Food allergy continues to be a public health concern widely reported in developed countries. In the UK an estimated 6% to 8% of children have a food allergy, while an estimated 20% have eczema (atopic dermatitis) (Williams et al 2012). Difficulty in measuring food allergy and a lack of up-to-date statistics means these figures could be significantly higher. Food allergy and eczema in children can be worrying for families. Nurses working in primary care can play an important role in recognising, diagnosing and helping families to manage their child's allergic disease.