Allergy Voices Volume 2 Compressed

Allergy
Voices
Volume 2
Allergy Voices
Contents
Zoe T. Williams
My Allergy Kitchen
Welcome p3
Julianne
Creative Nature
Amy Foreword p4
Playing Our Way
Interview p6
Bailey
Allergies with Bailey
Brittany Interview p9
Ohh! Foods
Interview p12
Dana
The D Dawg Diet
Emma Interview p14
You, Me and Food Allergies
Interview p17
Isabella
Allergie.Kid
Jay Interview p20
Simply Ash Friendly
Interview p22
José
Children's Allergy
Kayla Interview p28
Gutsy Kitchen
Interview p31
Kiri
Imagine... Creative Early Years
Natalie Interview p35
The Allergy Badge
Interview p40
Nessa
Munch Free
Tarah Interview p43
Allergic Traveler
Interview p45
www.myallergykitchen.com
Welcome
I'm so excited to bring you this, the second edition of Allergy

Voices! This collection of interviews shares a range of different
perspectives on life with allergies of all kinds. We have parents of
young children with allergies, as well as teenage and adult allergy
sufferers too. You'll find a variety of experiences including food,
animal and environmental allergies, anaphylaxis, and allergy-related
conditions such as eczema and asthma.
I've created this ebook because I know from my own experience

just how difficult it can be to get the support you need to manage
daily life with allergies. The medical profession can help you
diagnose allergies and prescribe medication to manage your
symptoms. But avoiding allergens and preventing a reaction is a
responsibility you carry with you everywhere you go, and there is a
lot to learn. I want you to know that you are not alone, and there is
an amazing community of people you can reach out to online for
help and advice.
I hope you'll see that all these stories have one thing in common,
and that is that having allergies doesn't have to define you or how
you live. It can even be a positive force, giving you new strengths,
leading you to explore new things and even opening up new
possibilities in your life.
Zoe T. Williams
My Allergy Kitchen
W: myallergykitchen.com
I: @myallergykitchen
FB: /MyAllergyKitchen
T: @myallergykitchn
Foreword
I’m proud to add my voice to this book which represents people like me
who can often feel isolated, marginalised, ignored and misunderstood –
because we happen to have allergies.
As someone who has lived with severe allergies since collapsing as a

toddler, I have experienced being bullied, laughed at, humiliated and sent
to the so-called ‘allergy’ table both physically at school – and
metaphorically over and over again. I was even once told that my need
for those around me NOT to eat nuts, impacted on their human rights.
Even though I have allergies I have not let them define me but instead let
them empower me. I built a business that caters for people like me. From
our baking mixes, to Gnawbles - it allows everyone to sit at the same
table. I have travelled to so many places around the world, sky dived in
Aruba, swum with sharks and even made the Forbes 30 under 30 list with
Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter). I truly believe that your allergies don’t
have to define you.
This ebook is one building block
to a more empathetic future
It’s time to stand up, be counted and be heard. We deserve the best life
possible with choices and options to be all that we can be. Life is hard
enough for anyone who has to consider what they eat, drink, wear, come
into contact with on a daily basis. It’s hard enough when we have to
consider how we live and it also impacts every day on our parents, our
loved ones, our work colleagues and our friends.
Yet there will be more people like us. Allergies are rising across Europe,
especially among children and especially when it comes to food allergies.
There will be more people who have to consider life in the same way that
we have to. It’s for them that I’m writing these words as well as for you
and for myself. You are not alone.
We all need to speak out and campaign for a safer world for us. With
more understanding, more education and more awareness, those of us
who live with allergies should be able to live even bigger and better lives.
We should not feel that we are being held back by the fact that we have
allergies, whether it’s around the food we eat, the products we buy, the
places we eat or where we travel globally. We should praise those who
embrace us – and call out those who do not. We have to campaign
together for more compassion and understanding so that this often
hidden condition is recognised and accepted by all.
This ebook is one building block to a more empathetic future and I hope
you enjoy it and will share it with anyone who lives with allergies.
Julianne
Creative Nature
W: creativenaturesuperfoods.co.uk
I: @julianne.ponan
FB: /creativenaturesuperfood
T: @julianneponan
Amy
Playing Our Way
I: @playing_our_way
I’m a mum of 2 girls ages 5 and a half and 4. I used to be a teacher, have
been a foster carer and am now embarking on a childminding adventure!
What allergies do you and your children have?
Matilda is allergic to milk but for a long time would react to milk, soya, egg,
tomatoes, peach, citrus fruit and peas. Abigail is allergic to milk and latex and I am
allergic to milk with anaphylactic reactions to pineapple, latex and a host of
medications!
Do you and your children have any related conditions such as eczema,
asthma, hayfever, etc?
Yes, Abigail and I both have asthma and both girls suffer from eczema.
How did you discover your children had allergies?
When Matilda was born, she was a dream, immediately took to breast feeding and
grew well. At 2 weeks old she began to suffer with wind and became fussy when
feeding. We were told it was colic by the GP. Something wasn’t right however, as
by 5 weeks old her weight gain had slowed right down and feeding her was a
nightmare.
We began going backwards and forwards to the doctors as she began to actually
lose weight. We ended up in the children’s ward at one point but I was told that I
probably just didn’t have enough milk, it could be a cow’s milk allergy so to go
dairy free and top her up with formula. By this point Tilda was feeding for comfort
but would pool the milk in her mouth before spitting it rather than swallowing.
We tried bottles but she would scream at the sight of one.
Eventually at 10 weeks old I cried on the phone to our health visitor who came
straight out for a visit. Tilda was floppy and too tired to try to feed but we’d again
been told to just top her up with formula – nobody would listen to the fact that she
wouldn’t swallow anything!
Our lovely health visitor immediately could see that something was seriously
wrong and got her onto the children’s ward at hospital. Once there we met her
wonderful consultant for the first time who within 6 hours had her on a feeding
tube and subsequently diagnosed her with CMPA and reflux disease. He later told
us that if we hadn’t come in that evening we could easily have lost our beautiful
girl.
How has allergy affected your life in the past?
Due to the combination of reflux and cow’s milk allergy, by the time we knew
what was going on Tilda had developed dysphagia. In other words, she had
forgotten how to swallow. It took her 9 months to be able to drink and eat well
enough to remove her feeding tube so learning to use that was a big change for us
as a family. Getting used to checking everything for ingredients, every time was a
big adjustment for us.
It was also due to Matilda’s milk allergy that I discovered my own. Her doctor was
really surprised that hers was so bad when neither parent was allergic to milk.
When I said I suffered badly with IBS and Abi had eczema he suggested cutting
milk out for us as well. Voila! No more IBS and no more eczema – her asthma also
improved!
How does allergy affect your life nowadays?
Tilda is now 4 and has come so far! She still struggles with drinking from an open
cup and her speech is slightly delayed but she’s catching up fast. Allergy wise we’re
down to just milk and it doesn’t look like she’ll be outgrowing it anytime soon. She
has learnt to ask everyone who offers her food if it has milk in it and will remind
me to check packets.
With planning nothing has to be
missed out on.
What has been your biggest allergy challenge and how did you overcome it?
I think with Matilda it was impressing on people that just because her allergies are
non-IgE they were still serious. We often heard (and still do) ‘oh she doesn’t have
an epi-pen though’ ‘an accidental bit won’t kill her then’. This response is just
unacceptable and I now have a preprepared speech for those times! No, it won’t kill
her but a full body rash, bloating, sickness, bloody and mucous diarrhoea and
horrific tummy cramps are not something my child needs to be put through.
With my own allergy, pineapple is not very common but does pop up in the
strangest of places – carrot cake and curry sauce being the most unexpected
recently! So checking everything, twice, even if it seems rude is a must and I’ve had
to learn not to worry about asking to see ingredients.
What’s the biggest change you would like to see in the world?
I think it would be great to see shorter waiting times as I know our allergy clinic is
always incredibly busy. I’d also love clearer labelling, ‘may contain’ and ‘not
suitable for’ labels seem to be put on so much by some retailers that it does feel like
they’re covering their backs rather than catering for those with allergies. A vegan
product that is ‘not suitable for milk allergy suffers’ doesn’t seem acceptable to me.
Who has supported you on your allergy journey?
We couldn’t have done this journey without our families; they’ve been there to
support us every step of the way. From standing in a kitchen full of tube feeding
equipment for the first time with my Gran, wondering how on earth I could do
this, to celebrating each milestone as she’s grown. The community nursing team,
paediatrician and health visitor have been incredible since her diagnosis and of
course our friends.
What would you like parents of children with food allergies to know?
You are not alone, trust your instincts and surround yourself with people who will
support you!
How do you feel about having children with allergies?
It’s challenging at times but once we got used to it you don’t know any different.
With planning nothing has to be missed out on.
Bailey
Allergies with Bailey
I: @allergieswithbailey
Hi! I am 15 years old, I live in California, and I love paddleboarding,

