k12allergies

Kristin (@Allergy_living – 18+ years old)

January 26, 2023 / , , , , , , ,

At the age of 11 after an anaphylactic reaction I learned I had a tree nut allergy. A couple of years later at the age of 13 I was constantly sick with sinus infections and GI issues. Eventually it got so bad that I was experiencing dysphagia and severe GERD. At 13 these symptoms were unknown to me and therefore hard to explain to my mom. Finally after what seemed like a never ending round of tests and then an endoscopy I learned I had Eosinophilic esophagitis. After a series of allergy tests I learned I had 13 food allergies some of which are anaphylactic. After 13 years of living with food allergies I have outgrown a few as well as developed additional food allergies. I have had 18 endoscopy/biopsies and have recently started adding additional food into my diet. I hope my personal and professional experience can help others navigate food allergies by finding fun with food again.

When first trying to understand and find resources around food allergies my mom and I used FARE as a guide. Years later and I am now a masters level registered dietitian and have used what I have learned professionally and adapted it in my own life. I share resources such as FARE, the academy of nutrition and dietetics and some allergy friendly food brands with my patients who also have food allergies.

Harper (@anaphylactic_kid – 3 years old)

January 26, 2023 / , , , , , , ,

From the moment we started introducing foods to Harper at 6 months old we had problems itchy hives rashes etc. She is our only child so we didn’t know what it was. Even thought it must be normal for babies when they eat certain foods. We got to see an allergist who tested her for eggs and sent us home with Epipens, recommended watching YouTube videos to learn how to use them. 2 years (and lots of hospital visitors for testing, anaphylaxis and check ups) go by and having hot rock bottom after witnessing a very serious anaphylactic shock that nearly took my beloved baby from us. We joined Instagram as a way to connect with others like us and find support… boy did we find support love friends and the answer to our prayers @socalfoodallergy provide a treatment for food allergies like Harper’s and she’s now half way through treatment and should be at complete food freedom by the time she starts school. None of this would have been possible without the amazing people who found us via Instagram. Forever grateful that we get to share our journey with you all.

I reached out to a Facebook moms group who informed me it wasn’t normal and to book to see my GP. I attended zoom meeting ups with other moms of kids with allergies and that’s were I first heard about @socalfoodallergy later on @natashasfoundation contacted me to feature our story on their page. And another mum who was doing to TIP program reached out to me to tel me about this life changing treatment. Our lives have changed so much and the best is yet to come.

Lily (9 years old)

November 2, 2022 / , , ,

She ate a peanut at family party. Had had crunchy peanut butter lots before this. Turned hoarse and swollen face. It was very clear we were in trouble, the developed a persistent cough en route to the hospital it was clear her airways were blocking. She was put straight to Resus at the emergency department. Allergy diagnosed and referred to kids allergy clinic for further tests.

We are in Northern Ireland where resources seem behind the times. No support groups etc. our clinic team does their best but most info has been found through Google. Anaphylaxis UK is useful. Following others on Instagram has been a source of support but the accounts are mostly based away from the UK.

Ronin (10 years old)

November 2, 2022 / , , , , , , ,

As an infant, we suspected Ronin had eczema and food sensitivities because he was always fussy and blotchy and would spit up after breastfeeding. The pediatrician suggested switching him to a special baby formula at 4 months old. So, we did. But there was no mention of food allergies. At one years old, he had his first reaction to food. It was on vacation while eating some scrambled eggs. I still remember running around like a chicken with its head cut off- because we had no clue what was going on. He had another reaction shortly after that to his birthday cake. It was then that the pediatrician ordered a food allergy panel and it was determined Ronin was allergic to soy (false positive), dairy, egg, peanut, and treenuts. He still has all of those same allergies including a tomato allergy.

We didn’t use any websites early on in our diagnosis because the whole thing was just so new and overwhelming and we honestly had no idea how many resources are actually out there. But in the years since, we have relied heavily on FARE and Allergic Living.

Leah (@fpies_herrick – 15 years old)

November 2, 2022 / , , , ,

When I was born I was constantly getting really sick and loosing so much weight. After a few treacherous months after birth, a very smart and kind doctor helped diagnose me with FPIES. (a rare food allergy.) I am 15 now, but one year ago I got covid. When I got covid I started getting ulcers on my mouth and other places on my skin. After about 5 months of traveling to different offices I finally got diagnosed with behçet’s disease. I have never overcome my allergies and disorders, but have learned that I am not alone, and am my own strong individual. I am just the same as everyone else, just a bit more unique! I created a support page for those with hidden illnesses on Instagram @fpies_herrick if you want to check it out.

