Colin Jackson raising awareness of allergies

Around one in three British adults have at least one allergy-related disorder but despite this high figure reactions to allergens are often left undiagnosed or are suffered in silence.

For most people exposed to allergens like pollen or dust mites, they don’t pose a threat but if you have an allergy your immune system will overreact when exposed.

As a result, common allergy symptoms can include; sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy eyes and wheezing in the case of airborne allergens but, in extreme circumstances, when exposed to some foods or insect stings, life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Research published today by allergy experts Klarify reveals:

• More than two-thirds of people ( 67%) feel their allergy isn’t taken seriously.
• Even though there’s an array of allergy solutions at hand, 84% of allergy sufferers who took part in the survey had tried a remedy that hasn’t work.
• 9 out of 10 say they think there needs to be more funding and research for allergy conditions as it has such an impact on our daily routines. There is one allergy specialist for every 700,000 allergy sufferers in the UK.
• 84% of sufferers reported losing some sort of sleep due to allergy, which can leave them feeling exhausted the next day.
• 90% argued that more research and money should be done and spent on allergies

Aston spoke to former Olympic sprinter Colin Jackson and Philip Vaering Petersen, pharmacist at Klarify to discuss the research and campaign in further detail.