spending time with my family & advocating for food allergies.
What allergies do you have?
I have severe food allergies to milk, eggs, and peanuts. Although I am not
technically allergic to all nuts or seafood, I avoid shellfish, crab, lobster, shrimp, etc
& I do not eat nuts except coconut and I have eaten pine nuts.
Do you have any related conditions such as eczema, asthma, hayfever, etc?
I have mild eczema but it does not affect me. I also have some sort of breathing
issue that is not asthma, but I am not sure exactly what.
How did you discover you had allergies?
My parents discovered I had allergies to each food individually, on different

occasions. I had a reaction to my milk formula around 5 months old. I was taken to
the hospital and they discovered the cause of the reaction. Then, I had a mild
reaction to eggs in a bowl of matzo-ball soup that my mom had served to me. This
time, they went to the doctor a few weeks later and my tests came back positive for
an egg allergy. Lastly, I ate the french fries at a restaurant when it had just newly
opened, and the french fries had been cooked in peanut oil.
How has allergy affected you life in the past?
In the past, allergies have greatly affected my life, in both positive and negative
ways. As a young child, I was 100% on top of things. From a very young age I
checked labels, and was very cautious of my eating. When I was younger, I was
less aware though. I let my parents take care of my allergies more and figure out
where/what I’d be eating. I think it would have been helpful to have more
conversations about my allergies when I was younger, not to scare me but to
inform me and ensure my safety.
Nowadays, allergies affect my life greatly. I am more aware of my allergy anxiety

and I accept it, because it IS normal and okay. I have recently joined the food
allergy community and gotten more involved, which has been such a privilege.
Now, I have different brands and foods I have gotten comfortable with, but there
are still challenges.
The most challenging part of allergies now that I’m older, is the lack of empathy
received. To be perceived as “too dramatic” or a lot to handle, is just wrong. This
goes along with the anxiety that comes with food allergies. it’s like a reflex, I am
constantly in “protect my life mode.” It’s not just eating the food, it’s being around
the food, surfaces, public.
I don’t think this challenge will be “overcome”; rather, I have accepted and will do
my best to move through it as a tool, not a barrier.
The biggest change I would like to see in the world is compassion and empathy.
This can be applied to everything, but in reference to allergies, I would like to see
more people caring and helping those with allergies. As well as more awareness and
advocating for food allergies. Also, for everyone to know they aren’t alone!
My parents have supported me on my allergy journey, but I still would've liked

more acceptance of my allergy anxiety.
What would you like other food allergy sufferers to know?
I would like others with food allergies to know that whatever they feel is OK.
They shouldn’t let others dictate whether they are “being too dramatic” and you
should always make yourself feel as safe as possible. Also, to always advocate and
stick up for others and yourself with food allergies :)
Food allergies are NOT a burden ...
just an obstacle life throws at you
I would like parents of children with food allergies to know that they should
always remember to remind their child that their food allergies are NOT a burden
to them, just an obstacle life throws at you. In addition, make sure to have
conversations and educate your child all about food allergies, what they mean, how
they can be affected, how to keep yourself safe in an emergency, etc.
How do you feel about living with allergies?
Although I sometimes have a lot of anxiety about my allergies, I know that I

wouldn’t be the person I am today without them. I am more responsible,
compassionate, and empathetic to those with other medical conditions in a way
someone without a medical condition, wouldn’t be.
Brittany
Ohh! Foods
W: www.ohhfoods.com
I: @ohhfoods
FB: /ohhfoods
T: @ohhfoodss
Growing up lactose-intolerant, and then experiencing a sudden allergic
reaction to peanuts/tree nuts, I decided to begin innovating the allergen-
friendly snacks I craved, but could not find on the market.
Peanut, tree nut & lactose intolerance
No.
My mother found out I was lactose intolerant when I was a baby. I spent a few
nights in Sick Kids hospital while they tried to diagnose why I was breaking out in
rashes and not digesting milk correctly.
Later on, at the age 18, I was rushed to the hospital after a sudden reaction to
chocolate covered peanuts, one of my then-favorite snacks. I was diagnosed with a
peanut and tree nut allergy.

Growing up lactose intolerant meant I was unable to snack on goldfish, granola

bars or enjoy ice cream. Luckily, I have a really creative mother who was able to
find and make alternatives for me, so that I didn’t feel left out during daycare snack
times.
There are so many things that you wouldn’t think would have either of those
ingredients, but do. I find myself constantly double-checking products to ensure
I’m not eating or using anything that might have either, such as body soap, lotion
or donuts fried in peanut oil.
I never felt left out
I still am constantly checking labels and ensuring they don’t contain any milk,
peanuts or tree nuts. Nowadays, I have been able to find alternatives or create them
myself! I became a donut-maker for my family for a few months, creating different
types that were allergen friendly and fun!
My biggest allergy challenge has been finding allergen friendly snacks that I could
trust to keep me fueled during the day. I was able to overcome this by creating my
own, and developing relationships with other brands that are doing the same thing.
A dream of mine is to be able to provide Epipens to those in need. No one deserves

to have a deadly allergy, and I believe that you should have access to what you need
regardless of your financial status. As we continue to grow Ohh! Foods, it is my
hope that we are able to give back.
Another thing would be better labeling - the cosmetic industry does not have strict
enough standards of what they need to disclose right away. Trying new soaps and
makeup has become a challenge for me.
My mother, friends, and other family members.
You are not alone and there is so much research in the works!
You are doing your best to keep your children safe and I am sure as they get older
they will thank you!
How do you feel about living with allergy?
In 2020, I feel hopeful that brands are beginning to care more to create a more
inclusive environment.
Dana
The D Dawg Diet
I: @the_ddawgdiet
I love the memories created and the community built with food, but I’ve
also had many insecurities with it. I have A LOT of food allergies, so
going to restaurants is kinda embarrassing because I have to give the
waiters my whole allergy list.
My food allergies also affect my eczema - which I've learned to maintain