All the information we used came from our helpful doctors! I have used Colchicine.

“Can you? A food allergy story”

October 25, 2022

A story about food allergy education, curiosity, compassion, playfulness, acceptance, and empowerment. The focus of the book is on all the wonderful things children can do as they live day-to-day with food allergies.

“Can you?” focuses around a kid with food allergies and all the things he can do from the perspective of a girl Maya who doesn’t have food allergies.

This book was written by Emily Duty and illustrated by Debasish Sarma. “Can you?” was written for Emily’s sons who live with food allergies. It is a great book for both kids that struggle with food allergies and kids that don’t. You can check out the book and other great food allergy resources here: https://linktr.ee/allergymomtries.

 Jaime (@triofudge – 6/4 years old)

October 17, 2022 / , , , , , , , ,

When my son was 10 months old he had an anaphylactic reaction to peanut butter. I didn’t know it at the time because that was our introduction into food allergies! Since then we have added some allergens to the list of ones we manage. Between our two children (ages 6 and 4) we manage: peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, egg, shellfish and banana. Peanuts, shellfish, egg, and banana were confirmed from having reactions, and then with annual follow-up skin and blood tests at our allergist’s office. Sesame and tree nuts are confirmed through testing only. Both children are currently undergoing SLIT treatment (SubLingual ImmoTherapy) at Allergenuity in North Carolina. We are hoping SLIT will protect against cross contact and hopefully lead to more free eating.

We use information from FARE to educate ourselves, family members, care takers, and school staff members on food allergies in general, how to recognize symptoms and reactions, how to administer epinephrine, and how to create an Emergency Action Plan that fits our family’s needs. We have used information from FAACT to develop 504 plans for public school.

  Benjamin, Christopher and Abigail (@themomplicatedeater)

October 17, 2022 / , , , , , , ,

When Benjamin was 6 months old, I had eaten a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and given him a kiss on his neck. He broke out in hives in the area he was kissed pretty soon after. We took him to an allergist who diagnosed him. Since then his blood work results have continued to worsen. For both of my subsequent children, our allergist tested them before we introduced foods. With my second child, he was positive for dairy and egg, which I had not cut out of my diet (and was breastfeeding), but did so after his diagnosis. We saw huge improvements with his skin and discomfort level. Our third baby is about to be tested, but based on similar signs that Christopher displayed, I eliminated dairy, egg, soy, gluten and peanuts at 8 weeks of age.

We were so unaware when Benjamin was first diagnosed. But as we’ve attempted OIT and experienced anaphylaxis at home, we have joined Facebook groups, receive several newsletters and follow multiple accounts on IG to learn and grow. Some of the resources we use currently are Allergen Inside and Susie at Spokin.

Emma & Emmett (@VanessaCutting – 16 years old)

October 14, 2022 / , , , , , ,

My daughter was a little less than a year maybe 9 months old and started breaking out in these horrible rashes. I took her to the pediatrician but they blamed it on me taking her flying at such a young age (but my family lived in Fl and I lived in Baltimore so I wasn’t not going to visit them it didn’t make sense), the pediatrician then blamed it on the fact that I didn’t breast feed my daughter and that is why she had a rash. So needless to say I switched Dr ‘s and instantly they had us allergy test. My son I had a feeling since birth but he was a NICU baby so he was a little more on the complicated side but none the less I had him tested as soon as he came home from the hospital. Call it a Mother’s Gut feeling I just knew. But yet again another Dr this time they said he has cystic fibrosis but i knew it was food allergies. My son would projectile vomit and diarrhea constantly.

No websites used, I did not but in 2006 there wasn’t much info out there. I mean I had to have a DR’s note and notarized to carry an epi-pen on a plane. They were not common. And in 2010 there was some info out but not a lot and I did a lot of research on mom blogs since Pinterest was just coming out. But besides that this journey has been trail and error and me never giving up for my kids sake and for their food allergies.

Landon (1 years old)

October 17, 2022 / , , ,

I learned about my son’s food allergies when he was only 6 months old. What was supposed to be a fun milestone (baby’s first food!) turned into a very scary situation, where he had an anaphylactic reaction to pureed peas. After he saw an allergist, they ran some blood work and he tested positive to eggs, peas, peanuts, and a handful of tree nuts. Since then, while slowly introducing new foods, we have unfortunately discovered more allergens.

We used FARE. Also a lot of blogs from other food allergy moms, Facebook groups, and social media.