In 1930 a group of distinguished immunologists and clinicians saw the emergence of a blossoming new area in medicine and formed the Asthma Research Club, and later in 1948 the British Association of Allergists; this changed its name to the British Allergy Society in 1962. Interest in Allergy grew under the careful guidance of such distinguished members as Bill Frankland, Jack Pepys and Sir Cyril Clarke. A need was perceived for widening the Society’s scope and Clinical Immunology was incorporated into the title in 1973.

This was fortuitous because over the last decades there has been an explosion of interest in the immunological mechanisms of allergic disease. With this in mind efforts have been made to increase the basic science input into the Society. This has led to an upsurge of interest in Allergy as a branch of Immunology and the recognition that the discipline embraces many subspecialties in medicine that were not previously well reflected in the Society. Recognizing  the confusion  about Allergy and its causes among members of the public, the BSACI decided to set up special interest groups including paediatrics, ENT, dermatology and gastroenterology with a remit to promote understanding  of the contribution of Allergy to diseases within these disciplines and thus improve management .

In addition regular Regional meetings are arranged across the UK for primary and secondary care professionals to raise awareness in Allergy and initiate education focused on the community practice of this speciality.

A Standards of Care Committee has been set up to provide guidelines in each area of clinical Allergy , thus far those on urticaria, rhinitis and rhinosinusitis have been produced and are available to members on the BSACI website at www.bsaci.org.

Information leaflets have been generated on aspects such as milk allergy, latex allergy , house dust mite avoidance etc.. These are available from the website for members to download and give to patients.  There is also a member’s forum on the site for anyone who wishes to ask for help or information from others in the Society.