As mentioned in my previous blogs I have only been suffering from anaphylaxis for just over 4 years. However, those 4 years have been one massive learning curve. I quickly learned that people can be extremely insensitive. Sometimes they try to give you advice about your allergies, thinking it is helping you, but the reality is it is only making things worse for you. Most of the time people do not mean to not understand they just find it exceptionally difficult.
I did not grow up with anaphylaxis so from the word go really I was in charge of my own condition rather than my parents. I was the one who had to make others aware of my diagnosis and try to get them to understand. It has truly not been easy and even now, 4 years later, it is hard to get people to truly take it seriously.
I think one of the main issues people have is they think it is a simple case of just avoiding food that has the allergen in it, Whilst this is a major part of stopping allergic reactions from happening it is not the full picture. People often fail to realise that even trace amounts of the food can cause issues. People also can not seem to get their heads around the fact that it is not just ingesting the allergen that is a problem, but often people have the issue of their allergy being airborne or a contact allergy where simply touching something or even breathing in the allergen itself can cause major issues.
If I were to think about what the hardest part of living with allergies has been, in my personal opinion it would have to be the lack of understanding others have. A lot of the time they truly think I am just plain over-exaggerating when I look at the packaging on something and say "I cannot eat that as it may contain nuts". Trying to explain it is more than not like talking to a brick wall, or it will go in one ear and straight back out the other. It gets extremely frustrating as we are not talking about a simple reaction that involves a rash, we are talking about a reaction which if not treated properly could have dire consequences.
Just the other day I was at in my boyfriend's flat. Like me he lives in student accommodation and shares with 6 other people. We were in his kitchen/living room and 2 of his flat mates as well as one of their friends were their. We were all having a drink together and one of his flat mates had asked someone to go to the shops to buy him peanuts. I said to him could he refrain from buying peanuts as I have a severe allergy to them. I went away for 20 minutes and came back to him eating a bag of peanuts. I stayed well away from him and made sure not to touch things he had come into contact with.
I think one of the problems with trying to make people aware is anaphylaxis as a condition is not very well known. For the most part people know allergies exist however more often than not they associate an allergic reaction as being an itchy rash or even as hayfever. Whilst these are both annoying they are not considered to be life threatening.
Thursday, 22 January 2015
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
25 Gift Ideas for someone with allergies
I asked the allergy community on new ideas for blog posts as I love other people's input when it comes to something which is set out to help other people. One of the suggestions that arose was "gift buying for people with allergies". I know the struggle it is for other people to buy me gifts. They find that "normal" items to buy people such as chocolates, flowers, make-up, cosmetics etc. are off limits. Here's some ideas on things to buy. Of course it does all depend on the gender as well as the age of the person. It also depends on the person's personality and likes and dislikes. If you were going to buy the person something edible or a cosmetic product then it would be best to ask the person what they know they are safe with so as to ensure their safety.
1. Chocolates/Sweets the person can eat
2. Handbag/rucksack
3. Purse/wallet
4. Book
5. Diary
6. Game console game/computer game
7. Cosmetics they can use
8. Bed wear (e.g. pyjama's, slippers, woolly socks, dressing gown, onesie etc.)
9. Underwear
10. Socks
11. A gift voucher for a shop they like
12. Money
13. Photo frame/photo album
14. Headphones
15. Board game
16. A toy
17. A cup/mug
18. Personalised things (such as things with their name on it, their date of birth, their wedding day etc.)
19. A subscription to an online game they play
20. A DVD/CD
21. Jewellery
22. Duvet cover, bed sheets, pillow cases etc.
23. Alcohol
24. A trip to somewhere special (such as a theme park, a theatre trip, a tour of somewhere etc.)
25. Shoes/clothes
1. Chocolates/Sweets the person can eat
2. Handbag/rucksack
3. Purse/wallet
4. Book
5. Diary
6. Game console game/computer game
7. Cosmetics they can use
8. Bed wear (e.g. pyjama's, slippers, woolly socks, dressing gown, onesie etc.)
9. Underwear
10. Socks
11. A gift voucher for a shop they like
12. Money
13. Photo frame/photo album
14. Headphones
15. Board game
16. A toy
17. A cup/mug
18. Personalised things (such as things with their name on it, their date of birth, their wedding day etc.)
19. A subscription to an online game they play
20. A DVD/CD
21. Jewellery
22. Duvet cover, bed sheets, pillow cases etc.
23. Alcohol
24. A trip to somewhere special (such as a theme park, a theatre trip, a tour of somewhere etc.)
25. Shoes/clothes
Monday, 19 January 2015
Allergy induced bullying
Bullying is a very unfortunate part of life that happens to the majority of us at some point or other. That does not mean it is acceptable but in today's reality it happens more often than I would care to think about. Like so many others, growing up I suffered bullying for many years. It was mainly emotional bullying that would focus on my appearance. My weight was openly criticised by so many people around me as well as other things I found myself being very self concious about. One thing I never thought someone would bully me about was my health issues, in particular my allergies. How wrong I was. It has happened more times than I even want to remember but I remember every incident so vividly like it's a tape re-playing constantly in my head. It made me isolate myself. It began to make me feel so ashamed of my conditions. I just wanted to fit in so I began to become careless with my allergies. I would not bother looking at labels when amongst company my own age because I did not want to seem strange to others, I did not want others to comment. It took a few years for me to finally realise that the people who truly matter are the ones who know about your conditions but do not comment negatively about them. They are the people who take notice and look out for you.
