I have multiple anaphylactic food allergies. I am anaphylactic to strawberries, melons, and shellfish. I say I am allergic to melons because I have reacted to cantaloupe watermelon, and honey dew. That was enough for me to stop trying melons. I also say shellfish because I have reacted to crab, oysters, clams, and shrimp. Pity me. I have never had lobster. So sad.
I developed my food allergies around the age of 12, back when allergists used to say kids outgrow food allergies. Oh, wait. They still say that.
I have carried an epi-pen for over 25 years. They used to be these obnoxious red boxes with actual syringes and Benadryl tablets and alcohol wipes included. Pretty intimidating. Now they are a travel tube that gets a twist and slam on your thigh to push the needle out. Much easier. Except it’s still hard to stick yourself, even as an adult. And I’m pretty brave. Ask a few of my grown-up friends. They have found it quite cool to get the chance to ‘shoot me’ in the leg.
Yeah, I have even accidentally ingested my allergens as an adult. It happens. And it actually feels pretty embarrassing. And I am not exactly an introvert.
One time I was at a work-related pot luck. After grabbing a chip and some onion dip I noticed that the onion dip was unusually chewy. Chew-eeeee. Crap. Clam dip. Onion dip and clam dip look very similar in appearance. It took me awhile to figure that out. It doesn’t feel all that cool to accidentally eat one of your life-threatening food allergies at a work party, get stabbed in the leg with your epi. by a friend, and then leave the work related party early to head for follow-up at the E.R Oh, well.
I live in Northern California. The summer months are the worst for me. There is not a place on the planet you can go in Northern California during the summer months that does not have a strawberry or melon. Restaurants are the worst. Strawberries make a fancy little garnish on everything. Melons are the choice fruit side. And even the bar can be a catastrophe with tooth-picked strawberries and cross-contaminated dishes.
I have spent many years hearing comments such as: “Oh you poor thing. How terrible.” or “What a bummer for you. Strawberries are so good.” Or “Wow. Do you miss eating those?” or my personal favorite “Ha! No lobster or strawberries. You’re a cheap date!”
As a kid those were not the most compassionate things to hear. As an adult the comments don’t bother me anymore.
Fast forward to being a mom. My second kid was practically born throwing up and was filling her diaper with blood by 10 weeks old. That was pretty scary. Enter another type of food allergy. It’s life threatening. And it’s not anaphylaxis.
I would say that most people now are aware of what an anaphylactic allergy is. The most common awareness is the peanut allergy, that has morphed into nut-free zones. When I was younger people would follow up my announcement of food allergies by saying ‘oh are you allergic to peanuts, too?’ or ‘are you allergic to bees??’ When I was younger it took a lot of explaining. And convincing that I wasn’t just a picky teenager. Now food-induced anaphylaxis is believed to cause 50,000 emergency room visits and about 150 deaths annually in the United States.
However, most people have no idea that there are other kinds of life threatening food allergies.
We aren’t too keen on diagnostic boxes around here, especially with immune system dysfunction and a kid whose middle name should have been ‘atypical’ . But people respond better to a diagnostic label because it gives them a frame of reference to pull from. A set definition.
FPIES is different than anaphylaxis, because the immune system responds differently. An epi-pen doesn’t fix FPIES. Or EGID. Or Celiac. Or……the other food allergies that don’t fit into the box of anaphylaxis. These other food allergies that after the smallest exposure results in a blue, lifeless infant whose heart rate bottoms out. Or who begins to vomit so profusely they have trouble breathing. Or whose diarrhea does not stop for so many days they are hospitalized due to severe dehydration. Or who has a third degree burn on their skin where an allergen touched.
How do I know? I have seen it in action. I am a mama of a child with life threatening food allergies. And she does not have anaphylaxis.
If you have been following along Ellie’s journey for any time, you may be saying ‘wait a minute! I thought she was better? I thought she was healed?’. And you are right. For more information on that you can watch <here> and read <here>.
But she will always be at risk. I will always be at risk. YOU will always be at risk. And there will always be children with food allergies.
Get educated. Know how to be compassionate, and sensitive, and aware, so that you don’t unintentionally put someone else at risk. And by that I mean primarily children.
Do you care for children? As a teacher? A scout leader? Club leader? Or play date organizer?
Those who are in charge of children have a greater responsibility to be aware of allergens.
How? For school, churches, clubs, birthday parties, day cares, or any outing that involves groups of kids, there needs to be training. There needs to be conversation. And if you must include food in your kid-centered function, here are three easy tips to help keep everyone safe and feeling like they are a part of the fun.
1- Get information ahead of time about allergens. Be prepared to keep kids safe by getting the information needed before hand.
2- Ask the parent, not the kid. Please do not assume you will get the most accurate information regarding allergens from a child. Always ask the parent or guardian for specific information on allergens.
3- Be sure parents have a way to reach you. A phone number is best. The ability to contact you prior to an event helps get you important information, and reassures parents that you are prepared to care for their child.
These three quick and easy steps are a great spring board for creating an allergy safe environment.
Dealing with allergies? What you won’t hear from a traditional allergist are options for healing. Here are some great resources:
The GAPS Diet
Epidemic Answers
Want information on what symptoms of non-anaphylactic allergies might look like? Try here:
The FPIES Foundation
Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Alliance
Hope is contagious. Pass it on.
~ Nichole
You brought tears to my eyes just reading this post for two reasons. One of them is because I have been following your story. Just knowing what you and your family have gone through, I feel blessed to have children who do not have the food issues you speak of. Though, 2 have mine have some mental issues. Unfortunately, that runs in both sides of their families. The other reason, is that you brought back so many memories of school, some good, some not so good. But I remember those pictures of you (and they are not bad)! You were beautiful then and you have grown into a beautiful and strong woman and mom. 🙂
Amber <3 Thanks for your continued prayers and support. H.S. seems so long ago doesn't it? God is good. He has blessed us both tremendously. And have hope mama! There are food-as-medicine options for mental and neurological issues as well. Let me know if you ever want more info. You are a blessing to me. Maybe at the next reunion I will be able to tell you in person 🙂
Funny, my allergies started when I was 11yo too! Right after a long series of anti-biotics (surprise surprise)… I totally sympathize with the commentary and miss-understanding. Thanks for a great post!
hmmm love those antibiotics. are your allergies the same as an adult?
Yes, only the list just kept getting longer and longer and longer each year. Having been on the GAPS wagon for a little while now, I think I’m back to only having issues with the original ones…
We have the same beginnings!! (including big bangs and funky clunky epi-pens…) I was diagnosed somewhere around 12 yo… after 6 straight months and 6 courses of amoxicillin topped off with walking pheumonia and asthma.
HA on the big bangs! 🙂 I wonder if I ask my mom if she would say I had some major rounds of antibiotics around that time, too. I can’t remember. What are your ana. allergies to??
People must be aware of the threat that allergies will bring. There are several groups who help out with this cause but still there several unsympathetic people who do not care about them. It’s sad to know that there are people like them. Allergy Easy