2023 was a year of great progress in research, with new treatments, prevention strategies and improvements in diagnostic tests on the horizon. We look back at some of the highlights.

It’s one of the most romantic days of the year, but Valentine’s Day can present challenges for people with serious allergies. Allergens can find their way into foods, places and situations, such as chocolates, restaurants and romantic encounters, making it difficult to relax if you have a serious allergy. See our suggestions for keeping date night free from allergic reactions.

ALK have announced that it has completed the first part of its phase 1 clinical trial known as ALLIANCE for a new immunotherapy tablet for peanut allergy. The trial will now progress into its second part, expected to complete later in 2024.

Novartis, the Swiss pharmaceutical company, has halted its phase 3 study of the biologic drug ligelizumab for peanut allergy this January, but plans to launch a new study at a different dose. If approved, the study will begin in Autumn 2024.

Chair of the Anaphylaxis UK’s Clinical and Scientific Panel, Dr Helen Evans-Howells, covers a bonus episode of Talking General Practice, a podcast from GP online. She talks to editor Emma Bower about how GPs and other health professionals can manage infants with signs of cow’s milk allergy and offers her advice on how to support parents.

Anaphylaxis UK offer their condolences to the family and friends of James Atkinson who sadly passed away following anaphylaxis due to a peanut allergy in July 2020

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) would like to see written allergen information be mandated for foods provided when eating out. The FSA Board met in December 2023 and will write to Ministers to discuss the Board’s view.

A new review of the existing evidence, published in the British Medical Journal (the BMJ), has found that introducing allergen-containing food to infants’ diets from the age of 4 to 12 months was associated with a lower risk of multiple food allergies and eczema.

Researchers from the Aston University aim to explore potential predictors of anxiety and quality of life in parents of children with food allergies, with intentions of gaining a greater understanding surrounding the complexities of caring for children with these medical needs.