I remember my first incident of bullying due to my allergies. I was in my 2nd year at high school. This was before I developed severe allergies but still suffered annoying allergies to food colourings which would make me come out in massive blotches which in turn would leave me scratching my skin, sometimes to the point where it would bleed. A boy in my class at school knew about my allergies. There was a bottle of blue food colouring sitting on a shelf. He grabbed hold of it, opened it and tipped it over my hand when I was not looking in his direction. I automatically turned around and on realising what had happened I asked why he just did what he did. He laughed at me and that encouraged others in the class to laugh too. He looked at me and said "you're a liar. Nobody has allergies to food colouring. Stop being such an attention seeker". I tried to get on with class when the bell rang however within 30 minutes I had to ask to be excused to the school office. My hand had swelled up and my body was covered in my usual itchy, blotchy rash. I was sent home from school and after a lot of antihistamine I began to feel better.
Other instances have occurred that are not commonly thought of as bullying. I remember dating a boy who had a best friend who also liked me. I would frequently end up in hospital due to not only my allergies but my severe asthma too. I would have to cancel going out with the boy I was dating because I was too unwell. I would receive phone calls off his best friend shouting at me down the phone, telling me that I was faking it for attention. He would say I was just being over dramatic and nobody is that sick. When I would end up in hospital he would laugh at me and tell me I was just being a drama queen. I remember going out to eat with the two of them. Before ordering my food I let the waitress know about my severe allergies. She left and the boy said to me that I was an embarrassment. It is just a peanut it is not going to do anything to me and I should stop being so stupid. I remember being constantly upset because off all the comments he would make. At the time I felt so helpless and like I did not know what to do. Looking back I realise what I should have done. I should have just walked away from the situation. I should have let him know that he cannot treat me like that.
I am now nearly 21 years old and I look back on the years with my health conditions. I used to hide them away like I was ashamed off them. I used to fear people knowing about things. Now I look at it all like "these are a part of my life that are not going away". If people treat me in a negative manner because of my health issues then they do not deserve to be part of my life. I did not choose this lifestyle, but I have learned to live my life around it all. Everyone deserves to be treated nicely. Nobody deserves to be isolated and made to feel like they are any less of a person because of a condition which is out with their control. The stronger person is the one who can admit that yes they may not have the life of others their age but they are not different, they are still a person. Food allergies are a major annoyance. They can be a massive inconvenience to your life but you are still a person and don't deserve people to be horrible to you.
I remember my first incident of bullying due to my allergies. I was in my 2nd year at high school. This was before I developed severe allergies but still suffered annoying allergies to food colourings which would make me come out in massive blotches which in turn would leave me scratching my skin, sometimes to the point where it would bleed. A boy in my class at school knew about my allergies. There was a bottle of blue food colouring sitting on a shelf. He grabbed hold of it, opened it and tipped it over my hand when I was not looking in his direction. I automatically turned around and on realising what had happened I asked why he just did what he did. He laughed at me and that encouraged others in the class to laugh too. He looked at me and said "you're a liar. Nobody has allergies to food colouring. Stop being such an attention seeker". I tried to get on with class when the bell rang however within 30 minutes I had to ask to be excused to the school office. My hand had swelled up and my body was covered in my usual itchy, blotchy rash. I was sent home from school and after a lot of antihistamine I began to feel better.
Other instances have occurred that are not commonly thought of as bullying. I remember dating a boy who had a best friend who also liked me. I would frequently end up in hospital due to not only my allergies but my severe asthma too. I would have to cancel going out with the boy I was dating because I was too unwell. I would receive phone calls off his best friend shouting at me down the phone, telling me that I was faking it for attention. He would say I was just being over dramatic and nobody is that sick. When I would end up in hospital he would laugh at me and tell me I was just being a drama queen. I remember going out to eat with the two of them. Before ordering my food I let the waitress know about my severe allergies. She left and the boy said to me that I was an embarrassment. It is just a peanut it is not going to do anything to me and I should stop being so stupid. I remember being constantly upset because off all the comments he would make. At the time I felt so helpless and like I did not know what to do. Looking back I realise what I should have done. I should have just walked away from the situation. I should have let him know that he cannot treat me like that.
I am now nearly 21 years old and I look back on the years with my health conditions. I used to hide them away like I was ashamed off them. I used to fear people knowing about things. Now I look at it all like "these are a part of my life that are not going away". If people treat me in a negative manner because of my health issues then they do not deserve to be part of my life. I did not choose this lifestyle, but I have learned to live my life around it all. Everyone deserves to be treated nicely. Nobody deserves to be isolated and made to feel like they are any less of a person because of a condition which is out with their control. The stronger person is the one who can admit that yes they may not have the life of others their age but they are not different, they are still a person. Food allergies are a major annoyance. They can be a massive inconvenience to your life but you are still a person and don't deserve people to be horrible to you.
Tuesday, 16 December 2014
Eating out with food allergies
December 13th 2014 marked a rather large milestone when looking at food allergies and anaphylaxis. A new legislation was introduced which primarily means that places serving food have to provide information about their food and any potential food allergens. This blog post shall be focusing on something which is a very difficult challenge when dealing with food allergies, and has been made slightly easier with the new legislation in place, eating out.
Eating out is something which is considered a treat in the majority of people's lives, however for someone with a food allergy it's often more hard work than it's worth so many people with food allergies avoid eating out however, this does not have to be the case. It is more difficult trying to find somewhere classified as "safe" when eating out but this does not mean that you have to avoid it altogether. Over time you learn where is good to eat and where you should probably avoid. I quickly learned that a simple meal out with food allergies is no simple task. After being diagnosed with a severe nut allergy places like: Chinese, Indian, Thai were completely off the menu as for the majority these food outlets use nut oil to cook their food in. Even places like McDonald's could potentially prove a risk due to their desserts. Here are some of my top tips when dealing with eating out and a food allergy.