but I hope to provide education and positivity to those that are struggling
with the same things I struggled with.
Peanut, Shellfish, Eggs, Wheat, Corn, Soy, Walnuts, Crustaceans - then dogs &
cats, Johnson grass, and rat pee?
YESS
Well as the story goes - my parents took me to Costco when I was 2 months old
and they were just taste testing the food samples. There was a food sample for the
dinner buns with a bit of peanut butter. My mom had me try some and just a bit of
the peanut butter landed on my lips and I swelled like a balloon and I had to get
rushed to the ER. The rest of my allergies were trial and error - mostly ending in
me going to the bathroom for an hour.
There were times when I was a kid that my allergies weren't taken seriously. My
insecurities growing up and thinking that my allergies were a burden on someone
else's life had an effect on how I dealt with my allergies at school and my social life.
Every Wednesday in elementary and middle school was PB & J day. So pretty
much every Wednesday, I hid by myself in the bathroom during the entire lunch
period because I was scared to go out and deal with people. I was scared to tell
other students to not eat peanuts around me and I feared that I was the only one
that had a severe peanut allergy at my school.
My allergies are just one part of me.
Growing up, I've learned that my allergies cannot turn into a weapon against me.
I've taken my experiences and want to encourage other adults to be more
cognizant of their actions and to let kids know that they are not alone. I no longer
let my allergies define me.
Just personal insecurities when it comes to explaining my allergies to new people,

especially if I'm dating a new person. When I dated my first boyfriend I felt like
such a pain in the ass because I had to tell him to stop eating something so I
wouldn't die. Some people are considerate and won't make not eating something a
big deal, but then other people take it as a personal attack against them (which I
don't get). I'm still trying to learn how to overcome insecurities - but now I have
more of the perspective that my allergies are just one part of me - and whoever is
dealing with me just has to deal with my allergies too.
What is the biggest change you would like to see in the world?
I wish people who aren't familiar with food allergies were more educated on how
to work with people with these allergies and I wish there was more funding for
research.
Well my mom has definitely been like a hawk - watching over everything I eat.
My friends have also inspired me to take a chance with opening up about my
allergies and getting me to start my food Instagram.
You can take whatever struggles you have had with allergies, and do great things.
That even the battles we face with our own food allergies can be beautiful and
empowering within itself. You will meet people who have shared similar struggles
and you will see how they have turned their hardships into a drive to help other
people dealing with the same thing - and it will inspire you!
Please just be patient, compassionate, and grateful. You have a beautiful

child/children and they don't want to feel like this slight imperfection they have is a
burden that cannot be fixed. Children especially need someone by their side -
letting them know that everything will be OK.
How do you feel about having a child with allergies?
Well I don't have kids with allergies - but if I did then I would just say - everyday
would probably be a new adventure.
Emma
You, Me and Food Allergies
W: youmeandfoodallergies.com
I: @youmeandfoodallergies/@emma.amoscato
FB: /youmeandfoodallergies
T: @freefromfarm
I'm an author, writer and mum to two children with multiple allergies. I
have written two books to help families navigate this journey and feel
more empowered.
What allergies do your children have?
My son is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, egg, garlic, mould and pollen. My
daughter is allergic to egg, and has just tested negative for sesame and chilli, so
we're hoping to challenge them soon. They have both outgrown milk allergies!
Do your children have any related conditions such as eczema, asthma,

hayfever, etc?
My son had severe eczema as a baby, which cleared up once we identified his food
allergies. He still has asthma. My daughter has eczema and chronic urticaria.
How did you discover your children had allergies?
My son had severe eczema as a baby, was very unsettled and started losing weight.
Unfortunately, we got a lot of bad advice and I was told allergens could not go
through my breastmilk to cause those reactions. It wasn't until we started weaning
him and he had severe reactions to milk and sesame that we finally got a proper
diagnosis. With my daughter, I was much more aware of the signs and was able to
cut food out of my diet that she was reacting to before her symptoms progressed.
How has allergy affected your children's lives in the past?
It has affected my whole parenting journey and I look back on the early days with
a mix of guilt, sadness, and also anger that we didn't get the right support. When
James had an anaphylactic reaction at 15 months old it made me very anxious
about keeping him safe. Although it's shaped our experiences, we have worked
hard to focus on what can do and not let it limit our family's life.
How does allergy affect your children’s lives nowadays?
It is constantly present and has to be a consideration in most outings and activities.

As the children get older, they are more aware of their allergies and do find it
difficult sometimes. We help them navigate the challenges from not being able to
have birthday cake at a party, to experiencing an allergic reaction or dealing with
people who don't understand.
I think managing the anxiety has been the biggest challenge for me and also for
James, especially after an anaphylactic reaction last year and hospital admissions for
his asthma. We focus on what we can control – checking ingredients, always
carrying medication and having clear care plans – as well as remembering what
went right, how we recognised the signs and how quickly the adrenaline worked. I
have also personally worked on being more mindful, limiting my time on
Facebook forums, and not letting my thoughts spiral.
Where do I start?! I would like to see immunotherapy for food allergies available on
the NHS. I would like to see more funding into research. I would like to see
allergies as a compulsory subject for all medical students. I would like to see more
awareness and empathy everywhere!
We focus on what we can control
The amazing friends I have made through the allergy community who just 'get it'.
Thank you for paving the way, for making the journey a little easier for my
children.
You are not alone.
I would take it away in a heartbeat if I could. But I also know it has taught me and
my children so much about empathy, resilience and standing up for what we
believe in.
Isabella
Allergie.Kid
I: @allergie.kid
I am a teen girl living in the UK, living an ordinary life with allergies.
I am allergic to dairy, egg, kiwi, pineapple, nuts, soya, pulses and prawns.
I suffer from mild asthma and used to suffer from eczema.
When I was a baby I tried yogurt and had a reaction, so got tested in the hospital
for all the main allergies. Some of my allergies are more recent and I developed
them when I was older.
I have struggled when going out with friends. If they wanted to eat some places
but I couldn’t go, I would feel guilty and worried they were angry (I now know
they don’t get angry because they are really supportive).
My main problem is when you are in a rush or out and about, you can’t just grab
something like a meal deal. You must check all the ingredients and get the same
thing every time.
Learning to live with allergies is a big thing. It’s not easy living with a life
threatening allergy (which for me is nuts) but we have to learn to cope and find
what foods work best for me.
It makes me unique
I would love to see schools teaching kids more about allergies. I’m currently in my
fourth year of secondary school and never in my 11 years in education have I been
in a class being taught about allergies. When I was in primary school, kids would
get told I have a nut allergy so not to bring in nuts or kiwi but that’s it.
I have been supported by all my friends and family all my life. My friends watch
videos about how to work an EpiPen and my family have always been very
supportive of what I can and can’t eat and I never have felt left out.
I would love them to know that even if people seem funny or not normal around
you when they first hear about your allergies, it’s most likely because they are
worried. So I would say tell them it’s nothing to be concerned about as long as they
are careful.
Just be understanding. Don’t get mad at your child if they constantly want to
check ingredients even if you have checked them 100 times over. It just makes us
feel safer.
I feel like it makes me unique and its always a shock to people when they find out
how many allergies I have, so it’s a great story to tell.
Jay
Simply Ash Friendly
W: Coming soon!
I: @ash_friendly
T: @Jitty_Dhanjal
I am a mum of 2 boys, one with multiple food allergies. I am determined

