Around 20 million people in the UK suffer from allergic conditions. Half of these (roughly 10 million) experience allergic symptoms each year, with at least 2.5 million (about one in six people with an allergy) experiencing severe symptoms that require medical attention.
With this in mind, Chemist4U has compiled the latest allergy statistics for 2025, outlining the most common allergies in the UK, including facts about food allergies, the number of people in the UK with asthma, and the latest anaphylaxis statistics.
Our allergy report combines recent developments in allergy research with original data to illustrate how these trends have evolved in the UK and what the future might hold.
Top 10 must-know allergy facts 2025
An estimated 20 million people in the UK have an allergy. (Source: Allergy UK)
Nut allergies are the most commonly featured allergy in media articles, accounting for around two-fifths (40.5%) of those analysed in 2025. (Source: Chemist4U via Muck Rack)
One in every 1,333 people in England experiences anaphylaxis in their lives. (Source: NARF)
The number of deaths from anaphylaxis in England could reach 8,568 by the end of 2025. (Source: Chemist4U via ONS)
On average, the number of anaphylaxis deaths in England grew by 5% between 2001 and 2025. (Source: Chemist4U via ONS)
The average number of deaths each year from anaphylaxis grew by 5% between 2001 and 2025. (Source: Chemist4U via ONS)
40% of children in the UK have been diagnosed with an allergy. (Source: Allergy UK)
Facts about allergies
Allergies happen when your body’s immune system interacts with a substance that causes an allergic reaction. These substances are known as allergens.
Allergies may vary according to many factors. Some are seasonal, while others are all year round. Some may be lifelong, while others may only affect you for a relatively short period. And some can be extremely severe and life-threatening, while others can be mild.
How many allergies are there?
There are many types of allergies, with the exact number being unknown. The list is long, with some being more common than others.
Broadly speaking, allergies can be grouped into the following:
animal/insect allergies (including bee, wasp, and venom allergies)
pet allergies
house dust mites
mould allergy
Whatever your allergy, it’s essential to work with your GP to create an allergy management plan that works for you. This involves minimising negative impacts, and avoiding your allergens to prevent future allergic reactions.
How many people have allergies?
Allergy UK estimates that allergies affect around 20 million people in the UK, roughly a third of the population.
What are the most common allergies in the UK?
According to NHS England, there were just over 17.56 million hospital admissions in 2023/24.
11,700 of these were attributed to people suffering from predominantly allergic asthma. This was the highest recorded figure for hospital admissions across all allergies for the year, accounting for almost 0.07% of the total.
This was more than double the number of unspecified allergies in second place, which reported 5,298 hospital admissions in 2023/24.
The most common allergies in England by the number of hospital admissions
Between 2002/03 and 2023/24, the number of people admitted to hospital with:
Predominantly allergic asthma has more than doubled.
An unspecified allergy has virtually tripled.
Other adverse food reactions have increased by more than 3.5 times.
There were also more than 20 times as many people visiting hospitals with pollen-induced allergic rhinitis (i.e., hay fever) in 2023/24 compared to 2002/03.
"Better diagnosis means more cases are being picked up, but it could also be linked to changes in diet, lifestyle, and even how clean our environments are, which can affect how our immune systems develop.
"If you think you might have a food allergy, don't try to self-diagnose by cutting out major food groups. Book a GP appointment, and they can help you understand your symptoms and get proper testing if needed.
"Keep a diary of what you eat and any reactions you have, and remember, if you ever have trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or feel faint after eating, call 999 straight away as it could be a sign of a serious allergic reaction."
In Scotland, 120 people per 100,000 were hospitalised for an allergy-related illness at least once during 2022/23, compared to 112 people per 100,000 in 2021/22. This represents a 7.1% increase over 12 months.
Asthma remains the most common allergy in Scotland, accounting for more than four-fifths (81%) of the 6,546 allergy-related hospital admissions in 2022/23.
Note: Comparable allergy statistics for Wales and Northern Ireland were unavailable at the time of writing or deemed too out-of-date to make a fair comparison between different UK nations.
