It’s Allergy Awareness Week in the UK this week (21st-27th April), with Allergy UK aiming to “highlight the experiences of people living with allergies and raise awareness of allergy and its impact.”
The leading allergy charity is using Allergy Awareness Week 2025 as a springboard to launch its new campaign, ‘I Wish I Knew #these3things’.
The campaign is designed to highlight the importance of early intervention and treatments when symptoms of allergies first begin to appear. As the campaign name suggests, it will focus on highlighting 3 key things that everyone should be aware of when it comes to allergies:
- Allergies can strike at any age. It is a common misconception that we are born with allergies or that they will always develop during childhood. In fact, statistics show that almost half of adults with food allergies develop them later in life. Allergies can develop during childhood but also during puberty, pregnancy, menopause or later in life. The belief that allergies start in childhood could mean that adults experiencing the onset of an allergy overlook their symptoms. This can delay diagnosis and treatment, making allergies harder to manage
- Getting a diagnosis for an allergy matters: it is the key to accessing the right care. It’s crucial that anyone experiencing symptoms of an allergy speaks to a healthcare professional to get a diagnosis and the right support. The earlier you receive appropriate treatment, the better you can manage the allergy. A diagnosis can also enable access to specialist allergy clinics, up to date patient advice, treatments which require a prescription and immunotherapy treatments to desensitise you to common allergens. For food allergy
sufferers, a diagnosis is also the only way to access prescribed adrenaline auto-injectors, which could be life-saving if your food allergy carries a risk of anaphylactic shock. Allergy UK’s Self Help Hub provides valuable resources to help people recognise a potential allergy early. - An allergy can make other health conditions worsen. Allergies can trigger flare-ups of other health conditions, such as asthma, eczema and even gut issues, making them harder to manage. According to Asthma UK, 8 in 10 people with asthma have other allergic conditions, while 90% of people with eczema have an additional allergic condition, and 25% have 3 or more allergies (Not Just Skin Deep, 2021). Conversely, certain health conditions can also increase the risk and severity of certain allergic diseases.
Launching during Allergy Awareness Week, the ‘I Wish I Knew…’ campaign will run throughout 2025 and beyond, building on Allergy UK’s previous campaign ‘It’s Time’, which called on everyone to take allergies seriously.
The charity wants anyone affected by allergies at any stage in their life to act early and seek help. The core aim is to help build an allergy community where ‘I Wish I Knew…’ is heard less and less, as people have the knowledge and understanding beforehand.
Allergy UK says: “This is the first step toward a life where allergies don’t get in the way of what matters most.”
Campaigns and annual activities such as Allergy Awareness Week are hugely important, given that it is estimated half the population will have allergies by 2026.
Allergy UK cautions that the healthcare system is not currently optimised for allergy care and adds that “it’s crucial that anyone who is newly diagnosed is empowered to access the support they need early on in their journey.”
When people access the right care early on after first noticing symptoms, allergies are often easier to manage, preventing complications later down the line. Allergy UK says effective early care can “even potentially change the trajectory of the allergy.”
Get involved in Allergy Awareness Week 2025
The charity will be championing the voices of experts and those living with allergies throughout Allergy Awareness Week and the ‘I Wish I Knew…’ campaign, to help others better understand what it’s like to live with an allergy and the barriers often faced by people living with allergies. Their stories can also help other individuals living with allergies, by sharing personal experiences and practical solutions that have helped them overcome such barriers.
Allergy Awareness Week and all Allergy UK campaigns look at all different types of allergies, from food allergies such as nut and seed or dairy allergies, to hayfever, dustmite allergies and allergies affecting babies.
Allergy UK is encouraging anyone with an allergy to get in touch and join in this Allergy Awareness Week by sharing their own experiences and the things they wished they had known sooner. They can contact the charity by emailing tellusyourstory@allergyuk.org to help raise awareness, educate and inform and let everyone with allergies know that they are not alone. The charity says: “Your real-life stories will help others take steps to manage their allergies and live a life without limits.”
Other ways in which you can get involved and support Allergy Awareness Week 2025 include:
- Sign up for Walk Your Way 2025 – a 100km walking challenge taking place this October to raise vital funds for Allergy UK
- Download free resources to raise awareness and educate others about allergies
- Join the conversation by sharing your experiences on the ‘Wall of Allergy Wisdom’. You can also join the conversation on social media using #AllergyAwarenessWeek2025 #these3things #IWishIKnew
- Host a fundraising event, such as a pre-loved clothes sale, a bake sale or a sponsored challenge. Allergy UK has fundraising packs available.
- Simply donate to this fantastic cause and help them continue their great work to support people of all ages living with allergies across the UK
Allergies: the facts and statistics
The World Allergy Organization (WAO) estimates that the prevalence of allergies within the global population ranges between 10-40%.
Allergies are the most common chronic disease in Europe, with up to 1 in 5 allergy patients (20%) living with a severe debilitating form of their condition and the constant fear of a possible asthma attack, anaphylactic shock or even death as a result of an allergic reaction.
Research also shows that almost a third of allergy sufferers have been forced to adapt their lifestyles to manage their disorder and reduce their allergic reactions. These changes can range from keeping their homes extra clean (11%) to using special bedding (11%).
These issues can lead to people living with severe allergies developing anxiety, stress, depression and other mental health concerns linked to their condition.