1. Make sure to carry all medication
I think is this probably the most important advice I could give regarding this subject. It's one thing to find somewhere safe but it's another to be carrying medication. Even if you know somewhere is safe for you to eat you need to carry medication with you because the reality is you are better being safe than sorry. You do not want to end up in a situation where you need your medication but it is at home or in the car.
2. Check allergy advice
I have found that even though sometimes staff within food outlets can be clueless regarding allergies for the most part food places will have some sort of allergy advice. This may be online or in the form of a folder/booklet in the place itself. It's important to always check this advice even if you have eaten something before as eating places can change their suppliers or the way they cook something without warning and there might not be any outward sign of this so it is a really good idea to double check the ingredients. This can often seem like a very tedious task, particular when you are a young adult as you do not want to seem different. I often viewed it this way when I was first diagnosed with allergies however I soon came to realise that I would much rather prefer spending a few minutes checking allergy advice than having to go through calling 999 to a restaurant.
3. Make sure anyone you're eating out with is aware of your allergies
In case anything were to happen it is a good idea to prior warn those you are eating out with about your allergies. You do not have to go into massive detail about it as the idea is not to scare the other person/people but to bring awareness to them. This is particularly important if you struggle with contact allergies as it lets the other person/people know to avoid your allergen at all costs to help you to hopefully stop an allergic reaction occurring.
4. Ask for your meal to be made first
When out and about I always ask if my meal can be made before other people's. This is not because I feel I am a priority in receiving my food it is to try and avoid my allergens at all costs. I have found that eating places seem okay with this (for the most part this is in actual restaurants rather than fast food places).
5. Let your server know about your allergies
Explain to the waiting staff that you have allergies and what they are. This is another good step in helping stay away from any potential problems. Often the person will write it down and make the kitchen staff aware. I have also had occasions where they have had the chef come out and speak to me in order to try and make sure everything is clear and I am okay with what they are doing. This also makes the staff aware that washing their hands before preparing your food or cooking it away from everything else if possible may be a good idea.
6. Have medic alert jewellery
No one wants to be in a life threatening situation however this can be a serious life-saver if one unfortunately occurs. It can often do the speaking if you are unable to. Some medic alert warnings come with wallet cards where you can go into more detail about things such as your next of kin, address, date of birth, allergies and medication. This can seriously help medical staff when treating you as often allergic reactions can cause throat swelling and/or breathing issues which makes it difficult to talk. Even when others are with you it can be hard to rely on them to relay all the information to emergency staff as people panic and may not be able to remember everything.
Eating out is something which is considered a treat in the majority of people's lives, however for someone with a food allergy it's often more hard work than it's worth so many people with food allergies avoid eating out however, this does not have to be the case. It is more difficult trying to find somewhere classified as "safe" when eating out but this does not mean that you have to avoid it altogether. Over time you learn where is good to eat and where you should probably avoid. I quickly learned that a simple meal out with food allergies is no simple task. After being diagnosed with a severe nut allergy places like: Chinese, Indian, Thai were completely off the menu as for the majority these food outlets use nut oil to cook their food in. Even places like McDonald's could potentially prove a risk due to their desserts. Here are some of my top tips when dealing with eating out and a food allergy.
1. Make sure to carry all medication
I think is this probably the most important advice I could give regarding this subject. It's one thing to find somewhere safe but it's another to be carrying medication. Even if you know somewhere is safe for you to eat you need to carry medication with you because the reality is you are better being safe than sorry. You do not want to end up in a situation where you need your medication but it is at home or in the car.
2. Check allergy advice
I have found that even though sometimes staff within food outlets can be clueless regarding allergies for the most part food places will have some sort of allergy advice. This may be online or in the form of a folder/booklet in the place itself. It's important to always check this advice even if you have eaten something before as eating places can change their suppliers or the way they cook something without warning and there might not be any outward sign of this so it is a really good idea to double check the ingredients. This can often seem like a very tedious task, particular when you are a young adult as you do not want to seem different. I often viewed it this way when I was first diagnosed with allergies however I soon came to realise that I would much rather prefer spending a few minutes checking allergy advice than having to go through calling 999 to a restaurant.
3. Make sure anyone you're eating out with is aware of your allergies
In case anything were to happen it is a good idea to prior warn those you are eating out with about your allergies. You do not have to go into massive detail about it as the idea is not to scare the other person/people but to bring awareness to them. This is particularly important if you struggle with contact allergies as it lets the other person/people know to avoid your allergen at all costs to help you to hopefully stop an allergic reaction occurring.
4. Ask for your meal to be made first
When out and about I always ask if my meal can be made before other people's. This is not because I feel I am a priority in receiving my food it is to try and avoid my allergens at all costs. I have found that eating places seem okay with this (for the most part this is in actual restaurants rather than fast food places).
5. Let your server know about your allergies
Explain to the waiting staff that you have allergies and what they are. This is another good step in helping stay away from any potential problems. Often the person will write it down and make the kitchen staff aware. I have also had occasions where they have had the chef come out and speak to me in order to try and make sure everything is clear and I am okay with what they are doing. This also makes the staff aware that washing their hands before preparing your food or cooking it away from everything else if possible may be a good idea.
6. Have medic alert jewellery
No one wants to be in a life threatening situation however this can be a serious life-saver if one unfortunately occurs. It can often do the speaking if you are unable to. Some medic alert warnings come with wallet cards where you can go into more detail about things such as your next of kin, address, date of birth, allergies and medication. This can seriously help medical staff when treating you as often allergic reactions can cause throat swelling and/or breathing issues which makes it difficult to talk. Even when others are with you it can be hard to rely on them to relay all the information to emergency staff as people panic and may not be able to remember everything.