The most common allergies in the UK for different categories, based on Google Trends data
Date
Latex
Nickel
Penicillin
Cat
Dog
Pollen
Dust
Nut
Peanut
Milk
2010
63
21
15
17
14
9
14
15
7
13
2011
77
28
17
23
19
10
19
21
8
19
2012
68
32
19
25
21
11
23
22
8
21
2013
73
37
19
28
25
12
25
24
9
24
2014
71
38
22
31
30
15
27
29
12
27
2015
75
40
21
31
31
16
26
30
13
32
2016
72
40
23
33
36
17
29
31
13
41
2017
74
43
26
32
39
19
30
39
15
45
2018
76
46
29
33
41
21
29
39
17
47
2019
82
47
31
37
48
27
31
41
17
46
2020
79
40
30
41
53
33
36
29
14
45
2021
74
43
49
41
63
31
34
33
17
48
2022
73
44
41
42
63
31
34
38
16
51
2023
77
51
42
51
71
37
40
42
19
53
2024
84
51
43
55
72
35
43
47
30
59
2025*
84
51
42
50
64
41
43
50
24
58
2026**
84
49
45
50
66
42
43
53
26
61
2027**
84
52
47
52
70
44
45
55
27
64
2028**
85
53
49
54
73
47
47
57
28
67
2029**
86
58
51
56
77
49
48
59
29
70
2030**
87
59
53
58
80
51
50
61
31
73
(Source: Chemist4U via Google Trends)
* Yearly average was taken from available data from January to October, and the forecasted data from November and December
** Forecasted data
Google Trends data were collected for different allergies across the following categories (materials, drugs, environment, and food) to determine which were most commonly searched for.
As of 2025:
More searches took place for latex than for any other material, with a Google Trends Index Score of 84. This was almost two-thirds (64.7%) more popular than searches related to nickel allergies.
In terms of drug-related allergies, penicillin leads the way, with a score of 42.
Four of the top 10 most commonly searched allergies in the UK were environmental, with searches for dog allergies ahead of cat allergies (64 vs. 50).
Milk was the most commonly searched food allergy, with an index score of 58.
Should current trends continue, relative searches for milk allergies compared to other food items are expected to rise by more than a quarter (25.9%) by 2030, compared with 2025 —the largest predicted percentage rise across all allergies. This is followed closely by dog allergies (25%).
Check out our guide on lactose intolerance for more information on symptoms, causes, and treatment options to manage side effects.
The most common allergies in the UK, based on Google Trends data
Date
Latex
Penicillin
Dog
Nut
Milk
2010
7
8
7
14
13
2011
8
10
9
21
18
2012
7
11
11
21
21
2013
8
11
12
24
24
2014
7
12
15
28
27
2015
8
12
15
29
31
2016
8
13
18
31
40
2017
8
15
19
38
45
2018
8
17
20
39
47
2019
8
18
23
40
46
2020
8
17
26
29
44
2021
8
28
30
33
48
2022
7
24
31
37
50
2023
8
24
35
41
52
2024
9
24
35
46
58
2025*
9
24
32
49
56
2026**
8
22
33
51
59
2027**
8
23
34
53
61
2028**
8
24
36
55
64
2029**
8
25
38
57
67
2030**
8
27
40
59
70
(Source: Chemist4U via Google Trends)
* Yearly average was taken from available data from January to October, and the forecasted data from November and December
** Forecasted data
For each category (materials, drugs, environment, and food), the most commonly searched allergy was identified, and an analysis was performed to determine the most common overall.
Our findings show that, relatively speaking, more people are searching for milk allergies in 2025, making it around a seventh (14.3%) more popular than searches for ‘nut allergy’ and three-fifths (60%) more popular than ‘dog allergy’.
Despite being the most commonly searched allergy in its category, searches for latex allergies are far fewer than for penicillin, dog, nut, and milk. In fact, as of 2025, there were around six times as many searches for milk allergies as for latex.
By 2030, our forecasts suggest that milk will remain the most commonly searched allergy in the UK, with its popularity rising by around 25%.
