Allergies and Benedict’s Law

A Lifesaving Change for Schools: Talking Allergies with Dr Rosie

This week’s health update with Dr Rosie focuses on an important new step forward for children with allergies: Benedict’s Law.

Named in memory of five-year-old Benedict Blythe, who tragically died from anaphylaxis at school in 2021, the law follows a determined campaign by his family through the Benedict Blythe Foundation. Its aim is simple but vital: to make sure schools are better prepared to recognise allergic reactions and respond quickly when every second counts.

From September 2026, schools in England are required to follow strengthened statutory guidance on allergy safety. That includes keeping spare adrenaline auto-injectors — often known as allergy pens — on site, providing allergy awareness and emergency-response training for staff, having a whole-school allergy policy, and putting individual healthcare plans in place for pupils who need them.

For families living with allergies, it is a change that could quite literally save lives.

Allergies Aren’t Just About Nuts

When we think of childhood allergies, nuts often spring to mind first. Awareness of nut allergies has grown enormously over the years, and rightly so.

But Dr Rosie explains that one of the most common food allergies in babies and young children is actually cow’s milk allergy — an allergy to proteins found in milk. It is considered the most common food allergy in infants and young children in the UK.

That can surprise many parents, especially because milk is such a normal part of childhood. But for a child with a milk allergy, even a small amount can trigger a reaction.

Signs to Watch For

Allergic reactions can vary from child to child, and symptoms may appear quickly — although with some allergies, including cow’s milk allergy, they can sometimes take longer to develop.

Signs of an allergic reaction can include:

• Swelling of the lips, face, tongue or eyes

• An itchy red rash, hives or a flare-up of eczema

• Itchy, watery eyes or a runny nose

• Coughing, wheezing or difficulty breathing

• Vomiting, tummy pain or diarrhoea

• In severe cases, throat tightening, drowsiness or collapse — signs of anaphylaxisnhs+2

If a child has difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue or throat, or appears faint, drowsy or unresponsive, this is a medical emergency. Call 999 immediately and use an adrenaline auto-injector if one has been prescribed and is available.

What Can We All Do?

The good news is that awareness saves lives.

If your child has an allergy, make sure their school, nursery, childminder and anyone who cares for them knows exactly what they are allergic to, what symptoms to look for, and what to do in an emergency. Keep medication up to date, clearly labelled and accessible.

For everyone else, it helps to take allergies seriously. Ask before offering food, read labels carefully, and never assume that a “little bit” is safe.

And if you see someone having a severe allergic reaction, stay calm, call 999, and help them use their adrenaline pen if they have one.

A Legacy of Protection

Benedict’s Law is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly an allergic reaction can become an emergency. But it is also a powerful example of how a family’s courage and determination can help protect future generations of children.

As Dr Rosie explains in this week’s edition, understanding allergies — from milk to nuts and beyond — helps us all become a little more prepared, a little more compassionate, and potentially lifesaving when it matters most.

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HEALTH