Sunday, 9 November 2014
Moving out with allergies and anaphylaxis
For the older young person one of the new challenges faced is moving out of the comforts of home life to live independently. There is obviously no set age for this and it can be a much more challenging experience for young people with health problems to the extent they are scared to move out.
I don't have much experience of living away from home as it's a pretty new experience for me. At 20 years old, in September of this year, I took the decision to move into student accommodation that my University supplies. This was not a decision I made lightly and a lot of me still wanted to stay at home where my mum was close to hand and there if I needed her. However, it's been a really big learning curve for me and something I am grateful to have experienced.
So here are some tips regarding moving away from home, whether that be to student accommodation or to a flat of you're own, hopefully this will provide some help and reassurance.
1. If living in student accommodation try and move into self-catering
A lot of Universities will supply both catering and self-catering accommodation. Catering normally consists of where you get your breakfast and dinner provided for you whereas Self-catering gives you a lot more independence towards what you cook. My University doesn't provide the choice but even if it were to I would have chosen self-catering so I were to be 100% certain that my food doesn't contain my allergens.
2. Let your flat mates know about your allergies
As I said in my post concerning dating with allergies this can be a very difficult thing to do. You don't want to feel different from those surrounding you but it's something that really needs to be done. Particularly if you suffer from an airborne allergy or a contact allergy. I'll give an example of something that has occurred whilst I've been living in student accommodation. I suffer from anaphylaxis to peanuts and my allergy is also a contact allergy. I had been out of the flat staying at home for a few days and one of my flat mates thought it would be okay to eat some peanut butter. She must have accidentally left some peanut butter on the worktop she had used and I must have touched it. In turn I must have then have touched my face, mouth etc. Within two hours my body suffered an anaphylactic reaction to the peanut butter and I had to be taken to hospital. My flat mate felt extremely guilty and apologised to me about it. She did not realise that I could suffer a reaction even if I was not in the flat of at the time. It's very important your flat mates know the severity of your allergy and the major things to avoid. It is not to say they cannot eat the things you're allergic to however if they do to take some steps to ensure you will not come into contact with it. For example: wiping down worktops with something like dettol and disposing of the cloth used to wipe the surface, washing all cutlery used immediately after eating the product, storing the product away from anything you may come into contact with such as in their own cupboard etc. You could possibly write a list of your food allergies and stick it on a notice board in your kitchen so they can be reminded of things.
3. If possible ask for your own fridge
Universities have strict health and safety policies concerning extra furniture so you would most likely require permission for this before doing so. I got permission from my University to have my own small sized fridge in my bedroom in order to try limit any contact with other people's food that may cause an allergic reaction. This is definitely more important if you suffer from an allergy to something very common such as milk or peanuts or tree nuts as students tend to have these things stored in the fridge.
4. Telling your flat mates what to do in case of an emergency
Along with telling your flat mates about your allergies let them know what to do in case of an emergency. When I discussed things with my flat mates I let them know that I have my medication with me at all times and if I were to suffer an allergic reaction I would have to administer my epi-pen and an ambulance would have to be called. This not only allows them to understand the severity of what happens if I come into contact with something I'm allergic to but also helps them become aware of things and would most likely help them to remain calm in an emergency situation.
5. Let your University know about your allergies
When I was applying to accommodation there was a part of the application that asked you to put down any health issues that may affect you whilst staying in accommodation. This is a very vital thing to do so they know the situation if you were to have to call an ambulance to your accommodation. Often Universities will have policies about calling ambulances. Due to the nature of student life the majority of ambulances called out to student accommodation are likely to be drink related. You need to let the University know that yours is genuinely a serious situation and you genuinely do need help.
6. Keep in contact with your parents/guardians
Parents and guardians will worry about their child when they move away from home, this will be a lot worse for them when their child suffers from a health condition such as a food allergy. It is a good idea to try talk to your parents/guardians at least once a day. Send them a text message, a facebook message or talk to them on the phone to reassure them that you're okay. This will really help keep them at ease that there are no problems as if they don't hear from you alarm bells may start ringing that something bad has happened.
7. Take an interest in learning to cook
Due to the issue of ready meals carrying the risk of containing allergens or having may contains I wouldn't advise using these. I would definitely advise trying to learn how to cook things. It doesn't have to be seriously complicated things, you can make really tasty pasta from scratch or by using a safe pasta sauce for you. You can make things really easily and quickly that taste really good and are safe for you to eat. It's a good idea to invest in a cook book, or if you don't want to do this then there are a lot of websites online that supply recipes that you can try.
8. Medical awareness jewellery
I have found this to be a complete life-saver! I personally have a medic alert bracelet that says on it "Brittle asthma, anaphylaxis: nuts, penicillin, clarithromycin & others. Carries: adrenaline". I also keep the wallet card that came with my bracelet in my purse. It's proved really helpful when I've had to call for help. Due to the nature of anaphylaxis and it often causing difficulties with breathing it's useful to have an aid which can speak for you when you are not capable of speaking. If you don't want to invest in a medic alert bracelet or something similar you can get make your own message on a piece of paper writing down what you want it to say. Personally I would advise you to have on it:
I don't have much experience of living away from home as it's a pretty new experience for me. At 20 years old, in September of this year, I took the decision to move into student accommodation that my University supplies. This was not a decision I made lightly and a lot of me still wanted to stay at home where my mum was close to hand and there if I needed her. However, it's been a really big learning curve for me and something I am grateful to have experienced.
So here are some tips regarding moving away from home, whether that be to student accommodation or to a flat of you're own, hopefully this will provide some help and reassurance.
