dog

We first noticed Ella’s allergies as a baby when she reacted badly to formula, and later to yogurt during weaning. She was formally diagnosed with a dairy allergy, and since then we’ve discovered she’s also allergic to honey, cattle meat, dog and goat dander, latex, dust mites, pollen, and certain trees and grasses. We’re currently checking for pollen allergy syndrome as well as idiopathic anaphylaxis, since she’s had a severe reaction with no known cause. She hasn’t outgrown her allergies, so we manage them through strict avoidance, ongoing monitoring, and by always carrying emergency medication.

We didn’t rely on websites to diagnose Ella’s allergies. Her diagnosis came through multiple allergists, combined with our own observations over the past five years. Along the way, we’ve learned so much through trial and error and medical guidance, and we now use that knowledge to advocate in schools and on Instagram to raise awareness about allergy life. I’m also in the process of writing a book to support families living with severe allergies and to help educate others about the challenges children like Ella face every day.

We used Flixotide and antihistamine medications.