In the UK, more than 1 in 5 people are affected by one or more allergic disorders. The number of allergy sufferers and the intensity of allergies is on the rise, with statistics showing:
- Around 44% of British adults suffer from at least one allergy
- The number of allergy sufferers in the UK grew by around 2 million people between 2008 and 2009 alone
- Almost half of allergy sufferers have more than one allergy (48%). This equates to around 10 million people with multiple allergies
- In the 20 years to 2012 there was a massive 615% increase in the rate of hospital admissions for life-threatening anaphylaxis in the UK
- The percentage of children diagnosed with allergic rhinitis and eczema have both trebled over the last 30 years
There is also a significant financial cost to allergic diseases, with the NHS spending an estimated £900 million each year, mainly on prescribed treatments in primary care. This represents 10% of the total GP prescribing budget.
Meanwhile, managing asthma patients – of which, 80% also have hayfever, which acts as a trigger – costs the NHS £1.1 billion a year
These figures underline the importance of identifying and treating allergies early, so they can be better managed.
Allergies and the abolition of NHS England
Allergy UK has been campaigning for “timely and effective care” in the community for allergy patients for many years.
They have long called for the integration of specialist allergy nurses and dietitians into primary care settings. They say this can improve access to care and reduce waiting times for allergy sufferers.
Allergy UK previously carried out a research project with the University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian which saw a nurse-led clinic trialled in a primary care setting. They said this “proved to be both feasible and effective,” demonstrating the following key benefits:
- Waiting times were slashed from 6-18 months to just 4-8 weeks
- Food allergy management was enhanced through the integration of a paediatric specialist allergy dietitian
- Specialist referrals were reduced by 95%, alleviating pressure on NHS services
Responding to the government’s announcement of the abolition of NHS England recently, the CEO of Allergy UK, Simone Miles, reiterated the charity’s hopes for community-based specialist allergy care as part of measures to transform the NHS and improve its effectiveness.
She said:
“We await more details on what the abolition of NHS England means for allergy care and services with interest. Waiting lists are a big problem for the allergy community, with many allergy patients currently facing wait times of up to 18 months to access specialist care.
“Allergy UK has been campaigning for nearly two years for more community-based allergy specialists within primary care as we know this approach reduces the need for referrals and waiting times by up to 95%. We strongly urge the government to consider proposals which mitigate the need for referrals and therefore the needs for waiting lists with long waiting times for people living with allergies.
“This is a health condition which affects 1 in 3 people in the UK and more needs to be done to ensure the allergy community receives timely and effective care.”
Ultimately, the charity said it would continue its efforts to engage with key stakeholders and the government to advocate for “a more structured and consistent approach to allergy care within the reformed NHS that is cost positive and improves the lives of those living with allergy.”
You can find out more about the NHS and allergy care online.
Training and education this Allergy Awareness Week
First Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider. They deliver over 6,000 courses each year in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food safety, mental health, health and social care and other special focus topics.
Their portfolio includes the Level 2 Award in Allergy Awareness, Anaphylaxis and Emergency Medication as well as training in Inhalers and Nebulisers.
Common signs and symptoms of allergic reactions can include:
- Sneezing and/or an itchy, runny or blocked nose
- Itchy, red or watering eyes
- Shortness of breath, wheezing, tightness in the chest and/or a cough
- Raised, itchy red rash
- Swollen lips, tongue, eyes or face
- Nausea
- Worsening of asthma or eczema symptoms for those who have these conditions
Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis may include:
- Difficulty breathing or speaking
- Coughing or wheezing
- Feeling faint, lightheaded or dizzy
- Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting
- Loss of consciousness
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency; you must always call an ambulance if you suspect someone is experiencing anaphylactic shock.
Some of the most common allergens include:
- Grass and tree pollen (an allergy to these is known as hayfever)
- Dust mites
- Animal skin or hair
- Food – common food allergens include nuts, shellfish, eggs, cow’s milk, gluten, soy or types of fruit
- Insect bites and stings
- Medication, such as ibuprofen, aspirin and certain antibiotics
- Latex
- Mould
- Household chemicals, such as those found in detergents
If you live with an allergic condition or are supporting or caring for someone with an allergy, you may need to consider the following useful tips for helping to manage allergies:
Practice good housekeeping by keeping your environment clean and tidy. This is particularly important for people who suffer with mould and dust mite allergies- Use an air purifier to reduce any airborne allergens
- Ensure you have stock of relevant emergency medication where appropriate and that you are aware of how to use it correctly. Schools are able to keep stock of spare adrenaline auto-injectors to use in emergency situations without the need for a specific prescription for a specific child. If you work in a school, make sure you are aware of the guidance. For milder allergic reactions, antihistamines may help. Always consult a pharmacist and read the package instructions and guidance
- When preparing food, ensure you ask other diners if they have any food allergies or intolerances. If someone does have a food allergy, you must ensure the allergen is not present in the food and that equipment used to make the food does not come into contact with the allergen. For some severe food allergies, even being in the same room as the allergen can trigger a reaction
- Provide emotional support for people living with allergic conditions, as many will experience anxiety and stress linked to their allergy. You can help to alleviate anxiety by providing a safe environment and you can also practice positive strategies for managing anxiety, such as mindful breathing or muscle relaxation
If you suspect you or someone you care for may have an allergy, you should contact your GP in the first instance. You can find out more information about allergies on the NHS website.
A trainer from FRT says:
“Allergies can be very serious and can impact every aspect of a person’s life.
“It is therefore very important that people have an awareness of allergies and the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction. Training and information are particularly important for those who are responsible for taking care of others, whether adults or children. Prompt action is vital when someone has a severe allergic reaction.
“We support Allergy Awareness Week and their calls for better awareness and improved allergy services and support for people living with allergic conditions.”
Download our free ‘Managing Allergies’ infographic with advice and guidance about helping to manage allergies or support people living with allergies.
For more information about the training available, please call FRT today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or e-mail info@firstresponsetraining.com.