An allergy is a reaction your body has to a particular food or substance. They're more common in children, but adults can get them too. Some are more serious than others and reactions to them can vary. 

Allergy Awareness Week is a chance to raise awareness about all allergies whilst highlighting the difficulties people with allergies experience. The event helps people understand the seriousness of some allergies, and improve our knowledge of what can sometimes be a life-threatening condition. 

There are fundraising events that take place, and people often give donations. 

What's the theme of Allergy Awareness Week 2023?

The topic of Allergy Awareness Week 2023 is childhood food allergy. It will focus specifically on the weaning journey for parents of babies with food allergies. Allergy UK is due to release details of new research highlighting the fears and anxieties around the support and guidance available to parents and carers of children with allergies. 

When is Allergy Awareness Week 2023?

Allergy Awareness Week 2023 will take place from 20th April-25th April. 

Did you know

• Allergies are very common, they're thought to affect more than 1 in 4 people in the UK at some point in their lives
• They're particularly common in children
• Adults can develop allergies of things they were not previously allergic to 
• Most common allergies include: grass and tree pollen (hay fever), food (such as nuts, shellfish and eggs), dust mites and medicines

Symptoms of an allergic reaction

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• A runny or blocked nose
• A red, itchy rash
• Worsening of eczema or asthma symptoms
• Red, itchy and watery eyes