Story

Y’s story (5 years old)

February 17, 2021 / , , ,

When he was 1 year old he ate dessert with nuts I didn’t know what anaphylaxis is so I was shocked. I knew something was wrong because of what he ate. I searched the internet and found about food allergies & epipens. When he was about 2 years old he was diagnosed with tree-nuts allergy by the only allergist in Bahrain.
When he was 4 years old I registered him in a learning center that accepts special cases. They promised they can take care of him, but he had a severe anaphylaxis & they didn’t even call me or his allergist and didn’t epi him!
He is now in an international preschool that is really expensive, but it is the only safe place for him to learn and have friends. They know how serious food allergies can be.

We used FARE (foodallergy.org) and red sneakers for Okley.
My native language is Arabic, but there are only little information about food allergies in Arabic. That is why I created my instagram account to share the information in Arabic & spread awareness.

Ava Grace Goff (1 year old)

February 8, 2021 / , , , , , , , , , ,

Blood tests from the hospital my babies skin was inflamed from 4 weeks old started with spots all over her face and head from 3 weeks It was so severe she has so many tests was in hospital a lot she looked as though she had been in a fire she was riddled with histamine to the point she couldn’t sleep drink properly or do anything but wriggle. Her allergies are dog (severe) wheat, soya, milk, egg, peanuts, hazelnuts and mould. We took Clarithromycin plus ceterezine and neocate formula.

@purelyhaley – 3 years old

February 8, 2021 /

He had vomit to shock reactions with his first 4 foods introduced at 7-8 months old. It took a lot of internet searching and 4 pediatricians to finally receive a diagnosis. We have not overcome them. He isn’t on any medications. In my internet search I came across the FPIES foundation website and that is what led me to seek out an FPIES experienced practitioner to request an evaluation.

Stephanie (7 years old)

February 8, 2021 / , , , ,

He had a reaction at 7months old which led to testing. He tested positive for wheat, milk, egg. Since then he is now tolerating baked milk for 3 years now. At 4 years old he had a reaction to cashews. He is now tolerating cashews but the subsequent testing revealed an almond allergy. He takes Flovent for maintenance of his asthma. I mostly use websites for recipes as I try to keep up with his allergist on what testing and interventions are available and appropriate for my son.

Tarah Jakubiak

January 31, 2021 / ,

I was rushed to the hospital when I was an infant as I stopped breathing after consuming one of my allergens (dairy).

Emery (5 years old)

February 8, 2021 /

Eczema during breastfeeding; immediate reaction to first taste of food at 6 months.

Payton (@The Allergy Strategy – 18+ years old)

March 8, 2021 / , , , ,

When I was a baby, I was constantly sick anytime I would eat anything with dairy, but it was my first bite of mac and cheese that sent me into anaphylactic shock. After this, the doctors ran tests to diagnose my other, equally as severe, allergies to peanuts, eggs, fish, and shellfish. While I have not grown out of my allergies as we had hoped that I would, I would say we have overcome them mentally by changing our attitude towards my allergies. When I say “our” I mean to include my family, as I know I could not have had the full life that I have despite my food allergies without them. The road hasn’t been easy, but I have learned to see the blessing in the struggle. For one, not a day or a meal goes by that I am not grateful for the safe foods that I can eat. Secondly, my allergies have inspired me to reach out to the greater food allergy community, and have fueled my passion for helping others with severe food allergies which has inspired me to consider adding a Nutrition track as my second major, so I will be able to work as a registered dietitian specializing in helping children with severe food allergies. My greatest hope is to encourage anyone with food allergies to not let it hold them back mentally or make them feel any less than anyone else! Our differences shouldn’t be seen as a hindrance, but as a unique gift that we get to use for good if we decide to.

My allergies primarily involve avoidance of the foods, so no medication on a regular basis, however, I never leave the house without Benadryl, my inhaler, and my EpiPen. I have kept up with my allergist for skin testing and blood tests to keep tabs on the status of my allergies, so I have never had to search for information on my own based on my symptoms. I will say, though, that we are constantly researching new allergy finds and studies, and actually considered OIT, Oral Immunotherapy, as a possibility after a great deal of research a few years back! In general, FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education) is a wonderful resource for food allergy news, but there are many more up and coming resource and informational platforms that I have recently discovered such as EpiCenter and the EpiCenter app by AssureTech.

Eat with little J (5 years old)

November 13, 2020 / , , ,

She had an upset stomach and bloody stool as an infant. Then she had severe eczema on her face, which we thought was a drool rash. Then she broke out in hives when given a tiny spec of peanut butter when we started on solids. We decided to get her tested and the result came back with many different food allergies. Have not overcome any allergies; we just avoid them all. When she’s a bit older, we’ll do oral tests for more conclusive results and to see if she grew out some.

We carry a set of epinephrine injections at all times. We didn’t look into any websites while getting her diagnosed. We just went to the pediatrician then to an allergist.

Weston (5 years old)

November 13, 2020 / , ,

When my son was 7 months old he had an allergic reaction at a restaurant to mash potatoes. He began what looked like choking, his skin got red, and he began to get hives on his face. We have fewer allergies now, but still have ways to go!

My son currently takes Zyrtec daily for his environmental allergies. I am a part of food allergy groups, but I mainly rely on our allergist and food allergy symposiums.