Rose's Story

As a new mum, Rose Porter was anxious to get everything right for her new baby boy – and she became very worried when he seemed unable to tolerate some common foods, including milk, eggs and some nuts.

Her son Nate, who is now two years old, was exhibiting allergic reactions which were making him poorly.

Luckily Rose, who lives in Kent, had gained a lot of knowledge about allergies through her work and knew immediately that she should seek help advice.

She says: “I had some knowledge of how to navigate the weaning process with my son – introducing allergens and recognising reactions. However, it was still incredibly frightening to witness his allergic reactions to peanuts, milk and egg at six months old and I was nervous about continuing to introduce other allergens, knowing he could react.

“Thankfully, I was aware of Allergy UK’s services, which allowed me to speak with a dietitian and get a swift referral for allergy testing and follow-up. This enabled us to promptly start the milk and egg ladders and I am delighted that Nate has now outgrown both of these allergies. We are still managing his peanut and cashew allergies.

“I feel lucky – I knew the signs of allergy and I knew Nate needed help, so I sought advice straight away. Early intervention has made a big difference to him.”

Being diagnosed matters

An allergy diagnosis isn’t just a label, it’s the key to managing symptoms, preventing complications, and improving quality of life. The earlier you recognise the signs and seek diagnosis, the better you can manage symptoms and take control of the condition.  

That’s why for Allergy Awareness Week 2025, we’re launching our new campaign – ‘I Wish I Knew’.

Our aim is to ensure anyone who may be affected by allergy one day can recognise symptoms early and seek support to control and manage their allergy. The right knowledge at the right time can change the course of an allergy journey.

Find our more about our campaign