Could it be allergies?

Other health conditions such as eczema and asthma are triggered by an allergy

Allergy Awareness Week 2025

Allergies are often than just a temporary reaction; having an allergy can be a serious chronic health condition which can dramatically affect your day-to-day life on an ongoing basis. It can also impact other medical issues.

An allergy could be the hidden trigger for flare ups and presentations of a host of health conditions such as asthma, eczema, sinus complications, and gut issues, making them harder to manage. Here we provide an overview of some of the more common health conditions that can be affected by allergy, along with health conditions which can increase someone’s sensitivities to existing allergies or increase their likelihood to develop an allergy.

On this page:

Asthma and Allergies 

Allergic rhinitis, when triggered seasonally by pollen, is also known as hay fever.  Allergic rhinitis is the general term for respiratory allergies that can be triggered all year round by air borne allergens such as house dust mite, mould and pet dander. Interestingly, house dust mite allergy is a known trigger for asthma appearing in adulthood. 

These two conditions are commonly found acting together, with a staggering 90% of people with asthma also living with allergic rhinitis.  

Poorly controlled allergic rhinitis can have a profound effect on someone who is also asthmatic and controlling rhinitis symptoms is fundamental to avoiding asthma complications. Research shows that people with asthma and severe rhinitis symptoms are four times more likely to have poorly controlled asthma (Scadding, 2012), with moderate-severe allergic rhinitis increasing the risk of asthma exacerbations by 40%. 

Maybe even less understood is the effect that poorly managed asthma has on food allergy. When asthma is poorly controlled, it can exacerbate respiratory symptoms during an anaphylactic reaction and making it a risk factor for severe, even fatal, food induced anaphylaxis.  

Eczema and Allergies 

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is one of the first allergic conditions to appear in infancy usually within the first 12 months of life. Eczema that starts in the first few months of life combined with being persistent and problematic is a red flag for the risk of developing food allergy.  

Eczema is more likely to develop in people who have a family history of allergy, and it is common for children with eczema to have or develop other allergic conditions such as hay fever and food allergy.  

It is important to recognise the symptoms of atopic eczema in babies and children and understanding the link these conditions carry. In infants, intervening early when symptoms of certain allergies appear can change the course of an allergy journey for a child. A defective skin barrier in a baby can increase the likelihood of the child developing a food allergy, and therefore managing the eczema well can help prevent infection and reduce the risk of food allergy developing.  This insight is gained from UK based research that has shown that moderate to severe eczema in infants under 6 months left untreated, can lead to the development of food allergy. Additionally, an untreated infection due to eczema in early life can also lead to the development of food allergy. 

Into adulthood the link between eczema and allergy is clear to see, with 90% of patients with eczema also living with an additional allergic condition. (Allergy UK/Sanofi Not Just Skin Deep.) 

Sinusitis 

Sinusitis is a common complication of poorly controlled allergic rhinitis. It is thought that swelling caused by allergic rhinitis can lead to an obstruction of the drainage of the sinuses, prompting the development of sinusitis (Lipworth 2017) (References | Allergic rhinitis | CKS | NICE)  

Puberty, Perimenopause, Menopause 

During these life stages when there are hormonal changes, the body’s response to allergies can alter. People may see the severity of allergic symptoms increase or hormonal changes may even contribute to the development of an allergy during this period. 

Research exists which highlights how women post menopause have a greater risk of developing asthma for the first time.  With this comes a need to be allergy aware as asthma symptoms can be exacerbated by an exposure to allergens.  

Mental Health and Mental Wellbeing 

Living with an allergy also brings with it mental health challenges.  The impact on quality of life and how people must adjust their day to day living to manage their allergies can have implications on someone’s mental health and wellbeing. As a snapshot, 2024 survey of people who live with indoor allergies reported 73% of respondents feeling that their allergy had a strong or very strong impact on their mental health. Meanwhile an Allergy UK survey to adults who live with a food allergy revealed that 43% believed that their food allergy significantly impacts their emotional health. 

The mental health implications of living with an allergy also extend beyond the person who is directly affected. In various studies conducted by Allergy UK and others, parents of children who live with an allergy also highlight the impact on their own mental wellbeing. For example, 54% of parents are very or extremely anxious about their child having an allergic reaction. 

Obesity and Dietary Choices 

Obesity can increase the risk and severity of certain allergic diseases, likely due to a combination of immune, inflammatory, and hormonal factors.  

Newer research suggests that maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a well-balanced and varied diet based mostly on wholefoods can have a positive impact on allergic diseases as well as our mental well-being.  

Studies have linked high intake/consumption of ultra-processed foods, fructose, free sugars and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) not only to a greater risk of obesity (and associated problems), but also to increased risk of developing allergic disease and more severe allergic symptoms. 

Another important consideration is that people with food allergies may be at risk of nutritional deficiencies if they have to avoid nutritionally important foods. Poorly balanced diets and malnutrition can lead to increased risk of other health conditions such as osteoporosis, anaemia etc. 

Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) 

Despite typically starting in childhood, eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) is often first detected in adulthood, with many people having been troubled with symptoms for years or decades. EoE is a chronic, immune-mediated condition that causes inflammation to the oesophagus, leading to symptoms such as difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) and food impaction.  If you have food or environmental allergies, asthma, atopic dermatitis, or a chronic respiratory disease, you’re more likely to develop eosinophilic esophagitis. 

Early identification and treatment of EoE is crucial to prevent complications such as feeding difficulties and permanent damage and narrowing of the oesophagus.  

In conclusion  

If new persistent symptoms appear or an existing condition worsens without a clear cause, consider whether allergy could be involved and seek medical support earlier rather than later. Understanding the link and recognising allergy symptoms early can lead to better treatment, improved health outcomes and a better quality of life. 

Stephen's Story

Stephen’s story on Allergy UK’s website explores how allergic conditions can significantly impact and exacerbate other health issues. Having suffered from eczema since infancy, Stephen now also lives with asthma, hay fever, alopecia, and atopic dermatitis. He shares how these interlinked conditions have affected both his physical and mental health, underlining the complex ways allergies can influence broader wellbeing.

Read Stephen’s Story

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