THE UK ALLERGY PROBLEM
Allergy UK is currently highlighting the difficulties faced by the millions of people in the country who suffer with an allergy or hypersensitivity.
Allergy overload
Allergy-induced misery often culminates in the summer months, particularly for the one fifth of the population who suffer with hay fever. Caused for the most part by an allergy to grass pollens appearing between May and September, the hay fever season peaks in June and July. Startlingly, 40% of children struggle with this condition, which can be responsible for a drop of at least one grade in exams.
Symptoms for hay fever can be very severe and include constant sneezing, streaming eyes, coughing and sleeplessness. Although the condition can cause great discomfort and irritation it is important not to let your hay fever symptoms run away with you. Allergy UK is available to offer important advice and practical tips on managing the condition and various treatments. This year the organisation is also able to point you in the direction of pharmacists offering a proper allergy screening service with a clinical history being taken by a professional.
Yet hay fever is only one under a broad umbrella of what can be highly incommodious allergies. One third of the UK population will suffer with some form of sensitivity at one point or another, and other common allergies include the multiple array of skin conditions and food intolerances which can also be brought to a head during the summer months by high levels of sunshine and the greater proportion of time spent at BBQ’s and picnics. Fun for most, summer sun and socials can bring added misery for the UK’s allergy sufferers.
Allergy UK also stresses the need to address lesser known allergies - such as latex allergy, which can be life threatening and is becoming more predominant. Used in a wide range of products, latex also cross reacts with certain foods and hence makes daily life extremely difficult for sufferers.
However, Allergy UK stresses that “Knowledgement and management is the key.” Once provided with the right information, it is usually possible to manage any allergy, and in this way rein in a set of symptoms which could otherwise prove seriously detrimental to the quality of your daily life.
For more information:
Or call Allergy UK's allergy Helpline on 01322 619898
