to egg. We consulted our paediatrician, who carried out a blood test. The results came back positive for egg and all tree nuts, and we were given an emergency medication kit. Later, we saw a specialist who carried out further test...
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