Tough time for allergy sufferers

Although this summer has not been the sunniest of seasons, it has not meant a let-up for allergy sufferers, one expert has said.

Muriel Simmons of national medical charity Allergy UK, said that this has been a year of high pollen counts, meaning that those with hayfever may be experiencing difficulties.

In addition, she said, it will soon be the start of the indoor allergy season, so people with other allergies will not be spared.

"There are lots of different allergies, basically you can develop a reaction to almost anything," Ms Simmons explained.

"Can you imagine being so affected by asthma, eczema and food allergies et cetera that it is impossible to go out or work? That, I'm afraid, is the situation for many allergy sufferers."

Research from the charity shows that one in three people suffer from an allergy at some point in their lives.

In addition, people with an allergy rarely suffer from just one, meaning that those with hayfever may also have asthma or eczema.

According to NHS Direct, most things that cause allergies are not obviously harmful, and have no effect on people who are not allergic.
The number of people affected by allergies rises every year, with one study showing that the number of children who are allergic to nuts has doubled in a ten-year period.