1. If living in student accommodation try and move into self-catering
A lot of Universities will supply both catering and self-catering accommodation. Catering normally consists of where you get your breakfast and dinner provided for you whereas Self-catering gives you a lot more independence towards what you cook. My University doesn't provide the choice but even if it were to I would have chosen self-catering so I were to be 100% certain that my food doesn't contain my allergens.
2. Let your flat mates know about your allergies
As I said in my post concerning dating with allergies this can be a very difficult thing to do. You don't want to feel different from those surrounding you but it's something that really needs to be done. Particularly if you suffer from an airborne allergy or a contact allergy. I'll give an example of something that has occurred whilst I've been living in student accommodation. I suffer from anaphylaxis to peanuts and my allergy is also a contact allergy. I had been out of the flat staying at home for a few days and one of my flat mates thought it would be okay to eat some peanut butter. She must have accidentally left some peanut butter on the worktop she had used and I must have touched it. In turn I must have then have touched my face, mouth etc. Within two hours my body suffered an anaphylactic reaction to the peanut butter and I had to be taken to hospital. My flat mate felt extremely guilty and apologised to me about it. She did not realise that I could suffer a reaction even if I was not in the flat of at the time. It's very important your flat mates know the severity of your allergy and the major things to avoid. It is not to say they cannot eat the things you're allergic to however if they do to take some steps to ensure you will not come into contact with it. For example: wiping down worktops with something like dettol and disposing of the cloth used to wipe the surface, washing all cutlery used immediately after eating the product, storing the product away from anything you may come into contact with such as in their own cupboard etc. You could possibly write a list of your food allergies and stick it on a notice board in your kitchen so they can be reminded of things.
3. If possible ask for your own fridge
Universities have strict health and safety policies concerning extra furniture so you would most likely require permission for this before doing so. I got permission from my University to have my own small sized fridge in my bedroom in order to try limit any contact with other people's food that may cause an allergic reaction. This is definitely more important if you suffer from an allergy to something very common such as milk or peanuts or tree nuts as students tend to have these things stored in the fridge.
4. Telling your flat mates what to do in case of an emergency
Along with telling your flat mates about your allergies let them know what to do in case of an emergency. When I discussed things with my flat mates I let them know that I have my medication with me at all times and if I were to suffer an allergic reaction I would have to administer my epi-pen and an ambulance would have to be called. This not only allows them to understand the severity of what happens if I come into contact with something I'm allergic to but also helps them become aware of things and would most likely help them to remain calm in an emergency situation.
5. Let your University know about your allergies
When I was applying to accommodation there was a part of the application that asked you to put down any health issues that may affect you whilst staying in accommodation. This is a very vital thing to do so they know the situation if you were to have to call an ambulance to your accommodation. Often Universities will have policies about calling ambulances. Due to the nature of student life the majority of ambulances called out to student accommodation are likely to be drink related. You need to let the University know that yours is genuinely a serious situation and you genuinely do need help.
6. Keep in contact with your parents/guardians
Parents and guardians will worry about their child when they move away from home, this will be a lot worse for them when their child suffers from a health condition such as a food allergy. It is a good idea to try talk to your parents/guardians at least once a day. Send them a text message, a facebook message or talk to them on the phone to reassure them that you're okay. This will really help keep them at ease that there are no problems as if they don't hear from you alarm bells may start ringing that something bad has happened.
7. Take an interest in learning to cook
Due to the issue of ready meals carrying the risk of containing allergens or having may contains I wouldn't advise using these. I would definitely advise trying to learn how to cook things. It doesn't have to be seriously complicated things, you can make really tasty pasta from scratch or by using a safe pasta sauce for you. You can make things really easily and quickly that taste really good and are safe for you to eat. It's a good idea to invest in a cook book, or if you don't want to do this then there are a lot of websites online that supply recipes that you can try.
8. Medical awareness jewellery
I have found this to be a complete life-saver! I personally have a medic alert bracelet that says on it "Brittle asthma, anaphylaxis: nuts, penicillin, clarithromycin & others. Carries: adrenaline". I also keep the wallet card that came with my bracelet in my purse. It's proved really helpful when I've had to call for help. Due to the nature of anaphylaxis and it often causing difficulties with breathing it's useful to have an aid which can speak for you when you are not capable of speaking. If you don't want to invest in a medic alert bracelet or something similar you can get make your own message on a piece of paper writing down what you want it to say. Personally I would advise you to have on it:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Address
- Next of kin (who you want contacted in case of an emergency. It's often good to put down two people in case one is unavailable).
- Allergies (you could even state what type of reaction they cause and place them into categories).
- Medications
- Medical conditions
You could also put things on it like Dr's name and address, any consultants you may be under etc.
9. Register with a nearby Doctor's surgery
Often people move hours away from their home to attend University/college or simply to move out. It is absolutely pointless of you living in one place and your GP being hundreds of miles away back home. Sometimes when allergies flare up you need an emergency prescription of some anti-histamines or steroid tablets and these can often be hard to come by if you don't have a local doctor's practice. It is also often vital to be registered with a local doctor to get any prescriptions you may need. It is essential to keep epi-pens which are in date as well as any other medication such as anti-histamines or inhalers.
10. Make sure your medication is in date
Further to my above suggestion this is essential. Making sure things like epi-pens are in date are a must. They normally expire within a year of getting them so it's absolute that you have a new prescription if/when this does happen. Make sure you have two epi-pens with you at all times. It's often a good idea to have two sets of epi-pens at your new living area. I personally have 2 in the hand bag I take with me out and 2 kept separately within my accommodation in a drawer.