not to let food allergies control us.
What allergies does your child have?
Ash has Multiple Food Allergies to Dairy, Eggs, all Nuts, Soya and Sesame, plus
Dustmites.
Does your child have any related conditions such as eczema, asthma,
hayfever, etc?
Ash had eczema from 4 months and his 1st wheeze attack at 6 months and is
diagnosed with asthma and eczema.
How did you discover your child had allergies?
I have two beautiful boys: Ash who has multiple food allergies and Aran who has
no allergies, but they both suffer with eczema and asthma.
Mentally I had always prepared myself to have a child who may have eczema and
asthma as I used to suffer with both when I was little, but growing up I never had
heard about food allergies and nor did I come across anyone who had been
diagnosed with food allergies.
When Ash was around 3/4 months old we decided to book a holiday to France
with my brother and his wife, they also had a 3/4 month old. In fact Ash and his
cousin were born just 4 days apart. We got to France and settled in, not knowing
that from this point on, our journey with allergies was going to begin. Ash was
purely breastfed. By day 3 in France I started to notice a change in his skin -
slightly red and raised in patches all over his body. At first I thought Ash had been
exposed to too much sun, so I started to keep him in the shade but that had no
effect. I then started to notice that his skin became irritated when I breastfed him
and then after a while it would calm down a little bit, but the redness stayed.
One evening whilst on our holidays, Ash just would not settle. He kept on crying
and his skin had got worse. I was at breaking point. I said to my husband
something is not right, his skin is looking worse. I had no emollients or anything
to calm him down and we decided: if we have to, we will just cut our holiday short
and go home. Everyday when we were in France Ash’s skin would sometimes look
like it was improving and sometimes it would look like it had gotten worse. We
finally made it home and I cannot even tell you the relief I felt as soon as we
touched down.
I booked an appointment with our GP straight away. He assessed Ash and said, “it’s
just baby eczema”. He gave me hydrocortisone steroid cream and prescribed him
with an emollient along with suggesting using a bath oil as he felt Ash’s skin was
very dry. This episode went on for weeks. I was in and out of GP appointments, I
spoke to heath visitors and all of them just kept on saying, “it’s baby eczema”. Deep
down I was not convinced. At times I felt like I was perceived as being crazy as I
kept on repeating myself. We got to a point where Ash had to wear mittens during
the day and night so that he did not scratch his skin; that was the advice of a Health
Visitor.
By month 6 things got worse. His skin had worsened and I started his weaning
journey. His first food I weaned him on was a biscuit rusk and milk which he took
to happily, but when I went to change his nappy I noticed little hives on him. At
the time my mum was staying with us and she said to me, it’s okay it’s his first
foods, it’s normal to have a few hives. We then weaned Ash on to fruits and veg.
He was absolutely fine within himself and wasn’t showing any signs of discomfort.
He took well to all fruits, veg and poultry until I tried to wean him on egg. We
had made scrambled egg, and thought we would try Ash with it. He hadn’t even
eaten the egg, a tiny bit fell on his stomach and his whole stomach came up in
hives. I panicked and called 111, they asked their routine questions and advised me
to give him some infant paracetamol. That night it was clear there was more to
Ash’s skin then just eczema, so we in the end decided to go private medical.
We finally got to see a dermatologist who was amazing. She took one look at Ash
and said, “That does not look like general eczema”. She booked Ash in for a blood
test and prescribed us with anti-histamine and a steroid cream. We followed her
instructions as to how to administer the anti-histamine and how to apply the
steroid cream. The next day Ash’s skin was soft as anything. It was so clear you
couldn’t even tell that he had eczema.
When we went for our follow up appointment, it was then she said that Ash was
showing signs of food allergies to dairy, eggs, nuts, and soya, so therefore she
would refer us to the allergy clinic where further tests will be conducted. She
referred us to a private dietitian because she told me to avoid all foods that Ash was
allergic to as I was still breastfeeding him and he was reacting to foods through my
breastmilk.
It wasn’t till he was 8 months old that he had his first allergy skin test and it was
from then he was officially diagnosed with multiple food allergies and prescribed
with Epi-pens and other medication due to his previous history of wheeze attacks.
Now we are under the care of an amazing allergy specialist whom I have learnt a
lot from. Ash is 7 years old and still has the same allergies. The only one he has
outgrown is wheat, and that in itself has opened up opportunities for more new
foods. However, together, we still are on this allergy journey and continue to raise
allergy awareness together.
How has allergy affected your life/your child’s life in the past?
Allergies has had a big impact on our overall life; however, it has also made our life
a healthier one. In the past my husband and I were free to eat whatever we wanted
to without any care in the world, you can say we were two free birds as we
travelled the world, but now it’s not the same. When we go shopping, we have to
check food ingredients, we have to check the allergen labelling. If we want to dine
out, we have to call ahead to see if they can cater for Ash. Holidays take more
planning.
For social events we have to think about whether we can take Ash or not. Are we
allowed to take food with us to the event? Coming from an Asian background it’s
extremely challenging to take Ash to any social events as the Asian community
does not really understand allergies and its severe impact. So we plan as we go and
we take it one day at a time.
Food wise I feel there’s a lot more out there now, especially since the vegan trend
has started, but 7 years ago when Ash was first diagnosed we spent hours in
supermarket aisles looking for food that would suit his diet. Even today when we
go out to shop for him, we have to shop at various supermarkets to buy a particular
product that is safe.
Build up the right support
network around you
Our social life has been impacted. We still today face many challenges, as people
still do not understand the severity of food allergies and its impact. With detailed
planning holidays are becoming easier, firstly because we know what we are doing
now, but also because holiday destinations are becoming more accommodating. I
just wish airlines were more accommodating too. In the UK we have visited
Wales, the Cotswolds, Cumbria and Cornwall with Ash. Although they were all
self-catering we still tried to eat out on few occasions, but again we had to do a lot
of research and call restaurants well in advance. Some were more helpful than
others in catering for Ash’s diet. We are getting there slowly but surely.
Coming from an Indian family, the people around us and how they perceive us
was, and still is, my biggest challenge. There was a time when I cared about what
people thought of me. Being judged is very common in our community and for
me this is a challenge. When you’re in a dark place you need people that would lift
you up, not people that will bring you down and say “you’re no longer fun to talk
to” or “you’re always miserable”. Yeah, I have had these comments thrown at me
by my loved ones, the ones that I thought would help me through my challenging
journey. In the end I realised I needed to make the change for my mental well-
being and the well-being of my child, so I decided to leave them behind.
Now I am in a better place, I am able to educate people around me and the support
network I now have is amazing. I also run my own allergy support group, it makes
me so happy to know I am here to support the new mums who are on the allergy
journey and they do not feel so alone like I did 7 years ago.
I would love to see so many changes, starting with GPs and health visitors. Early
referral should be a key target of theirs. Then, the NHS allergy testing needs to be
explained more clearly and parents should be able to leave the premises feeling
confident enough to know what they are dealing with. Their expectations need to
be set before leaving the allergy clinic and they should be able to get the support
they require to deal with allergy challenges after the diagnosis. Then we come on
to the dietitians. I would like to see more nutritional information, more regular
follow ups and more reassurance that we are on the right track.
Food labelling needs to be clearer and much more work needs to be done, this is
across the board. I would like to see more food options for Ash. At the moment
food allergen labelling prevents us from buying food he could potentially have.
Airlines need to be able to cater for children with allergies, and all their staff need
to be fully educated on allergies so that the parents get the right message.
Schools need to raise more allergy awareness and education on allergies needs to
reach a larger audience.
We feel that these various industries, especially the food industry, hospitality and
airlines do not really understand the impact of multiple food allergies. We need
people to go around educating staff in the work place, just like companies offer
First Aid training; allergy awareness also needs to be addressed here.
Schools have a long way to go yet. When Ash started school, my anxiety levels
were sky high. We put Ash’s medical health care plan in place. Every year I speak
to his new teacher on a regular basis and go through his health care plan. We
provided a microwave for his sole use at the school and provide all his medication.
Despite everything being in place Ash has still had allergic reactions at school,
which then makes me feel I cannot trust them. But yet I still have to hand him over
everyday so that he gets the education and the independence that he needs. I still
continue to work with the school, because without educating teachers, parents, and
children, we will not succeed to create a safer environment for our children.
At first, we felt very isolated. But then 4 ago years I found AllergyUK and
Anaphylaxis Campaign. Their helplines were a lifeline, and now I host my Allergy
Support Group as a volunteer for Anaphylaxis Campaign and Ash has taken part in
campaigns with Allergy UK. A lot of my learning came from reading about
allergies and then questioning Ash’s allergy specialist on things I did not
understand and I still continue to work with him.
You are not alone, you're amazing and you are our role models, you lead by
example.
It’s okay to not to feel okay. Things may feel challenging at the start but once
you’re in a routine, things will get easier. Never shy away from asking for help
even if it’s a chat: Allergy UK and Anaphylaxis Campaign's helplines are amazing,
use them when you feel like you need to. I used both when I had no one to talk to.
Build up the right support network around you – when you have people that
understand what you’re going through it makes it that little bit easier.
Remember that you’re amazing parents – your child loves you for all you do for
them.
I wish Ash never had them but Ash's allergies have taught me so much. It's taught
me I have a voice, it's taught me to deal with the challenges with a smile, it's made
me realise I am more then just a mum, and the amount of knowledge you gain is
phenomenal. Also it’s taught me how to allow Ash to be independent from an early
age. I love my Ash dearly he is so kind, loving, caring and polite, I wouldn’t
change anything.
José
Children’s Allergy
W: www.thechildrensallergy.co.uk
I: @childrensallergy
FB: /Childrens-Allergy-109164090913833
Consultant Paediatrician in Allergy.
Proud single father of an 11-year-old with nut allergies.
Uncontrollable dreamer and believer in the best in people!
What allergies do you and your child have?
I have grass and tree pollen allergies. I am also allergic to cats. My son also has
allergies to grass and tree pollens. But more significantly, he is allergic to peanuts
and most tree nuts.
I used to suffer from hayfever, until I had immunotherapy. My son has signs of
hayfever, but they are under control.
My son used to have eczema when he was very young. Currently his skin is nice
and soft, so all moisturizers have worked very well. He also used to have a few
wheezy episodes, but has outgrown them with proper medication.
For me I had quite severe reactions to pollens and cat (this one having caused an
anaphylactic reaction once). For my son, he vomited after eating peanuts and
cashew. We both had skin prick tests to confirm our diagnosis.
For myself, it used to be quite troublesome, especially in spring and summer. It was
also not correctly medicated until I decided to do immunotherapy. I still avoid
places where there are cats.
For my son, it is a whole different world. We need to carry his rescue medication
when going out. Read the labels on all we buy and advise staff at places we eat, that
he is allergic to nuts.
As we have it under control and my son is so clued into his allergies, we actually
are not that affected by it. We still read labels, ask if food contains nuts and all the
other safety measures needed, but manage to lead our lives without it affecting us
too much.
In reality, my son doesn’t feel he is excluded from any activities children of his age
do, simply because of his allergies.
Our biggest challenge has been with airlines, mainly Emirates as they really don’t
care about nut allergy sufferers, as they once told me in other words. To paraphrase
them: “our airline is not nut free and you fly at your own risk”. Despite a
complaint I have sent, they changed nothing and we were totally ignored. I
decided not to fly with them again.
Another problem is the common misconception of airborne allergens and the

