NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board is supporting Allergy Awareness Week, running from 21 to 28 April 2025.

As part of the week, Allergy UK is launching its I Wish I Knew campaign. The campaign highlights three important facts about allergies:

• Allergies can develop at any age
• Allergies can make other conditions, such as asthma, worse
• A diagnosis is essential for accessing the right care

More information about the campaign is available at www.allergyuk.org.

Understanding allergies

The number of people living with allergies increases every year, with half of those affected being children.

An allergy happens when the body’s immune system reacts to a substance as if it were a threat. It produces antibodies to fight off the allergen, triggering an immune response.

Common allergic conditions include asthma, eczema and hay fever. Symptoms can include sneezing, wheezing, coughing and skin rashes.

Avoiding the allergen is the most effective way to prevent a reaction. However, this can be difficult. Allergens like house dust mites or fungal spores are hard to detect and can thrive even in clean homes.

Pets can also be a trigger. If avoiding them entirely isn’t possible, steps such as keeping them outdoors can help reduce exposure.

Seasonal allergies and support

At this time of year, grass pollen levels rise, and many people experience hay fever symptoms. These may include sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy eyes and post-nasal drip.

Others may react to tree or weed pollen, which appear at different times of the year.

Anyone with hay fever symptoms should speak to a pharmacist first. Pharmacists can recommend over-the-counter treatments to ease discomfort.

Find out more about allergies, causes and treatments at Allergies – NHS.