"Milk and nut allergies are becoming more common, particularly in children, and there's likely a mix of factors at play. We're definitely more aware of allergies now, so parents are quicker to spot the signs and search for information online.
"But there's also evidence that cases are rising, possibly due to changes in when and how we introduce foods to babies, our increasingly processed diets, and even our gut health.
"The good news is that awareness is growing. People are taking symptoms seriously and seeking help earlier, which is exactly what we want to see. If you're concerned about a potential allergy, especially in young children, speak to your pharmacist or GP."
A 2024 study by Turner et al analysed more than 7.6 million datasets from 1998 to 2018, focusing on relevant hospital encounters linked to food allergies in England.
They found that between 2008 and 2018:
The estimated number of probable food allergy cases doubled, from 75.8 per 100,000 people to 159.5 per 100,000.
The prevalence of food allergies in England increased from 0.4% to 1.1%. It was highest among children under 5 (4.0%), followed by 2.4% among those aged 5-9, 1.7% among those aged 15-19, and 0.7% among adults.
Less than three-fifths (58.3%) of those with previous food anaphylaxis had a prescription for an adrenaline autoinjector.
How many food allergies are there?
According to the Food Standards Agency, 14 major allergens must be mentioned when used as ingredients in food.
These are:
Celery
Cereals containing gluten
Crustaceans (e.g. crab, lobster, prawns, and scampi)
Eggs
Fish
Lupin (a flower found in certain types of flour)
Milk
Molluscs (e.g. mussels, land snails, squid, whelks, and oysters)
Mustard (either liquid, powder, or seeds)
Nuts (i.e. those which grow on trees, such as cashews, almonds, and hazelnuts)
Peanuts (also known as groundnuts, as they’re in fact a legume and grow underground)
Sesame seeds
Soya (often found in food items such as bean curd, edamame beans, miso paste, and tofu)
Sulphur dioxide (also known as sulphites and often found in dried fruits, meat products, soft drinks, vegetables, wine, and beer)
How many people in the UK have a food allergy?
A 2024 report by the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) found that more than 30% of adults reported experiencing some form of negative reaction while eating (e.g., illness or difficulty with certain foods).
A clinical assessment concluded that an estimated 6% of the UK population (or 2.4 million adults) have a clinically confirmed food allergy.
Their allergy research also concluded that:
Food such as peanuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, and almonds are most likely to cause allergic reactions.
Many people also had allergies to fresh fruits (such as apples, peaches, and kiwis), which were associated with birch pollen allergy.
Allergies to milk, fish, shrimp, and mussels were among the least common allergies in the UK.
Childhood food allergies typically continue into early adulthood and then increase further, with around half of food allergies occurring in later adulthood.
Further investigations by the FSA found that many individuals had multiple food allergies.
Their 2024 allergy report found that:
Around half of the people surveyed reported having a food allergy diagnosed by a doctor.
Approximately 7% of the population had other severe food reactions not caused by immunoglobulin (IgE).
Seven in 10 adults reported that their food allergies developed in adulthood.
IgE is an antibody that helps the body fight parasitic infections, such as malaria. In some cases, the body can produce IgE against environmental agents, such as pollen, dust, and food, leading to the development of allergies.
Most common food allergies in the UK (vs. other allergies)
Of the 81,256 media articles analysed by Chemist4U containing allergies, around two-fifths (40.5%) covered the topic of nut allergies, followed by almost a third (31.6%) for milk allergies.
Media analysis of the most common allergies in the UK (vs. other allergies)
Allergy
No. of articles
Sum of journalist shares
Sum of journalist reach
Sum of total engagement
Average of total engagement
Sum of articles (Nov 23 to Oct 24)
Sum of articles past 12 months (Nov 24 to Oct 25)
Shift of interest (%)
Nut allergy
32,894
1,562
67,812,083
2,993,455
185
9,694
9,510
-0.02
Milk allergy
25,687
558
20,340,451
1,217,981
75
6,825
8,509
0.25
Latex allergy
9,997
142
4,310,065
169,586
35
3,200
2,776
-0.13
Dog allergy
6,626
218
12,154,790
106,291
47
1,304
1,970
0.51
Penicillin allergy
6,052
261
24,345,824
135,238
57
1,775
1,296
-0.27
(Source: Chemist4U via MuckRack)
Journalistic shares - the total number of journalists who have shared a link on X (Twitter). This gives an idea of how many times a story has been boosted by credible/influential sources, as well as journalists.