(wrong) advice given by airlines that nut allergies can be airborne. Their
packaging is also not very well labelled, having led so far to 2 episodes in which my
son had a reaction to a sandwich. Fortunately, it was just vomiting. But it was quite
distressing to all of us.
The list is so long! I believe that increasing awareness and education in allergy is
the main change that needs to occur, before any other important changes happen.
For all that to happen, there needs to be more investment in allergy, leading to
more training (starting in medical and nursing schools – as a side note, I have just
been asked to be a Honorary Clinical Lecturer in Allergy at Warwick
University/Medical School). With that, more research, teaching and awareness will
take place. It will also lead to more investment in Paediatric Allergy services, with
decreasing waiting lists and better care for all children and more support for
parents.
Don't expect the worst, Don't hope
for the best... Take it as it comes.
We are lucky in this aspect, due to my work. So the main support for my son has
been me.
For myself it was an adult respiratory Consultant who agreed to starting tree pollen
immunotherapy. The rest was due to my work and reading into the area. Probably
this was the main reason why I decided to continue studying in allergy.
I tend to tell most of the parents I see:

Don’t expect the worst, don’t hope for the best.
Stay halfway.
Take it as it comes.
That way you will not have a big disappointment but can have big joys.
Life with allergies can and should be a life like one without them. It will take time
for you to get to this “mind state”, but you will.
At some stage I blamed myself for not being able to prevent my child from having
allergies, especially as I work in the field. As time went by, I accepted there is
nothing I could have done.
This is also an important message for other parents, as this “guilt stage” affects all of
them. It happens because it has to happen. Better to not dwell on it and look at
ways to improve both your child’s and your own life.
That is what I have done and try to put into practice every single day I see a child
in my Allergy Clinic.
Kayla
Gutsy Kitchen
W: www.gutsykitchen.com
I: @gutsy.kitchen
FB: /gutsykitchen
A mum of 3 allergy kids, living in New Zealand. Allergy friendly recipe
developer for a local food box company, and healthy, allergy friendly
food expert. Over the last 8 years, I have learned a lot about creating
healthy, allergy friendly food, that not only allergy sufferers will love, but
that the whole family will enjoy. I believe that no one with food allergies,
or dietary restrictions, should have to miss out.
What allergies do your children have?
Currently we are avoiding dairy and gluten for all 3 kids, and myself, as I am
breastfeeding our 2-year-old. Though Ashton, who is 8, is able to tolerate some
dairy, he avoids it as it messes with his hay fever and environmental allergies. Two
of my kids are also particularly sensitive to sugars and artificial colours and flavours
so we avoid them as well. In the past 2 years our allergy list was dairy, soy, wheat,
gluten, eggs, coconut, cashew nuts, avocado, banana and cocoa. We have done
well to have all these resolve in such a short time. Our middle son only had 4 safe
foods until he was about 15 months old.
Do your children have any related conditions such as eczema, asthma,

hayfever, etc?
Ashton, 8, has hay fever and environmental allergies to cats, dogs and dust mites.
The two youngest get eczema, which is mostly controlled by managing strict diets,
and healthy, healing foods.
When Ashton was born 8 years ago, he had colic, reflux, and was generally a
miserable baby. When he was a few weeks old I gave him a bottle of formula and
he instantly came up in a full body rash. The same thing happened with soy
formula. It was really hard to get a diagnosis and we switched all sorts of formulas
and reflux meds until he was 5 months old, and finally diagnosed with failure to
thrive, and we were given Pepti junior to try, which seemed to ease his symptoms,
and later Neocate, which helped even more.