11. Have an emergency plan
Obviously no one wants to end up having an emergency but it's a very good idea to have a set plan in place in case this were to happen. Make sure you have someone you can call who is close at hand in case there were an emergency. This could be a flat mate, or if you're in student accommodation someone who lives close by. It is advisable to call your parent/guardian to let them know what's going on so they are aware. Be aware of your local emergency number (this is more for people who move to a different country). Have directions to your local hospital and know how to get back from the hospital as often people are discharged from the hospital 4-6 hours after their reaction if they are stable. Have a plan of how to get home if this were to happen for example: taxi, calling someone to take you back etc. If you were to go back yourself in a taxi it is often a good idea to call someone to come and meet you at the hospital to make sure nothing were to happen when going back. It's a good idea to have an emergency amount of money, enough for a taxi fare, so you will not be struggling to get home.
12. Don't share cooking utensils and cleaning products
Have your own stock of things like crockery, cutlery etc. Also have your own sponges, dish towels etc. A tip can be to have your own basin to wash your things in which you put in the sink. Rubber gloves can also be a good idea to clean things with as well as when you're doing things like taking the bins out or cleaning things like worktops and such.
12. Don't share cooking utensils and cleaning products
Have your own stock of things like crockery, cutlery etc. Also have your own sponges, dish towels etc. A tip can be to have your own basin to wash your things in which you put in the sink. Rubber gloves can also be a good idea to clean things with as well as when you're doing things like taking the bins out or cleaning things like worktops and such.
Friday, 7 November 2014
Dating with food allergies and anaphylaxis
Being a young person can be extremely difficult at the best of times. You're finding yourself as a person and exploring new possibilities. One of these is meeting someone you like and possibly starting to go out on dates with them and getting into a relationship with them. This can be a challenging experience for any young person however living with food allergies and anaphylaxis often complicates things. It can be difficult to get the other person to understand how your condition affects you and the implications it may. You also may not want to seem different so may lie about having your condition or down play the seriousness of the condition.
Most young people wouldn't think twice about having peanut butter on toast for breakfast or having a Reece's pieces as a snack. However, for someone suffering from a severe allergy to tree nuts or peanuts this simple snack will pose severe problems. The first thing I will say is it's important to let the other person know about your allergies. This can be an extremely difficult thing to do. When you want someone to like you often you don't want them to think of you as "weird" or "strange". You want them to see you like anyone else your age. You don't have to tell them all the specifics of your condition but at least cover the basics.
1. Let the person know about your allergies
As described above this can become a challenge however it is a very essential thing to do. You need to let them know about the foods in which you are allergic to so the person can try their best to avoid things. Let them know about things that may have your allergy in it. This may seem patronising as it's common sense to know that peanut butter contains peanuts but some things are not so obvious.
2. Tell the person to some degree what happens if you come into contact with something your allergic to
You don't have to tell them about your experiences of being in hospital with your allergies but letting them know how your condition affects you is a step in the right direction. Let them know that your allergy isn't simply a rash it is a severe condition. Tell them about the symptoms you get of your allergy. Being honest with them is a very vital thing to do. Don't down play the severity of things as this can make the person more inclined to ignore your warnings. Sometimes people think you're exaggerating when you say "my condition is life-threatening" however it is something that is imperative you do. Let them know the implications for you coming into contact with what you're allergic to. Maybe tell them that if you do have something that you can't have then you will need to go to hospital.
3. Tell them about your epi-pen
This can seem like a very daunting thing to explain to someone. I've had both good and bad experiences regarding showing someone my epi-pen. I had someone say to me "You've got to stick a needle in your leg!" whilst I've also had someone say "that's pretty cool". Explain to them that if you do have a reaction you will need to administer your epi-pen. Sometimes it's even a good idea to get a trainer epi-pen off your doctor (places like the anaphylaxis campaign also supply them) and show them how to use it so the process doesn't seem so daunting if it were to happen that you were to have to use it. Tell them what to do in the case of needing to use an epi-pen (calling 999 etc.).
4. Pre-plan your dates with them
Think about where you're going beforehand. This ensures that if you were going to an eating place you can check the allergen advice beforehand. Lots of eating places now publish their allergen advice online as well as having it available when you get there. Make sure to take into consideration that often eating places cannot completely guarantee the lack of cross contamination where your allergy is concerned. Suggest places which you know are safe for you to go to.
5. Carry all medication with you
It can sometimes be difficult to feel different from all your peers and those surrounding you however it's vital to make sure you take all your medication with you on a date. Hopefully nothing will happen whilst you're with the person but you need to be safe in case of a situation where you do need your medication.
6. Medical awareness jewellery
Something I've found very useful is my medic alert bracelet. You can get these of websites such as:
Medic alert: http://www.medicalert.org.uk/
Allermates: http://www.allermates.com/
These often come with very good wallet/purse cards which give information on what medical conditions you have and a number to call if anything were to happen. These can very useful for medical staff when assessing your condition and can help speak in an emergency situation when you cannot.
7. Have a clear emergency contact written in your phone
Nowadays people have the contact ICE written in their phone. This is the 'In case of emergency' contact, so the person you would want contacted if an emergency did occur. Have it clearly labelled on your phone who your emergency contact is so they can be contacted if need be. Some people have stickers on the back of their phone explaining who to call if anything were to happen and this can often be a good idea.
8. Don't kiss someone unless you know what they've been eating
If you have any doubts as to what someone has consumed do not risk kissing them. It is a common misconception that the person has to eat the allergen to have a reaction but in a lot of patients this is not the case as the protein, the thing that causes the allergen, can be transferred from mouth to mouth contact. When people get older and start going on night's out to clubs and pubs and such, often they will kiss someone whom they have never met before and know nothing about. This is best avoided if you suffer from a life-threatening allergy, or an allergy of any sort, as you have absolutely no idea what the person has come into contact with. It is not worth risking your health over!