Journalistic reach - the cumulative number of X (Twitter) followers that the journalist has who tweeted the link/story. Total engagement - the number of times a link was shared, commented on, or liked on social media.
Average total engagement - total engagement divided by the number of links.
Shift of interest - the percentage change in the total number of articles between two dates.
Our findings also show that:
Stories containing nut allergies had the highest average total engagement (185). This was more than double the amount compared to those about milk allergies.
Nut allergy article links were shared, commented on, or liked almost three million times between November 2023 and October 2025 (more than double the amount for milk allergy stories).
Journalistic shares and the reach of nut allergy articles were about three times greater than those for milk allergies.
The number of articles about milk allergies increased by almost a quarter (24.7%) between 2023/24 and 2024/25. This was contrasted by a similar decrease in the total number of media stories about penicillin allergies (-27%).
Articles on dog allergies saw the largest increase between 2023/24 and 2024/25, rising by 51.1%.
"The increased media coverage around allergies is a positive thing, as it helps to raise awareness and can be lifesaving. People become more mindful about checking ingredients, restaurants take allergies more seriously, and parents know what warning signs to look for.
"The rise in coverage of dog allergies and milk allergies shows people are talking about these issues more openly, which reduces stigma and encourages others to seek help. That said, not all information online is reliable, and it's easy to fall down a rabbit hole of conflicting advice.
"If you're concerned about allergies, stick to trusted sources like the NHS website, Allergy UK, or speak directly to a healthcare professional, like your GP or a pharmacist team, such as Chemist4U."
Most common eating habits in the UK over time (2020-30)
Eating habit
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025*
2026**
2027**
2028**
2029**
2030**
Dairy-free
5%
6%
6%
6%
7%
6%
7%
6%
8%
7%
8%
Gluten-free
3%
3%
3%
4%
4%
3%
4%
4%
4%
4%
4%
Nut-free
2%
2%
2%
1%
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
0%
1%
None of these
74%
73%
74%
74%
71%
76%
72%
76%
72%
76%
73%
Don't know
2%
3%
4%
2%
3%
2%
3%
3%
3%
3%
3%
(Source: Chemist4U via YouGov)
* Data source goes up to July 2025. Yearly average calculated from available data (January to July) and forecasted figures from August to December
** Forecasted data
As of 2025, an estimated 6% of the UK population opted for a dairy-free diet (twice as common as those who ate gluten-free food).
Assuming that people adopt these diets to avoid certain foods and prevent allergic reactions, we conclude that 10% of the UK population in 2025 is allergic to dairy, gluten, and/or nuts.
Did you know?
Just under half (48%) of consumers claim that they or someone they live with avoids at least one food type or ingredient due to allergies.
Around three-fifths (61%) of those aged 16 to 24 report avoiding certain foods to help manage their allergies (the highest proportion across all age groups).
Nut allergy statistics
According to Anaphylaxis UK, peanut and tree nut allergies affect around one in every 200 adults in the UK (or 0.5%) and are one of the most common foods to cause anaphylaxis.
In the UK, the most common age for developing a nut allergy is before age five. However, adults can experience allergic symptoms later in life, even if they ate nuts as children.
Those with an existing peanut allergy are 30% to 40% more likely to develop a tree nut allergy, as similar proteins are found in both types of foods.
There are eight tree nuts in the tree nut family, including:
almonds
Brazil nut
cashew
hazelnut
macadamia
pecan
pistachio
walnut
shea nut
How many people are allergic to nuts?
Around one in every 200 adults.
UK asthma statistics
Asthma is one of the most common long-term, chronic health conditions in the world, affecting people of all ages.
Asthma accounts for approximately 2-3% of primary care consultations in the UK. It can severely impact people’s everyday lives, leading to 60,000 hospital admissions and 200,000 bed days yearly.
How many people in the UK have asthma?
