Thioredoxin-1 (Trx1) is an important regulator of cellular redox homeostasis with redox-active dithiol; it is induced in response to various stress conditions (e.g. oxidative damage, infection/inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, irradiation and chemical exposure). In multiple studies, Trx1 has shown excellent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects when used to treat animal models of various human inflammatory disorders. This review focusses on the protective roles and effect mechanisms of Trx1 in relation to allergic diseases such as allergic asthma, contact dermatitis, food allergies, allergic rhinitis and drug allergies. Trx1 plays important roles in allergic diseases through processes such as anti-oxidation, inhibition of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), regulation of Th1/Th2 immune balance, modulation of allergic inflammatory cells and suppression of complement activation. The regulatory actions of Trx1 differ from glucocorticoid-based mechanisms, which regulate inflammatory reactions in association with suppression of immune responses. Furthermore, Trx1 exerts a beneficial effect on the glucocorticoid resistance of allergic inflammation by inhibiting the production and internalisation of MIF. According to the research discussed here, we suggest that Trx1 has the potential for future success in translational research.