Most young people wouldn't think twice about having peanut butter on toast for breakfast or having a Reece's pieces as a snack. However, for someone suffering from a severe allergy to tree nuts or peanuts this simple snack will pose severe problems. The first thing I will say is it's important to let the other person know about your allergies. This can be an extremely difficult thing to do. When you want someone to like you often you don't want them to think of you as "weird" or "strange". You want them to see you like anyone else your age. You don't have to tell them all the specifics of your condition but at least cover the basics.
1. Let the person know about your allergies
As described above this can become a challenge however it is a very essential thing to do. You need to let them know about the foods in which you are allergic to so the person can try their best to avoid things. Let them know about things that may have your allergy in it. This may seem patronising as it's common sense to know that peanut butter contains peanuts but some things are not so obvious.
2. Tell the person to some degree what happens if you come into contact with something your allergic to
You don't have to tell them about your experiences of being in hospital with your allergies but letting them know how your condition affects you is a step in the right direction. Let them know that your allergy isn't simply a rash it is a severe condition. Tell them about the symptoms you get of your allergy. Being honest with them is a very vital thing to do. Don't down play the severity of things as this can make the person more inclined to ignore your warnings. Sometimes people think you're exaggerating when you say "my condition is life-threatening" however it is something that is imperative you do. Let them know the implications for you coming into contact with what you're allergic to. Maybe tell them that if you do have something that you can't have then you will need to go to hospital.
3. Tell them about your epi-pen
This can seem like a very daunting thing to explain to someone. I've had both good and bad experiences regarding showing someone my epi-pen. I had someone say to me "You've got to stick a needle in your leg!" whilst I've also had someone say "that's pretty cool". Explain to them that if you do have a reaction you will need to administer your epi-pen. Sometimes it's even a good idea to get a trainer epi-pen off your doctor (places like the anaphylaxis campaign also supply them) and show them how to use it so the process doesn't seem so daunting if it were to happen that you were to have to use it. Tell them what to do in the case of needing to use an epi-pen (calling 999 etc.).
4. Pre-plan your dates with them
Think about where you're going beforehand. This ensures that if you were going to an eating place you can check the allergen advice beforehand. Lots of eating places now publish their allergen advice online as well as having it available when you get there. Make sure to take into consideration that often eating places cannot completely guarantee the lack of cross contamination where your allergy is concerned. Suggest places which you know are safe for you to go to.
5. Carry all medication with you
It can sometimes be difficult to feel different from all your peers and those surrounding you however it's vital to make sure you take all your medication with you on a date. Hopefully nothing will happen whilst you're with the person but you need to be safe in case of a situation where you do need your medication.
6. Medical awareness jewellery
Something I've found very useful is my medic alert bracelet. You can get these of websites such as:
Medic alert: http://www.medicalert.org.uk/
Allermates: http://www.allermates.com/
These often come with very good wallet/purse cards which give information on what medical conditions you have and a number to call if anything were to happen. These can very useful for medical staff when assessing your condition and can help speak in an emergency situation when you cannot.
7. Have a clear emergency contact written in your phone
Nowadays people have the contact ICE written in their phone. This is the 'In case of emergency' contact, so the person you would want contacted if an emergency did occur. Have it clearly labelled on your phone who your emergency contact is so they can be contacted if need be. Some people have stickers on the back of their phone explaining who to call if anything were to happen and this can often be a good idea.
8. Don't kiss someone unless you know what they've been eating
If you have any doubts as to what someone has consumed do not risk kissing them. It is a common misconception that the person has to eat the allergen to have a reaction but in a lot of patients this is not the case as the protein, the thing that causes the allergen, can be transferred from mouth to mouth contact. When people get older and start going on night's out to clubs and pubs and such, often they will kiss someone whom they have never met before and know nothing about. This is best avoided if you suffer from a life-threatening allergy, or an allergy of any sort, as you have absolutely no idea what the person has come into contact with. It is not worth risking your health over!
Survival guide for living with Anaphylaxis
In my future blogs I will be focusing on specific topics and concerns that people have relating to living with anaphylaxis however for the time being, here is an overall guide for helping to live life with anaphylaxis.
I have been suffering with allergies since I was very young and was formally diagnosed when I was 4 years old. When I was 16 years old, 4 years ago, I was diagnosed with anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions) as well as more allergies.
When I was younger my mum noticed that I would continually come out in a really blotchy, itchy rash after eating anything containing red food colouring. After attending an allergist at the hospital and getting blood taken, although my blood results were fine for all major allergens I was diagnosed with an allergy to food colourings, in particular red food colourings. Growing up avoiding food colourings was not much of an issue for me as I quickly learned that if I ate anything with food colouring in it I would become extremely itchy. When I was 16 years old my mother gave me an ice-cream topped with hazelnuts to eat. Within 15 minutes of eating the ice-cream my skin began to become itchy, my face began to swell up, my throat felt like it was closing and my breathing became extremely difficult. After phoning NHS24 I was told I was suffering with the symptoms of anaphylaxis (Severe allergic reaction) and they would call me an ambulance. I luckily had an epi-pen in my house (an injection which contains the drug adrenaline which is one of the treatments for anaphylaxis). NHS24 gave me instructions on how to administer the epi-pen and after giving it within 15 minutes I began to feel better. However this is not always the case. Sometimes when someone suffers from anaphylaxis the adrenaline may not always work and therefore that is why sufferers of anaphylaxis are suggested to carry 2 epi-pens with them in order to give themselves a second shot of adrenaline should the first one not work or wear off. The paramedics and hospital staff can also give extra adrenaline if needed.