There are an estimated 7.2 million people in the UK with asthma, impacting around eight in every 100 people.
With approximately 160,000 people diagnosed each year in the UK, this means around 5.4 million people across the country are receiving asthma treatment.
It’s estimated that between 9% and 15% of adult-onset asthma is attributed to work-based or occupational asthma.
Asthma prevalence data from the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) estimate that in 2023/24, more than 3.89 million people in England aged six or older had an asthma diagnosis.
How many people die from asthma attacks each year in the UK?
The NHS estimates that roughly every 10 seconds, someone has a potentially life-threatening asthma attack.
Approximately four people die every day in the UK due to asthma attacks, with two out of three deaths considered preventable.
UK anaphylaxis statistics
How common is anaphylaxis?
According to estimates from the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation (NARF), one in every 1,333 people in England has experienced anaphylaxis at some point in their lives.
Number of hospital admissions in England due to anaphylaxis over time (2002-24)
UK anaphylaxis statistics from HES and NHS England show that there were 4,323 recorded hospital admissions in 2023/24 due to some form of anaphylaxis. This represented an increase of 17.8% from 2022/23 and +119.6% (more than double) compared to 2002/03 figures.
As of 2023/24, less than half (45.6%) of recorded anaphylactic hospital admissions were due to an unspecified shock, followed by just under two-fifths (39.5%), which were caused by adverse food reactions.
Anaphylaxis research by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) found that, between 1998 and 2018, 101,891 people across the UK were admitted to hospital with anaphylaxis. Around three in 10 (30.1%) of these cases were triggered by food.
Their analysis of national allergy data showed that, during this time:
Food anaphylaxis admissions increased from 1.23 per 100,000 to 4.04 per 100,000 (an average annual increase of 5.7%).
152 deaths occurred in the UK where the fatal event was likely caused by food anaphylaxis.
The UK’s anaphylaxis fatality rate dropped from 0.7% to 0.19% for confirmed fatal food anaphylaxis and to 0.3% for suspected fatal food anaphylaxis.
46% of anaphylaxis-related deaths were triggered by a peanut or tree nut allergy, with cow’s milk responsible for 26% of anaphylaxis deaths in school-aged children.
Prescriptions for adrenaline autoinjectors more than quadrupled (+336%).
How many deaths per year are caused by anaphylaxis?
As of 2018, there were 7,936 registered deaths in England due to anaphylaxis (most recent data available). Our analysis of allergy statistics suggests that this figure could reach 8,568 by the end of 2025, a rise of almost 8% in seven years.
Number of deaths per year in England due to anaphylaxis
Based on ONS death certificate data, there were 6,727 anaphylaxis-related deaths across England in 2001 (the lowest figure on record).
With relatively steady year-on-year growth in the number of anaphylaxis deaths across the country, our forecasts suggest that a 2025 figure of 8,568 would represent an increase of more than a quarter (27.4%) in almost two-and-a-half decades.
Did you know?
One study cited by Anaphylaxis UK found that fatal reactions to food are most likely to happen between the ages of 17 and 27.
Number of regional deaths in England due to anaphylaxis (2025)
Region
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019*
2020*
2021*
2022*
2023*
2024*
2025*
North East
306
332
400
347
343
340
336
333
329
325
322
North West
982
1,043
992
971
1,001
1,004
1,008
1,011
1,015
1,019
1,022
Yorkshire and the Humber
638
641
676
671
647
647
648
649
649
650
650
East Midlands
684
673
713
716
738
753
768
783
798
812
827
West Midlands
1,021
1,022
1,085
1,131
1,085
1,119
1,113
1,147
1,140
1,175
1,168
East of England
940
1,010
1,060
1,074
1,011
1,046
1,118
1,155
1,087
1,123
1,195
London
1,081
1,081
1,102
1,097
1,156
1,175
1,194
1,212
1,231
1,249
1,268
South East
1,287
1,240
1,298
1,300
1,311
1,321
1,332
1,342
1,353
1,363
1,374
South West
727
784
729
629
724
727
730
733
736
739
742
(Source: Chemist4U via ONS)
*Forecasted data
Based on our predictions, around 16% of anaphylaxis deaths in 2025 will be based in the South East of England, the highest proportion across all regions. With an estimated figure of 1,374, this would represent an increase of almost 5.7% from 2018 (the last year for which the ONS collected data on deaths from anaphylaxis).
