The Wall of Allergy Wisdom

I wish I knew that babies with eczema have a higher risk of developing allergies, and that it may be worth weaning early for those under certain circumstance as well as needing to avoid food based ingredients (e.g. oat based creams and washes!) for babies with eczema before they've consumed them.

I became allergic to eggs, and anything that contains egg, when I was in my late 20’s. I learnt the hard way. Of all days for the allergy to start…. on my wedding day, and right the way through my 3-week honeymoon in Florida. I felt so poorly .

If you’re prescribed AAI’s to make sure you carry 2 with you at all times. Don’t leave 1 at home and take 1 with you, carry them both with you at all times. Our first one misfired meaning we had to rely on the 2nd one working (thankfully it did) 2-Allergy life can feel lonely. People who don’t live this life don’t always fully understand. Reach out to the allergy community, it’s a fantastic community, we’re empathetic and understand the challenges you’re going through.3-When you’re first diagnosed it can feel extremely overwhelming.

I wished I knew the cause earlier

I wish I had recognised that my child’s problems were allergies. I wish I had stood up sooner, been more confident to say it wasn’t acceptable. I wish he hadn’t been in that much distress for the 1st 2 years of his life and I wish the health visitors had listened to me. You know your child best!

1. A single food allergy can lead to more over time (I now have a long list). 2. Each food allergy can cause different symptoms, mouth blistering, eye swelling, full anaphylaxis with mucus or silent anaphylaxis (looks like in a heavy sleep). 3. Flying with a nut allergy can be terrifying, you never know until you’ve boarded the plane if staff will announce your allergy or not or if food containing nut will be served. I’ve had horrendous experiences.

1. Knowing that it *will* get easier. You might not lose any allergies, but your knowledge and confidence in navigating things will increase. It’s not the end of the world, although it can feel like that, at times. 2. The importance in joining support groups online. I have gained so much knowledge, guidance and help online. 3. That you need to stand up for yourself, or in my case, your children. Not everyone has your best interests at heart and you need to be willing to be direct, ask questions and say no.

1. Always believe in your view of your body, ignore people who claim you're being 'fussy' - they're not the ones who'll be seriously ill a little while after that meal or drink. 2. Allergies rarely go away. Trying a bit now and again to see if they have will just make you very ill. 3. Self catering might seem a hassle, but it can take the fear out of a holiday, and mean you're less likely to be stuck with no food options, or having to eat somewhere that's made you violently ill.

That adults with allergies need adaptations at work and it’s not just about kids in school, that it’s not just peanut allergies that can be airborne, that there’s a difference between gluten free and wheat free