I take various medications to combat the symptoms of my allergies everyday. In the morning I take 2 anti-histamines tablets (desloratadine and fexofenadine) as well as a tablet which blocks the 2nd type of histamine (something which your body releases when you’re having an allergic reaction) called ranitidine. At night time I take 1 anti-histamine tablet (piriton) as well as a 2nd ranitidine tablet. I can take piriton up to 3 times a day so if I start to show any allergy symptoms throughout the day then I can take another tablet. I also have to carry about with me 2 epi-pens and a ventolin inhaler everywhere I go in case I suffer an anaphylactic reaction to something. The majority of the tablets I take do not have side effects but unfortunately piriton, epi-pens and ventolin inhalers do. Piriton can make you feel really drowsy and disorientated, something which I have found help me cope with the side effects is taking the tablet at night so I will sleep of the side effects. If you have to take it at school it is best to alert your teacher or school nurse that you are having to take it so they know that you may suffer these side effects. Epi-pens can make your heart rate speed up and can also make you feel really dizzy and agitated. The best way to get through these symptoms is to try and remain calm. An ambulance should always be phoned when someone takes an epi-pen as the person should at least be checked over by paramedics if not taken to hospital. Ventolin inhaler can make your heart rate speed up and can also cause you to have tremors (particularly in your hands). The best way to get through the symptoms is to remain calm and breathe as calmly as you possibly can.
Dealing with allergies and anaphylaxis on a daily basis can be really hard to start with but things get a lot easier with time. The main thing to be aware of is to check everything you eat. Particularly if you are suffering from a nut allergy, even things that you think may be safe may have cross contamination from it being made in the same factory as something else or using ingredients which contain nuts. The same goes for any allergens. On a lot of products it says if it contains any of the main 24 allergens however companies legally do not have to put this on their products so if you are ever in doubt do not consume it. You have to keep in mind that it is not just foods which may contain your allergens. Drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), cosmetic products, sun tan lotions etc. may all contain your allergen. Particularly where nuts are concerned a lot of cosmetic products can contain nut oil. It is a really good idea to research the name for the oil of nuts in order to avoid it in products.
The main symptoms of anaphylaxis are:
- Itching
- Hives
- Vomiting
- Stomach pains
- Swelling of the: face, hands, feet, genitals, tongue, throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
- Stridor (extremely noisy breathing that sounds like snoring)
- Wheezing (extremely high pitched breathing that typically occurs when breathing out)
- Dizziness
- Unconsciousness
- Fearing that something bad is going to happen
- Diarrhoea
This is not a complete list of all the symptoms but is a list of the main symptoms. Not everybody gets all of these symptoms. It is suggested that if 2 or more symptoms occur then an ambulance should be phoned and an epi-pen administered if available. It is also a good idea to call a family member or a friend to let them know what is happening so they are aware. Anaphylaxis can be a really scary thing to go through, particularly when you are alone, but the main thing is to try and stay calm and remember that when you phone the ambulance the paramedics are on their way and they are extremely good at dealing with this.
It is often very difficult to get those around you to understand that anaphylaxis is a very serious medical condition and that even being in the same room as your allergen can cause you to react. The best way to deal with this is let the person you are trying to explain it to know how it makes you feel. Explain to them what happens if you are exposed to your allergen and that it is a very life-threatening condition. There is a lot of information available online to help other people understand your anaphylaxis. You should let those closest to you know how to deal with an anaphylactic reaction if they should ever need to. You should ask your doctor for a trainer adrenaline pen in order to give family members, friends etc. an idea on how to use them and make them less nervous should they ever need to use one on you. Don’t let your allergies take over your life. There are a lot of things which you will be able to eat instead of the things you are allergic to. For example if you have a nut allergy and really like chocolate, keep in mind that not every chocolate carries a risk so there are still a lot of things you can eat. Allergies do not define you, they are something which unfortunately you have to learn to live with but they are not who you are as a person.
It is really important that you tell your area of either education or work about your allergies. Most schools have an allergy action plan and the appropriate people have been trained on how to deal with anaphylaxis. It would be a good idea to give your school some spare medication in case you were to ever forget yours or need yours in an emergency. When in college or University it is very different to school as there are a lot more people and you are not as close to your teachers. It is a good idea to alert the person responsible for your University/College’s first aid that you suffer from allergies and/or anaphylaxis to the things you have reactions to and instruct them on what to do should you suffer a reaction to something. When in a work environment it can be really difficult to get others to not bring in the allergen in which you are allergic to. Alert your manager to the fact you suffer with allergies and/or anaphylaxis and let them know what to do should you ever suffer a reaction to something. Be careful when others are eating around you and if something makes you feel uncomfortable be honest with the person about your allergies and let them know what they should not eat around you.
There are a few charities which I have found really have helped me when dealing with coming to terms with my allergies and anaphylaxis. The Anaphylaxis Campaign is the only UK based charity which supports those affected by severe food allergies and their loved ones. They provide information about living with anaphylaxis as well as product information regarding allergens. They also have a helpline in which you can phone to ask for any advice you may need regarding anaphylaxis. They have a facebook page where you can keep up to date with their latest news and ask questions on. Allergylifestyle is another website which has really helped me come to terms with things. They provide information on allergies as well as a store in which you can buy carrier cases for your medication which can really help make it a less daunting thing to have to carry about. For younger children they provide allergy stickers for lunch boxes during school to state they have a food allergy. The final charity which has been a great help to me has been Medic Alert. Medic Alert is a UK charity which provides medical jewellery to buy which you can engrave with whatever you feel necessary. With your order you also get a wallet card which has your health information (such as your name, next of kin, medical information) written on it to be used in an emergency. Medic Alert also have a 24 hour contact number where if you are found in an emergency medical professionals can phone them and gain access to your emergency medical information so they can give you the proper treatment.
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