This would put the South East marginally ahead of London, with a projected 1,268 deaths expected in 2025. This indicates a 15.6% rise over seven years.
Percentage change in the number of regional deaths in the UK due to anaphylaxis over time (2001-25)
On average, the number of anaphylaxis deaths in England grew by 5% between 2001 and 2025. The largest percentage change in reported data was observed between 2005 and 2010 (9.3%), followed by 0.9% between 2010 and 2015 (the smallest percentage growth period).
"The rise in deaths could be linked to more people developing severe allergies, but it might also reflect gaps in awareness, access to treatment, or delays in using adrenaline auto-injectors when they're needed.
"Regional differences are harder to pin down, but factors like population density, access to emergency care, and even environmental triggers could play a role. Urban areas like London have higher populations, which partly explains the numbers, but we need to ensure everyone has equal access to allergy services regardless of where they live.
"If you have a known severe allergy, always carry two adrenaline auto-injectors and make sure you and those around you know how to use them. Don't wait to see if your symptoms get worse; if you're having an allergic reaction with breathing difficulties, swelling, or feeling faint, use your auto-injector immediately and call 999. Early warning signs can include tingling lips, hives or stomach pain."
From 2001 to the projected figures for 2025, London and the East of England are expected to see an average percentage growth of 10% in the number of anaphylaxis-related deaths (the joint-highest across all regions).
This is contrasted by the North East, which has a predicted average decrease of -5% during the same period. This makes it the only region to report a negative change between 2001 and 2025.
The highest percentage change in anaphylaxis deaths during this period was in London, where figures rose by almost two-fifths (38%) between 2005 and 2010. Conversely, the North East experienced a drop of 12% in deaths due to anaphylaxis in 2001-05 and 2010-15 (the biggest decreases on record).
UK hay fever statistics
Allergic rhinitis is the medical term for the inflammation of the nasal lining, triggered by an allergic reaction to an external substance. If this is caused by pollen, it’s commonly known as hay fever.
In the UK, the pollen season usually runs from March to November, when pollen counts across the country are generally higher.
Pollen count refers to the amount of pollen per cubic metre over the previous 24 hours and provides a forecast of the pollen risk in the coming days.
Hay fever symptoms usually kick in when the pollen count exceeds 50, but this can vary depending on the type of pollen.
For example, a reading of 50 to 150 grains per m³ is considered high for grass pollen, compared to 81 to 200 grains per m³ for birch pollen.
Hay fever commonly develops during childhood, but can be triggered at any age. Those with eczema or asthma are also more likely to suffer from hay fever.
Different types of allergens peak at other times of the pollen season, depending on the hay fever calendar:
In the UK, for example:
Tree pollen usually occurs from March until mid-May and affects about 25% of people.
Grass pollen typically starts spreading between mid-May and July (the most common cause of hay fever)
Weed pollen can be produced and released at any time of the year, but is typically high between the end of June and September.
The prevalence of hay fever can also be influenced by the temperature.
Grass pollen is particularly high between 18℃ and 28℃, compared to tree pollen, which is more common in milder temperatures (12℃ and 15℃).
Pollen levels tend to reduce when air temperatures rise above 28℃.
How many people have hay fever in the UK?
Hay fever is quite common in the UK, with the number of cases tripling in the last 20 years.
According to Allergy UK, hay fever affects between 10% and 15% of children and around a quarter (26%) of adults in the UK. This is roughly in line with estimates from the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation (NARF), which suggests approximately 16 million people across the UK suffer from hay fever.
Hay fever statistics also suggest that these people are four times more likely to suffer from other allergic conditions, such as asthma, eczema, and food allergies.
A range of hay fever treatments is available to help manage the effects of allergic rhinitis. From nasal sprays to antihistamine tablets, there’s something out there for everyone to reduce the impacts of hay fever for every sufferer.