In his first year of life, we had recorded reactions to dairy, soy, gluten, eggs, beef
and tomatoes. Mostly with skin rashes and upset stomach. Then at around 12
months old he had FPIES reactions to dairy, wheat, soy, and later, goats cheese,
where he would vomit profusely 2 - 6 hours after ingestion until he passed out.
Every time we took him to the hospital, they said it was a tummy bug. We had no
ideas about FPIES so he wasn’t diagnosed properly until he was 4 years old, when
our second son received his diagnosis.
When our second son, Felix, was born, he began reacting to foods through
breastmilk in his first 24 hours. By the time he was 6 weeks old, I had reduced my
diet to 5 foods, as he spent most of his day screaming in pain, having reflux
episodes, and stools that ranged from shades of green, to red and black with blood
and sometimes pure mucous. He improved significantly on my total elimination
diet, and was diagnosed with FPIES due to his intense intestinal symptoms to so
many foods and colitis.
When our daughter Hazel was due to be born, I cut all the top allergens from my
diet in preparation, then reintroduced them when she was a few months old. She
reacted to dairy, soy, wheat, eggs, cashews, coconut and a number of other things I
figured out by keeping a food diary. She mostly reacted with rashes and blood and
mucous in her stools. I believe she probably had FPIES like the boys did (now
actually diagnosed as FPIAP) but I didn’t pursue a diagnosis, given I was
breastfeeding her and had a good idea of what to avoid and how to do food trials.
It’s affected every corner of our lives over the last 8 years. There were days when I
was breastfeeding on a total elimination diet that I would cry because I was so
hungry but there was hardly anything I could eat. I lost 25kg (I am naturally small
so this was a huge weight loss) and it was really hard for everyone around me to see
me go through the challenges involved with feeding a baby who was allergic to
most foods.
We’ve had plenty of hospital visits, and many nights wondering how on earth this
became our life. And other times where I’ve just been so grateful to be taken on
this journey of self-discovery and have a chance to learn and change the eating
habits of the whole family for the better. We will never eat the same again. I also
discovered that I am intolerant to gluten and dairy myself, and that really helps me
empathise with the kids. My kids are so good at advocating for themselves; when
my son Ashton was 2, he was able to articulate that he was gluten and dairy free
and would refuse food unless he knew it was safe. We started teaching him to read
food labels at 5 years old and now at 8 he’s an awesome advocate for himself and
his two siblings.
How does allergy affect your lives nowadays?
Since having our daughter I have felt less like food allergies control our lives. In the
last 12 months she has passed about 6 successful food challenges and I’m so proud of
myself that I have managed to breastfeed her through allergies from birth. With the
kids getting older it has become easier to explain to them why we eat the way that
we do, though they are not quite old enough yet that we have to worry about
them making their own food choices when out and about! So we are in a good
place really.
I know that with avoiding dairy and wheat, there is very low risk of anaphylaxis, so
that also makes me feel a little more at ease. In fact, the only time we have ever had
an anaphylactic reaction in our household was actually my husband, who turns out
is allergic to bees (which we found our after we kept bees and hives in our
backyard for over a year!) We all eat a healthier diet because of allergies and I
figure keeping processed foods out of our diet is good for any health condition, and
we can reap benefits from this, for years come.
Definitely doing a strict elimination diet for breastfeeding. In the 10 months I

breastfed our son Felix, I could only ever eat 10 foods, as he reacted to everything
else. I still have post-traumatic stress from enduring over 50 failed food trials that
would make him incredibly sick each time. When we introduced solids, every food
trial would take 10 days, where I would have to introduce the food for 3 days, have
a 3-day break, then reintroduce the food again, for another 3 days. Often, after a
break with the food, his body would recognise it as an allergen. So this saved any
confusion over introducing a food, then suddenly having a reaction to it, in the
middle of another food trial. At 12 months old, Felix only had 4 safe foods. It was a
really testing time for everyone in the family.
I would love to see more funding poured into allergy research. Food allergies is a
new, but sudden and devastating phenomenon, we need to know more about how
they develop, what is causing them, how to best treat them and most importantly,
is there anything we can do to prevent them. I’d love to see more research around
what we can do to best support our own and our children’s bodies to deal with
allergies and eczema.
You have the courage to do this
We have had so much support along the way, sadly not from doctors or medical
professionals but from our families and friends. My husband has been a huge
support to me, he validates my concerns and trusts me whenever my mum instincts
call for action. Even when it seems farfetched, he trusts that I know what is best for
our family.
Your instincts count, if a doctor or medical professional is not listening to you, go

and find someone who will. We should never be made to feel like a burden, or that
we don’t know our own bodies or symptoms.
I believe that we are given this allergy journey because we have what it takes to see
it through. Even when it doesn’t feel like it, we have the strength, determination,
stamina, drive and love to advocate for our children and lead them through this
journey on the best path that we know how. You are strong, you are brave and
you have the courage to do this. When it feels like no one else has your back, never
forget that there is an army of allergy parents out there, ready to cheer you on, pick
you up when you have fallen down and celebrate the wins with you. You have got
this.
How do you feel about living with allergy/having a child with allergies?
I feel everything! Haha – a mix of trauma, exhausted, frazzled, elated, betrayed,

privileged, blessed, and probably everything in between. Mostly though I actually
feel grateful to have been taken on this journey, it has taught me so much about
myself, and has prompted healthy changes for myself and my entire family for the
better. I’ve turned my passion for cooking healthy, allergy friendly food, and
helping people, into work. I’ve met the most incredible people who I now call my
friends, and I just couldn’t imagine my life being any different to what it is today; it
has shaped who I am in so many ways.
Kiri
Imagine... Creative Early Years
W: imaginecreativeearlyyears.co.uk
I: @Kirigill24
I have two wonderful sons and am passionate about the care and
education of young children. I own and manage an ofsted outstanding
nursery in Coventry called Imagine… Creative Early Years
All nuts
Eggs
Lupin
Strawberry
Banana
Peas
Courgette
Aubergine
Cucumber
Honeydew Melon
Watermelon
Pineapple
Mango
Peach
Green Peppers
Latex
Environmental Allergies:
Tree Pollen
Grass
Cats
hayfever, etc?
Eczema, Asthma, Hay Fever, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.
Always give others as much
information as possible
Cael was approximately 8 months old, we were baking cakes and as soon as we
added eggs his face and lips became very swollen. Cael was then referred to the
children's allergy clinic, and each year since he has developed more allergies, and
gone on to have x4 anaphylactic shocks.
Over the last 18 months Cael has been reacting to direct sunlight, warm showers,
and exercise. All of these things cause hives, swelling of the face and lips, coughing
and at times restriction of airways/near anaphylaxis.
How has allergy affected your child's life in the past?
Cael is now 5 years old, since he was born life has been challenging in terms of
food and quality of life. It has caused me great anxiety, stress and sadness to see my
child go through such a challenging time. Seeing my own child have an
anaphylactic shock was the scariest thing I have ever seen and experienced.
Without his epi-pen, he would have died. Since the anaphylactic shocks and
reactions, Cael became a little anxious around food, and would always ask me
before he ate something.
With him being so young, I have been able to control where I take him, who he is
around and know what he has eaten. I use the word control, as controlling these
things reduces my anxiety and more importantly risk. Cael hates skin prick tests,
and is scared of injections, since his experiences with his epi-pen. I suppose my life
has changed significantly, but for Cael he was born this way and we discovered his
first allergy at a young age.
As he is getting older, I am more anxious and Cael has become very anxious
around food, and only wanting to eat the same foods everyday. Cael and I are
currently getting support with this from an amazing children’s dietitian Lucy
Upton. She is amazing, and working with her has already made a difference. I
worry about his growth and vitamin intake, and Lucy is so knowledgeable and
supports me with this. She has been instrumental in supporting us to navigate
through this complex journey of food, along with making food fun and interesting
for us both. Cael and I often see food as ‘the enemy’ however Lucy has and is
supporting us to see food as fun and safe again. This has increased his quality of life
significantly.
Cael has just started school/reception; this has been a huge transition for both of us.
Starting school is a big transition for any family; however, for us it has been a
massive challenge. We are taking it a step at a time, I send a snack in for him at
snack time, and Cael is on a reduced timetable where he leaves school just before
lunch and comes home. Cael has an amazing paediatrician consultant Dr Jose
Costa, he has changed Cael’s life and mine. He has been supportive, and
communicated with Cael’s school ensuring they understand the seriousness of his
allergies and health needs, and has said due to the high risk/ the amount of allergies
Cael has, he must only ever eat food sent in by his mother. I am very happy with
this, as I am not going to be at school, and I need for them to understand and not
underestimate the seriousness of his allergies and be aware of what could happen.
When we have had family events, for example my brother's wedding, I have
always been in charge of food. This way I can ensure Cael is included and safe –
and when I say safe, not just the food but the environment. Cael’s allergies are
airborne too, so it is not just about if he eats something, it matters if it is in the air
and around him too. Many people find this hard to understand. I have worked with
some amazing catering companies, in fact the catering companies I have worked
with have had owners and family members with allergies, so understand my
concerns.
Simple things like birthday cakes, I order from a specific baker. There have been
times when Cael's cousins have had birthday parties and cakes, and Cael was not
allowed the food or cake, for example his cousin had an M&M’s cake. This has
made Cael sad, and me.
The social aspects of his allergies are huge: celebrations, birthday cakes, dining out
and going to school all pose great risk. I want to do all I can to support others,
educate them, and work with them positively to keep Cael safe and help him to feel
included. Inclusion and food allergies, I find, is rarely discussed, or given enough
emphasis.
His friends’ birthday parties, and him visiting friends’ houses will be the next thing
we will have to navigate.
What has been your child’s biggest allergy challenge and how did you
overcome it?
This is a really interesting question. Our biggest challenge is and continues to be

