Allergy – a special feature

I write this the day after my eldest son was, for the third time, hospitalised with an allergic reaction. The first, when he was just three years old, nearly killed him. So much changed on that day. 

Living with allergy, as parents, is so fraught that I can barely hope to imagine what it's like for him. So I'm pleased to see our collection of articles, starting on p.28, which consider psychological perspectives on growing from child to adult under the shadow of anaphylaxis. How do young people, and their friends and relatives, balance the urge to protect with the need for independence and to lead a normal life?

Allergy – Insider perspectives

Khadj Rouf and Kathryn Evans on the challenges of parenting children with severe allergies

Growing up with allergy 

Audrey DunnGalvin

Can interventions make a difference? 

Rebecca Knibb considers attempts to reduce the psychological impact of allergy

'I haven't said goodbye to my kids' 

Béré Mahoney, Eleanor Bradley, Elaine Walklet and Steve O'Hickey on living with anaphylaxis in adulthood

Find more on allergy in our archive.

Illustration: Napal Naps