Kent Mum Spotlight: Allergy Awareness - Ashleigh Smith

It’s that time again.

The end of another month (where, oh where, is 2026 going already?!)

And the point at which I would usually introduce you to one of our amazing local Mums in Business.

This month, however, I wanted to do something a little different…

So instead of introducing you to a Kent Mum in Business, I want to shine a spotlight on an incredible local Mum on a mission to raise awareness about an incredibly important topic that affects her family every single day.

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This is the utterly lovely Ashleigh Smith.

I first met Ashleigh when she booked me for a newborn shoot 2 years ago and we have been in touch ever since…

I recently spent a lovely morning with Ashleigh and her beautiful children (l can’t believe how much they have grown!)

…and (in between the books, tickles and hairdressing!!) Ashleigh shared her story…

How she navigates multiple food allergies, the realities of life as an allergy-Mum, and why raising awareness is something she feels so passionately about…

Can you tell us about your son’s allergies and how they became a part of your family’s life?

As a baby, my son Regan suffered with severe eczema and we didn’t know why. Whatever we tried we couldn’t seem to get on top of it.

We decided to see a dermatologist privately and it was he who put allergies on our radar. That was where our allergy journey began.

During weaning, Regan appeared to suffer several allergic reactions, and it was this that prompted us to get him tested.

After various skin prick and blood tests, along with his history of reactions, it was confirmed he had immediate (IgE mediated) type allergies to cow’s milk, wheat, egg, soya, banana, kiwi, avocado and legumes.

Thankfully over time, with the help of his medical team, he has outgrown a few of those allergies and we are currently doing Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) for his wheat allergy, in the hope it will build up his tolerance.

What does everyday life look like for you as a mum managing a child’s allergies?

For me, as an allergy mum, you don’t get a day off from allergies.

Allergies affect every aspect of our lives.

From triple-checking ingredient labels and preparing endless packed lunches, to meeting with the school and deciding whether parties or social events are safe to attend — every situation involving food requires careful thought and risk assessment.

I cook most meals from scratch to ensure they’re safe, and even the simplest outings, including holidays take a lot planning. The list is endless!

We juggle our lives around frequent hospital appointments, travelling up to London every other week, alongside the daily underlying anxiety of potentially receiving a phone call from school.

I find it hard to completely switch off.

We don’t ever go anywhere without his emergency medication which are his Epipens, antihistamine and inhaler. It’s such a habit now that I sometimes even go to pick them up when he’s not with me!

But in between the worry, there is resilience.

We’ve learned to be organised, prepared, and adaptable.

Managing allergies has become part of our normal — not because it’s easy, but because it’s necessary to keep our son safe.

What are some of the biggest misconceptions or things people don’t realise about childhood allergies?

I think when people think of food allergies, they tend to think of people avoiding the food they’re allergic to, but there’s a lot more to it than that.

They come with a constant mental load that most people never see.

It’s not just about the allergy. It’s about the emotional impact, the anxiety, the planning, and the feeling of navigating a world that isn’t built with your child in mind.

And while you’re managing all of that, you’re also watching your child navigate a world where they are often the one who is different.

The one who can’t have the cake.

The one who brings their own treat.

The one who has to ask questions when everyone else just eats.

That’s the really heart-breaking part.

Another huge misconception is that nuts are the only thing people can be allergic to.

I’m often asked if he’s allergic to nuts and when I reply with “fortunately not” I’m met with a “phew!”

However, you can in fact be allergic to any food.

What nuts are to some people, wheat is for Regan. That is his nemesis and what he is anaphylactic to.

And last but not least, peanuts are not actually a nut, they are a legume and often get confused with tree nuts, but they are two separate things.

What advice would you give to other parents navigating childhood allergies?

When you first receive that diagnosis, it can feel overwhelming.

You wonder what your child can actually eat and what life will look like for them in a society that is predominantly based around food.

Over time, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Some days are heavy.

Some days you feel like you’re just treading water.

And when no one else around you lives with allergies, it can feel incredibly lonely — like they just don’t truly “get it.”

You find ways to manage life with allergies and do your best to keep your child safe.

You become their best advocate.

Don’t be afraid to reach out for support, whether that is seeking professional support or to another allergy parent or carer.

There is a fantastic supportive allergy community out there and they walk this path with you.

People often say to me, “I don’t know how you do it.”

And my answer is simple: I do it because I love my son. He is my reason. He is my why, and that’s what gets you through.

Oh, and most importantly, if your child is prescribed an adrenaline autoinjector, such as an Epipen. Please always remember to carry two with you at all times.

Why is raising awareness so important to you, and what would you like people to understand after reading this?

I think it’s so important to raise awareness about allergies and how severe they can be.

There is still so much misinformation and misunderstanding surrounding food allergies, which often means they aren’t fully recognised for what they are — potentially life-threatening medical conditions.

Allergies aren’t a preference, or a lifestyle choice they’re a medical condition that can be serious and life threatening.

They require constant vigilance, careful planning, and an awareness of risks that most people never have to think about.

For families like ours, they shape everyday decisions — from food shopping and eating out to school events and social occasions.

My hope is that by sharing our story, people will see beyond “just an allergy” and understand the weight families like ours carry every single day.

Because for us, awareness is about safety, inclusion, and peace of mind.

And if using my voice helps protect not only my child but others like him, then I will keep speaking up.

If you would like to know more about this incredibly important topic, Ashleigh has recommended the following resources:

Natasha Allergy Research Foundation:  https://www.narf.org.uk/

Allergy UK:  https://www.allergyuk.org/ 

Claire x