skin

(@my_allergy_baby – 1.5 years old) 

July 25, 2026 / , ,

We figured out my son had food allergies when he had an allergic reaction to dairy simply by touching his skin. Later, we did a skin allergy test that gave us an idea of all his allergens. We are currently working on overcoming his allergies, so this is an ongoing process.

We didn’t use any websites. We went straight to a food allergist, who explained his different food allergies. We’ve also gone through trial and error, figuring out which other foods he’s allergic to as we introduce new foods.

(@Allergymomx2 – 5 years old)

July 25, 2026 / , , , ,

I figured out my son had allergies when he struggled as an infant with bottle feeding. He would arch his back, spit up a lot, and was fussy with colic. He also had eczema. We brought him to an allergist, who confirmed his food allergies through a skin prick test and bloodwork.

I used FARE’s website to help me, as well as stories from moms on Instagram and the Food Allergy Moms Facebook page.

Zya Juliana Ventinilla (9 years old)

July 25, 2026 / , , , , ,

When Zya was a baby, she had severe eczema, and we struggled to find a formula that wouldn’t aggravate her skin. Around age two, she ate kiwi for the first time and became extremely itchy, which raised concerns. Our family doctor then referred us to a skin allergy specialist, and she was officially diagnosed with allergies to peanuts and kiwi. There was an incident where she accidentally ate a snack containing peanuts. We had to use the EpiPen she always carries with her and rushed her to the emergency hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, she has not outgrown these allergies yet.

We used various websites to understand and manage her allergies. Sites like Mayo Clinic and WebMD were especially helpful for learning about symptoms, triggers, and treatment options. While online resources were useful for general guidance, we relied on a specialist for formal diagnosis and personalized care. We also found support groups and parenting forums helpful for practical tips and shared experiences from other parents dealing with similar issues.

Anchittha Kanjanarujee (17 years old)

July 23, 2026 / , , ,

When I was around 14–15 years old, I used to eat a lot of bakery treats and chocolate bars. Every time I ate them, I would get pimples around my cheeks and mouth, and it would sometimes feel itchy too. That’s when I realized I was allergic to dairy products.

I went to see a dermatologist, who suggested I stop eating dairy for a week. My skin improved shortly after.

We used Cistamine medications.

Torfun (@t0rfn – 17 years old)

July 23, 2026 / , , , , , , ,

My allergic reaction started when I was 8 months old, but because of my age, doctors couldn’t provide a diagnosis yet. My second reaction occurred when I was 1 year and 2 months old; the reactions included eye swelling, coughing, and rashes. I then went through skin testing and was diagnosed with allergies to gluten and albumin (egg white).

The first method I followed was avoidance, waiting for the allergy to heal naturally. Throughout this process, I had to carry a large bag of essentials for my allergy, including medication and an EpiPen. However, the results were unclear, as my blood test allergy levels didn’t show signs of decreasing, and carrying the bag everywhere slightly impacted my school life.

After I turned 9 years old, I tried another treatment method called OIT (Oral Immunotherapy), starting with egg. This treatment showed very clear results, and I was able to eat a whole egg within six months. I continued this treatment with gluten, starting with only 30 milligrams of gluten powder daily. After 10 months, I was able to eat 45 grams of gluten (about 3 pieces of bread), and I maintained this amount for 6 months. My doctor then suggested I try different kinds of food while maintaining the same gram amount, including spaghetti, pizza, donuts, and snacks.

Finally, after a year, I was able to travel EpiPen-free and consume gluten and eggs normally like everyone else. It has been 6 years, and I am still extremely grateful and enjoy everything I can eat!

Since I was very young when I was diagnosed, my mother was responsible for all the research. She visited every page and joined every group affiliated with food allergies that she could find, as well as baking and cooking pages dedicated to children with food allergies, since everything I ate had to be homemade.

J’s story (8 years old)

November 13, 2020 / , ,

J was sick from 3 months old with tummy, skin, and breathing problems. We took him to many doctors and finally the 6th doctor diagnosed him with multiple food allergies at 17 months old. He has only outgrown a few of these allergies. 

He only takes Zyrtec and an albuterol inhaler as needed. Also, we carry EpiPens on us.