the amount of allergies Cael has. Not just the food allergies, but the environmental
allergies too. This summer just going out of the house for a walk, was a massive
challenge and something we could not do often. We would leave the house and as
soon as we went through the door on a sunny day his face would swell, eyes and
throat close. This impacted upon his quality of life significantly, as most of our time
this summer was spent indoors.
I am not sure we have overcome this challenge, and ever will. However, Dr Jose
Costa has been instrumental in diagnosing Cael’s complex health needs, and
putting in a robust treatment plan. At present Cael is on 3 different antihistamines
which he takes daily, nasal spray, eye drops, inhalers, Montelukast and more
recently he has started some grass immunotherapy treatment. Without this
medication Cael would definitely have more anaphylactic shocks, and he would
struggle on a daily basis. This treatment plan has give Cael back his childhood, and
without Dr Costa’s expert knowledge and robust treatment plan I do not know
where we would be.
This is going to be a lifelong journey of managing, and treating his allergies and
health conditions. However right now we are very lucky and grateful to have an
allergy consultant who has guided us through this and kept us safe. We must never
underestimate the impact healthcare professionals have on the lives of people with
allergies, and how important it is for them to listen to us. Dr Costa took time out
and listened to my concerns, and he did not stop investigating or give up. He
figured out what was going on with Cael’s body and was able to pinpoint all of
Cael’s allergies.
I would like the world to be more aware of allergies, and for us to talk about
allergies more. I would like allergies better recognised in the SEN code of practice,
and for more work to be done around allergies and inclusion. Yes it is about
removing allergens from our diet, however it goes beyond this. I would like people
to see the impact allergies can have on the quality of someone's life, and how
individuals may feel excluded due to having allergies. We need to do more to
ensure every child is included and find a way for them to feel included and have
that sense of belonging to a group, school, event.
Both Lucy Upton and Dr Jose Costa listen to our challenges and without their
expert support Cael would not have the quality of life he does now.
You have a right to be listened to, and included.
Never feel afraid to ask questions, and always give others - teachers, consultants,
doctors etc. as much information as possible.
I feel anxious having a child with so many allergies; however I am very determined
to try my best to ensure his allergies and health conditions do not take away his
childhood, or stop him from having many great opportunities and experiences.
I feel very grateful to Dr Jose Costa and children's dietitian Lucy Upton.
Natalie
The Allergy Badge
W: theallergybadge.com
I: @theallergybadge
FB: /theallergybadge
I’m mummy of Ella age 5, who has anaphylactic peanut and dairy
allergies, and founder of The Allergy Badge training centre. We want to
educate and empower children with allergies and those that care for
them.
Ella has dairy and peanut anaphylactic allergies.
hayfever, etc?
Ella has always suffered with asthma, hayfever and eczema. These often get worse
with the seasons.
Ella was a really unhappy baby and often uncomfortable. She would cry in pain
after feeding and had rashes over her face and body. It was a hard first year not
understanding how to help her or what the answers were. When we finally got a
referral to an allergy consultant, things started to make sense and improve.
How has allergy affected your lives in the past?
When you have a child with life-threatening allergies, it can be tough. Constantly
reading packets and wanting them to always feel included can be exhausting. But
children are resilient and Ella is generally such a happy little girl.
How does allergy affect your lives nowadays?
I think now she’s turned five, she’s starting to ask more questions and is perhaps
noticing things she hadn’t before. That sense of missing out has definitely become
more prominent, which is why we always try our hardest to keep her included at
birthday parties or events by ensuring we have some alternatives – that are just as
exciting as real chocolate cake – but totally safe for her.
You HAVE to get good at planning
and organising
Eating out is a worry too, but we try to not let it stop us and mostly stick to places
we know, where we trust the processes they have in place.
It’s not just Ella that misses out either. We’d love for her sister and brother to eat
whatever they like, especially with all the ice cream shops we walked past this
summer! However, they understand that it’s not fair on Ella –– but it’s still hard for
them. And it goes to show how allergies really do affect more than just the
individual.
What has been your child’s biggest allergy challenge and how did you
overcome it?
Our biggest challenge was the worry of Ella starting nursery. Letting her go from
the bubble we had protected her in. We really felt that education around allergies
could be improved in schools and nurseries as often children spend more time there
than at home. That's where the inspiration for our business came from, and why
we’ve worked hard to become an accredited training provider.
Awareness is so important. Not just for people who have allergies but for all, as you
never know when you might come into contact with someone who has an allergy.
Through education in schools and at home, everyone can learn more around the
processes to put in place that will help not just keep children safe, but support their
mental wellbeing too. It really is vital.
We have had the incredible support of Ella's consultant who has made us feel in
control, educated and hopeful that one day things may improve with her allergies.
We also have wonderful, understanding family and friends who have done
everything from baking allergy-friendly birthday cakes to free-from snacks for all
the kids at play dates. These friends make such a difference to our lives.
Allergies do change how you live your life day to day, and things have to be done
with caution. You HAVE to get good at planning and organising if you want to
make things easier.
At first it all seems so overwhelming, but it does get easier with time and
education. Read as much as you can and subscribe to allergy updates. There’s a
really supportive community of like-minded families on Instagram and Facebook
too, which has really helped us –– especially in those early days of navigating the
unknown.
We could not be prouder of Ella and how she approaches life. She has inspired us
to do what we’re doing with The Allergy Badge and raise awareness as much as we
can. We hope when she’s older she’ll look back and be proud of us too.
Nessa
Munch Free
W: munchfree.com
I: @munch_free
FB: /munchfree
T: @munchfree
I have a 2 year who has a dairy and egg allergy, and it wasn’t until I had
him that I realised I had suffered an allergy my whole life. I created
Munch Free, a free from, vegan and organic baby and toddler food
brand, out of frustration of not being able to find allergy friendly food.
What allergies do you and your child have?
I have a dairy allergy, and my son has a dairy and egg allergy.
I have eczema which has near enough disappeared in the past 5 years since
removing dairy from my diet. I still have occasional outbreaks which may be linked
to cross-contamination, as this usually happens at family events or restaurants.
Thankfully, we have not noticed any related conditions with my son.
I discovered my son had allergies within days of being born. Of course, the nurses
and doctors always said it was colic and reflux, but I just knew it was something
more. He used to constantly break out in hives, scream after feeds and clench his
stomach, with explosive nappies.
Throughout my childhood and teenage days, I used to suffer with eczema and
outbreaks of hives. I was just always told by specialists that I had bad eczema;
allergies were never mentioned. It was not until I had my son that I realised I do
actually have an allergy and that helped me to better manage my outbreaks.
Things are controllable now. We mostly follow a plant-based diet, so dairy and
eggs are eliminated. It does get tricky in restaurants, particularly with poor signage
and awareness of allergies, but hopefully things are getting better.
Always ask for help if you need it
Definitely childcare! I’ve had so many bad experiences where childcare providers
have not understood his allergy and given him food that’s made him react. Even
family members have accidently given him lactose free products instead of dairy
free which has led to outbreaks. It’s so tricky, as you know allergies inside out, but
others don't. You can’t expect everyone to understand, but there should be more
awareness.
Everything! In 2020 I just find there’s no excuse. Launching Munch Free has been
such a slow process as the regulators are so unclear about allergy statements and
labelling. Most manufacturers are not allergy friendly and have ‘may contains’, and
there just generally needs to be more attention to detail. Even with the incoming
allergy changes, more needs to be done.
Mostly allergy mums online. Family have tried to understand, but it’s difficult so
they can’t relate. We have seen a couple of paediatric dietitians, but if anything,
they have been the least helpful, as our allergies have sometimes been dismissed and
downplayed.
Things are getting better, but always check packaging! Sometimes brands do want
to help, but there are lots of restrictions with allergy labelling and manufacturing
processes, that sometimes limits the options available to them.
Always ask for help if you need it, whether it’s from a paediatric dietitian, or
support groups online and in person, there’s always someone who’s been there and
will understand.
The first couple of years with my son were really difficult, as I felt nervous about
eating out and buying the right products. Now, we take ownership as we know
exactly what to look out for.
Tarah
Allergic Traveler
W: allergictraveler.net
I: @allergictraveler
FB: /allergictraveler
T: @allergictravelr
I am the founder of Allergic Traveler, producer of chef cards in 20