UK child allergy statistics
Most common allergies in children
According to Allergy UK, 40% of children in the UK have been diagnosed with an allergy, the most common of which are food, eczema, asthma, and hay fever.
The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation (NARF) states that between 6% and 8% of children under three years old have a food allergy. This is supported by allergy statistics from Allergy UK, which estimate that almost one in 12 children has a food allergy. They claim that around 2% (one in 50) of young people in the UK have a peanut or tree nut allergy.
Peanut allergies tend to be persistent, with approximately one in five children outgrowing their allergy by age 10.
Between 30% and 40% of children with peanut allergies will be allergic to at least one tree nut.
An allergy research study cited by Anaphylaxis UK found that 5% of children with legume allergies reacted to more than one legume.
People with peanut allergies may worry that touching or smelling nuts could trigger a severe reaction. However, allergy research suggests this might not be as common as expected.
A study cited by Anaphylaxis UK found that, when 30 children with a severe peanut allergy had contact with peanut butter through touch or smell:
None of them experienced anaphylaxis or reacted to the smell.
A third had a mild reaction to touch (redness, itching, or a slight rash), which was not deemed serious and did not require medication.
At least nine out of 10 children with similar allergies would not have a severe reaction. However, the study examined only peanut butter, not other forms of peanuts.
Another study placed 84 children at a distance of 0.5 metres from a bowl of peanuts for 30 minutes. None of them had a moderate or severe reaction.
An analysis of peanut protein in the air found levels so low that researchers concluded it’s unlikely to affect those with peanut allergies.
Did you know?
Between 10% and 20% of children are thought to outgrow their nut allergies by the age of four or five, but this can vary from child to child. Regular reviews with an allergy specialist can be critical in helping them manage their condition and ensure they’re on the right healthcare plan.
Number of hospital admissions for asthma in England for those aged under 19 over time (2017-23)
According to the most recent data, 41,185 people under the age of 19 were admitted to hospitals between 2020/21 and 2022/23 due to asthma.
This represents a year-on-year decline in the number of young people attending hospital for asthma-related reasons since 2017/18, when the figure stood at 66,231.
Overall, this highlights that hospital admissions for under-19s due to asthma fell by almost two-fifths (37.8%) over six years.
How many children die each year from allergies in the UK?
Number of UK child deaths due to asthma
There were 54 child deaths in the UK due to asthma between April 2019 and March 2023, resulting in approximately one death every four weeks.
The highest asthma death rate was found in those aged 15 to 17 (2.07 per one million children), followed by 10 to 14 year olds (1.61 per one million).
Findings from Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership Ltd. (HQIP) show that:
87% of these asthma deaths in children involved cardiac arrests that took place at home or in a public place.
All the children who died had been exposed to air pollution levels above WHO guidelines.
27% of deaths involved children who were born before 37 weeks of gestation or with a birthweight of less than 2.5kg.
65% had attended an emergency department or had an emergency admission in the 12 months before their death.
The asthma death rate was four times higher in children from more deprived areas compared to those from less deprived neighbourhoods.
87% of those who died had three or more reliever inhalers.
Number of UK child deaths due to anaphylaxis
There were 19 child deaths in the UK due to anaphylaxis between April 2019 and March 2023, averaging at five deaths per year.
The highest death rate was in those aged 15 to 17 years (1.29 per one million children), followed by 10 to 14 year-olds (0.51 per one million).
An analysis of anaphylaxis statistics from the National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) found that:
Just over half (53%) of these anaphylactic deaths happened at home or at the house of a friend/relative.
Almost half (47%) of children who died due to anaphylaxis during this period had attended an emergency department in the year before their death.
All children who died of anaphylaxis between 2019 and 2023 with known allergies also suffered from asthma.
"These figures show us that many of these deaths could potentially be prevented with better asthma management and allergy awareness. If your child is using their blue inhaler more than three times a week, that's a sign to see your GP or asthma nurse. They may need a review of their preventer inhaler and an updated asthma plan.
