An allergy is a reaction the body has to a particular food or substance. Allergies are very common. They're thought to affect more than one in four people in the UK at some point in their lives. They are particularly common in children. Some allergies go away as a child gets older, although many are lifelong. Adults can develop allergies to things they weren't previously allergic to.

Having an allergy can be a nuisance and affect your everyday activities, but most allergic reactions are mild and can be largely kept under control. Severe reactions can occasionally occur, but these are uncommon. You can read more about allergies on the NHS website.