languages. Allergic Traveler developed chef cards for those that need to
communicate their allergens whether they are traveling or simply dining
out locally.
I have traveled the world since infancy. I have been to 25 countries and
35 states. I have been to all inclusives, gone on cruises, gone camping,
backpacking through Europe, gone to the big cities, and to the little
hidden gems. I have multiple food allergies, but it does not stop me from
seeing the world.
I am originally from Montreal, QC and now live in Greensboro, NC. I

frequently present, blog, and advocate for the allergy industry.
Eggs, nuts, mushrooms, shellfish, garlic, pork, chicken, sesame and soy. I’m also
intolerant to dairy and gluten.
Yes to eczema and hayfever. I had asthma as a child.
I was rushed to the hospital when I was a few weeks old because I stopped
breathing.
How has allergy affected your life?
I am always prepared, and I spend lots of time in the kitchen experimenting on the
latest dish.
I suppose the hardest allergy challenge would be traveling. However, once you
have done your research and once you have travelled, you know what to expect
and can look forward to it.
I would like to see “natural flavors” and “spices” specifically defined. For instance, I
am allergic to garlic, so that means I cannot buy anything with “spices” listed in the
ingredients.
My mother, my husband, my friends and my sister.
That allergies do not define you, they are just an extension of you. I am so much
stronger because of my allergies.
To breathe! To stop screaming in restaurants. This does not help get our message
across. We need to bring awareness to our cause not attitude!
I feel blessed. I have met some great people because of my food allergies. I have
tried some great dishes because of my food allergies. Allergies have truly given me
the gift of open mindedness.
Allergies do not define you
Thank You
Thank you for reading this ebook. I hope you've found at least
one story that you could relate to!
Don't forget to follow all these amazing interviewees on social

media to keep up to date with what they are doing now, as well
as visiting their websites and supporting their work. The online
allergy community is here to support you, so come and find us!
If you'd like to be featured in a future edition of Allergy Voices,

please email zoe@myallergykitchen.com.

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Allergy

I'm so excited to bring you this, the second edition of Allergy

I've created this ebook because I know from my own experience

As someone who has lived with severe allergies since collapsing as a

This ebook is one building block

to a more empathetic future

What allergies do you and your children have?

How did you discover your children had allergies?

How has allergy affected your life in the past?

How does allergy affect your life nowadays?

missed out on.

Who has supported you on your allergy journey?

How do you feel about having children with allergies?

Hi! I am 15 years old, I live in California, and I love paddleboarding,

What allergies do you have?

How did you discover you had allergies?

My parents discovered I had allergies to each food individually, on different

How has allergy affected you life in the past?

Nowadays, allergies affect my life greatly. I am more aware of my allergy anxiety

Who has supported you on your allergy journey?

My parents have supported me on my allergy journey, but I still would've liked

What would you like other food allergy sufferers to know?

Food allergies are NOT a burden ...

just an obstacle life throws at you

How do you feel about living with allergies?

Although I sometimes have a lot of anxiety about my allergies, I know that I

What allergies do you have?

Peanut, tree nut & lactose intolerance

How did you discover you had allergies?

Growing up lactose intolerant meant I was unable to snack on goldfish, granola

How does allergy affect your life nowadays?

A dream of mine is to be able to provide Epipens to those in need. No one deserves

Who has supported you on your allergy journey?

My mother, friends, and other family members.

What would you like other food allergy sufferers to know?

How do you feel about living with allergy?

My food allergies also affect my eczema - which I've learned to maintain

What allergies do you have?

How did you discover you had allergies?

How has allergy affected your life in the past?

How does allergy affect your life nowadays?

Just personal insecurities when it comes to explaining my allergies to new people,

What would you like other food allergy sufferers to know?

Please just be patient, compassionate, and grateful. You have a beautiful

How do you feel about having a child with allergies?

What allergies do your children have?

Do your children have any related conditions such as eczema, asthma,

How did you discover your children had allergies?

How has allergy affected your children's lives in the past?

It is constantly present and has to be a consideration in most outings and activities.

Who has supported you on your allergy journey?

What would you like other food allergy sufferers to know?

You are not alone.

How do you feel about having a child with allergies?

What allergies do you have?

I suffer from mild asthma and used to suffer from eczema.

How did you discover you had allergies?

How has allergy affected your life in the past?

How does allergy affect your life nowadays?

Who has supported you on your allergy journey?

What would you like other food allergy sufferers to know?

How do you feel about living with allergies?

I am a mum of 2 boys, one with multiple food allergies. I am determined