Story

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.

theallergykids (1 year old)

November 13, 2020 / , , , , , , , , , ,

Lactation consultant suggested CMPA, after cutting dairy the list of other allergens grew to soya, egg and peanut confirmed on skin prick test and food challenge. We are still awaiting our youngest to outgrow his allergies. My eldest had an allergic reaction to me eating cashew nuts and after A LOT of fighting with the GP we finally got allergy testing. This confirmed a tree nut allergy which we carry EpiPens for her now. She too is yet to outgrow her allergies but we are hopeful.

Both kids have piriton for first line reactions. We also carry EpiPens for my eldest in case of anaphylaxis. I contacted Allergy UK directly for information and helped get a diagnosis for my eldest and her butt allergy.

With my youngest cmpa through breast milk I had a close friend and I also read through all the information on the Dylan and me blog. Super helpful!

Sarah Peres (18+ years old)

March 8, 2021 / , , ,

I was at a park when my mom gave me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to taste. Right after, I threw up everywhere. Then we went to an allergist and I figured out I was diagnosed with an egg and peanut allergy. I never outgrew my allergies and developed more as I got older. In college, I found out I had celiac as well as multiple food allergies.

Doctors have told me that I should always carry an Auvi-Q on me even though my symptoms aren’t usually anaphylactic. When I accidentally eat something I’m allergic to, I always take Benadryl and it always helps relieve my symptoms.

Amanda (18+ years old)

March 8, 2021 / , , , , , , ,

I was born with rashes, leaving my mom to suspect I suffered from food allergies since my first day. However, I was not properly diagnosed until I was 4 years old. My mom was taking me in and out of doctors who couldn’t figure out why the rashes were starting. Most just gave her creams to help them go away but that never helps. It took until one doctor finally suggested an allergist and we learned I was allergic to dairy, shellfish, and red meat. I never grew out of my allergies. They expanded instead. Today, I am allergic to dairy, soy, corn, gluten, shellfish, nightshades, and coconut.

We kept up with the trends of FARE. Recently, we discovered Spokin to help us find new food allergy brands.

Emily McElroy (18+ years old)

March 8, 2021 / , ,

After having multiple non-anaphylactic reactions to peanuts before the age of 2, my physician told my mom to avoid giving me peanuts and assured us that I would likely grow out of my allergy. However, a few days after this, an accidental ingestion of a peanut butter granola bar put me in anaphylaxis and sent me to the hospital. After this experience, I had my first appointment with an allergist who gave me a prescription for epinephrine, and was formally diagnosed with an anaphylactic peanut allergy. I am currently 20 years old, and my last anaphylactic reaction was right before my 18th birthday. 

I’m not currently taking any medication but carry epinephrine and Benadryl with me at all times.

Allergytraveler (18+ years old)

March 8, 2021 / ,

I was very sick as a baby and after many tests for cancers and other illnesses they discovered it was allergies. I’ve only ever outgrown my egg allergy.

I used antihistamines and an everyday inhaler.

A’s story (5 years old)

November 13, 2020 / , , , , , ,

I suspected he had allergies. When he stopped eating dairy/egg/nut products I noticed a considerable difference in his eczema. He was not offered an allergy test, I was advised to give him allergens through my weaning journey – one spoonful of dairy and we were in hospital – another taste of cooked egg and we were in hospital. His doctors diagnosed his allergies based on his reaction to the food introduced during weaning. He used an adrenaline pen, Jext, piriton, and an asthma pump inhaler.

Jenna Tso (18+ years old)

March 8, 2021 / , , , , , , , ,

When I was first born, I was given formula in the hospital that I reacted to because it had dairy in it. At the time, food allergies were poorly understood and rarely diagnosed. My mom had to go to multiple doctors to get my allergies tested and a doctor said I was diagnosed with a milk allergy. She also had to go on an elimination diet to see what it was in her breast milk that was making me react severely. I have never outgrown or overcome my dairy allergy, it is still anaphylactic and actually has gotten worse with age. 

I use EpiPens, Albuterol Inhaler, daily Zyrtec, Benadryl as needed, and daily Flonase. I have asthma, food allergies, and other allergies to dust and animals so these help me keep that in check.

Daphne (17 years old)

November 13, 2020 / , , , ,

When I was two years old, I ate some chocolate at a restaurant, and when I got home I was throwing up so my mom instantly knew something was wrong. Her instinct was right and I was soon diagnosed with a tree nut allergy. When I was four, I was diagnosed with a peanut allergy as well. When I was around seven, I was able to successfully do the peanut challenge and I’m no longer allergic to peanuts, but as for tree nuts, I still am allergic to all of them.

FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) has always been a super helpful source in learning more about food allergies!