The effect of the allergy on quality of life depends on factors such as how difficult it is to avoid the allergen and the severity of the allergic reactions. For example, having certain food allergies can disrupt daily activities and social events including:

It is often when parents/carers or pupils repeatedly encounter frustrations in the management of the allergy that quality of life starts to be affected.

Generally, quality of life is worse in older children with food allergies, those who have experienced severe symptoms and those with multiple food allergies.

Patients with allergic disease have a worse quality of life compared to other chronic diseases, such as diabetes.