A student at Huddersfield University is helping to alert people to the dangers of life-threatening allergies.

Daniel Kelly, a final year graphic design student who himself has a severe nut allergy, has created an innovative booklet and magazine to raise awareness of anaphylaxis – the medical term for a severe allergic reaction that can be life threatening.

About 20 people a year die from the condition in the UK – with those most at risk aged between 16 and 25.

But a survey by the Anaphylaxis Campaign found that 44% of 520-plus 15 to 25-year-old sufferers polled didn’t always carry their Adrenaline Auto Injectors (AAIs) – medical devices which deliver a single dose of adrenaline and are designed to be easily administered to a person who is having a severe allergic reaction.

The booklet is called May Contain – a reference to the warning carried on food and drink that may contain nuts.

Daniel said, “I hope that people understand what living with an allergy really entails and more importantly how to act in a life-threatening situation.

“The magazine and booklet pushes the boundaries and takes the adrenaline auto-injector out of context in a visually exciting way that’s not been seen more before. I hope this will engage people and raise awareness around anaphylaxis.”

Lynne Regent, chief executive of the Anaphylaxis Campaign, said, “We really support the work Daniel is doing in raising awareness of allergy among young people. They are a particularly ‘at risk’ group so this is a really important issue Daniel is addressing.”

Huddersfield University student Daniel Kelly, who has created a magazine alerting young people to the issues around severe allergies

Daniel started the project as part of his degree studies, but said he had a personal agenda as well.

He said: “I have lived with a severe nut allergy for over 17 years now, yet I still find that people do not understand how severe having a food allergy is. When I speak to friends about my allergy they are always curious and interested. This sparked the beginning of my project, which would later have real personal meaning.”

Daniel said the pressure on teenagers to “fit in” and seem “normal” could lead to not carrying their medication with them at all times.

He said: “I found out last week that my best friend’s brother had been diagnosed with a severe nut allergy. As a result, he unfortunately felt secluded because of having to carry an AAI for the rest of his life.

“I would like to attempt to take away this stigma associated around having an allergy. My response to this is to produce something that is going to engage with my audience in a new and exciting way. Making people more aware of what it is like living with an allergy and how you can integrate it into your everyday life.”

The booklet will be launched at Huddersfield Design Show on June 12, (7pm) at the Creative Arts Building.

For more information on how the EpiPen works go to daniel-ak.com