"Every child with food allergies and asthma needs to carry two adrenaline auto-injectors, and parents, teachers, and carers must know how to use them. Don't wait to see if it gets better – use it and call 999. It's also vital to keep on top of regular asthma reviews, even when things seem stable.
"Air quality matters too, so check pollution levels and keep children indoors on high-risk days. And if your child has been to A&E for asthma or allergies, make sure you follow up with your GP."
Aquagenic urticaria is considered one of the rarest allergies, with only about 50 reported cases.
First reported in 1964, aquagenic urticaria causes hives on the skin after contact with water. It often affects women, and the hives can last 30 minutes to 2 hours before resolving.
Who has the most allergies in the world?
Australia is considered to have the highest prevalence of allergies in the world, with 10% of infants developing a food allergy within the first year of their life.
Around three-quarters of those with allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, and seafood carry them into adulthood.
A 2024 study by Peters et al found that:
36.5% of those aged six and 38.2% of those aged 10 had at least one allergy, with around a third affected by two or more.
Food allergies were present in around 6.4% of participants, with less than half (45%) having a persistent condition by age 10.
The asthma rates for 6-year-olds and 10-year-olds were 12.1% and 13.1%, respectively. The prevalence of eczema dropped from 15.3% at age six to 12.9% by age 10.
The frequency of allergic rhinitis (hay fever) rose from 15.1% for those aged six to 25% for 10-year-olds.
What is the allergy rate in the UK?
The allergy rate in the UK is around one in three people.
What percentage of the population has an allergy?
Estimates of the percentage of the UK population with an allergy vary by source. However, most claim it’s around a third (33%).
What are the 14 main allergens in the UK?
The 14 main allergens in the UK are:
Celery
Cereals containing gluten
Crustaceans
Eggs
Fish
Lupin
Milk
Molluscs
Mustard
Nuts
Peanuts
Sesame seeds
Soya
Sulphur dioxide
What eight foods are responsible for 90% of allergies?
90% of food allergies can be attributed to eight food items: cow’s milk, eggs, fish, peanuts, shellfish, tree nuts, soya, and wheat.
Most common allergies in the UK, based on Google Trends data
Chemist4U sought to identify the most common allergies in the UK by analysing Google Trends data.
Commonly known allergies were categorised into the following groups (materials, drugs, environment, and food), with allergies in each group compared to one another to determine the most popular for those categories.
The top result from each allergy category was selected and then compared with the others. This would help determine the most commonly searched-for allergy.
Historic data was then forecast for the remaining months of 2025 (November and December) to calculate an average for the year and for each year up to 2030.
The forecasting method used in this study and others in this report is called exponential smoothing. This is particularly useful for time-series forecasting, as it accounts for seasonal trends and patterns in the data.
Note: Google Trends data is measured as an index score out of 100 (as opposed to actual search volumes). So, this represents a relative measure of popularity rather than an exact one.
Most common allergies in the UK, based on media coverage
Data were collected via Muck Rack (a media database) for media articles on commonly known allergies published between November 2023 and October 2025.
In total, 81,256 media articles were analysed to determine the:
Number of articles for each allergy
Total journalistic share and reach
Average and sum of total engagement
The shift of interest (i.e. the percentage change between the sum of articles from November 2023 to October 2024 and the sum of articles from November 2024 to October 2025). This showcases which allergies were becoming more or less reported in the media.
Most common eating habits in the UK over time
Using historical data from a YouGov survey on food intolerances and eating habits in the UK, forecasts were made for the remaining months of 2025 and beyond to see how these trends might change in the coming years.
For this analysis, only those eating habits that were directly linked to food intolerances were selected. This removed any examples from the list that might be related to preferences (e.g., sugar-free and meat-free) or cultural reasons (e.g., halal and kosher).
This left those who opt for a diet free of dairy, nuts, and gluten.
Note: For this study, it was assumed that the intolerance was due to an allergy (i.e. people chose a nut-free diet because they’re allergic to nuts, not because they don’t like nuts).
Number of deaths per year due to anaphylaxis
Historic ONS data from 2001 to 2018 were used to forecast the number of deaths caused by anaphylaxis from 2019 to 2025.
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