Eosinophilic Diseases Awareness Month
May 2026
Eosinophilic Diseases Awareness Month takes place every May. Eosinophilic diseases are currently not widely recognised or understood. Guts UK exists to help change this. To help people not just feel seen, but heard and supported too.
What are eosinophilic diseases?
Eosinophilic diseases (pronounced ee-oh-sin-oh-fil-ik), are often misdiagnosed because their symptoms can mimic other more common diseases. Those eosinophilic diseases that affect the gut are identified by the presence of a type of inflammatory white blood cell called an eosinophil. These are usually raised above a normal level in those with eosinophilic diseases. When too many of these cells are present where they usually aren’t, this can cause chronic inflammation, resulting in tissue damage.
The location of where these cells are elevated leads to the diagnosis of two main categories within the gut: Eosinophilic Oesophagitis (EoE) and Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders (EGID). EoE is inflammation of the gullet, whereas EGIDs affect the stomach, small bowel and large bowel.
What are the usual symptoms?
The most common symptom is difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). This can feel like food is moving slowly or sticking in your chest. Whilst this can be painless, it is often distressing. In some cases, food can get stuck completely (a food bolus obstruction), which is a medical emergency.
Children might experience:
- Reflux
- Tummy pain
- Avoiding eating to avoid discomfort, which can impact their growth.
Symptoms can vary by person and age, which delays diagnosis.
Many adults and children unknowingly develop coping strategies to manage the sensation, such as chewing excessively, eating very slowly and drinking lots of liquids to wash food down. Because these signs can be subtle, diagnosis is often delayed. This can lead to social anxiety and fear of eating away from home.
How common are eosinophilic diseases?
The estimated number of people living with eosinophilic diseases are:
- 1 in 3,000 for EoE – This is rare, but data suggests more cases are diagnosed each year.
- 1 in 100,000 for EGID – This is very rare.
Exact numbers are hard to get due to a lack of knowledge among healthcare professionals. Only recently was there a global consensus on how to diagnose it and interpret its symptoms.
Elle’s eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) story
After my frightening choking experience, my whole family were desperate to get answers. I was lost and confused. Getting a referral to a gastroenterologist proved really difficult as COVID was rife, so in the end my family decided to go private. The paediatric gastroenterologist that I saw suspected I had Eosinophilic Oesophagitis (EoE) during my first consultation in 2021, and an endoscopy with a tissue sample confirmed the diagnosis.
Where can I find more information on eosinophilic diseases?
Our accredited information on digestive conditions and symptoms includes eosinophilic diseases. Our Helpline team can also provide information, guidance and support.
The EOS Network helps people with eosinophilic diseases. They provide information and support to people with a diagnosis and their families.
Why is awareness of eosinophilic diseases important?
Finding the appropriate medical care can be difficult, as eosinophilic diseases are currently not widely recognised or understood. The diagnosis can be long, which means we need to do better. People should not be going this long without a diagnosis. This is where awareness comes in. The more we raise vital awareness of eosinophilic diseases, the more widely recognised they become. This, in turn, can lead to a better understanding of these diseases and help to steer us towards a future of more effective treatment through research.
How can I help?
You can help us raise awareness of eosinophilic diseases by:
- Following us on social media and sharing our awareness and information posts during the month itself. You never know who we might reach and help together. Find us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
- Share an experience with eosinophilic diseases with your own circles and on your own social media channels. You can register your interest to share a story with us here.
- Fundraise for Guts UK Charity to help us abolish the taboos surrounding digestive health, and get to grips with guts. You can fund life-changing research and help us to improve diagnosis.
