Dr Helen Allergy
Dr Helen Allergy celebrates four years of pioneering allergy care
From one mother’s experience of anaphylaxis to a specialist service transforming lives across the UK and Ireland.
Dr Helen Allergy is celebrating its fourth birthday, marking four years of specialist allergy care, clinical innovation and compassionate support for families living with allergies.
The Ringwood clinic was founded by GP and allergy specialist Dr Helen Evans-Howells after her son, Ethan, experienced a serious allergic reaction to milk during weaning.
“One moment we were introducing a new food and the next I was a first-time mum holding my baby as he reacted,” said Dr Helen. “Despite being a doctor, I felt utterly helpless. It changed the course of my life.”
Determined to give families the knowledge and reassurance she had needed, Dr Helen retrained in allergy, completed a Master’s degree and worked with the Southampton Allergy Team before opening her own clinic.
As demand grew, the service moved to larger premises in Ringwood and became the UK’s first clinic dedicated to delivering allergy care for both adults and children.
Today, Dr Helen Allergy supports patients from across the UK and Ireland through a multidisciplinary team of allergy specialists, dietitians, specialist nurses and psychological support. Many team members also have first-hand experience of allergies, either personally or as parents.
“Families often arrive frightened and overwhelmed,” said Dr Helen. “Our aim is for them to leave feeling listened to, informed and reassured, with a clear plan for moving forward.”
The clinic offers evidence-based treatments including oral immunotherapy, known as OIT, which carefully introduces controlled amounts of an allergen under specialist supervision to build tolerance and reduce the fear of accidental exposure.
It became the first UK clinic to offer immunotherapy to adults for food allergens beyond peanut and, with international collaboration, the first UK centre to provide sublingual immunotherapy to both adults and children.
Its reach now extends to Belfast, where a satellite service at Dundonald Consulting Rooms became the first clinic in Northern Ireland to offer children access to a wide range of immunotherapy treatments.
Alongside its clinical work, Dr Helen Allergy supports charities, trains healthcare professionals and provides education through television, radio, print, books, podcasts and public events. Dr Helen is also a trustee and Chair of the Scientific Panel for Anaphylaxis UK.
After being diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer, Dr Helen continued supporting patients around her treatment. Now in remission, she says the experience strengthened her commitment to compassionate, person-centred care.
“What began as one mum wanting to make things better has grown one step at a time,” she said. “We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved in four years, but even more excited about what comes next.”
CONTACT
Tel. 01202 022 956
Email. info@drhelenallergy.co.uk
Address. Dr Helen Allergy & Dr Helen Medical, Endeavour House, Crow Arch Lane, Ringwood BH24 1HP
