The Touch Test

The other night I went out to dinner with my Nana. We went to an Italian restaurant I had been to before, but not in at least a year. I gave the server my card and she came back and said I should be all set. They only used pure olive oil, and no nuts. She said the fish was cooked separately from the meat. I was all set!

When the food came to the table, I put a small taste on my fork. I then touched the sauce from my chicken up to my lip and let a little sit there for a minute. I can tell right away if I am having a reaction, so when I felt nothing, I tested a small bite. It tasted great, and no allergic reaction!

Ever since I was little, I have always done the touch test. Everyone has their own method, but this is mine. Basically it consists of touching the food lightly to my skin to see if I get a reaction. Of course, I only try this after asking about all the ingredients, and being told by the server or restaurant manager that the food I ordered is fine. My dad taught me this. If I don't get any tingling or a hive, it is on to step two: the taste test. When I taste test a food, I have a very small taste of the food. Then I wait a few minutes to make sure I don't get a reaction. I usually take these pre-cautious steps when I am trying something new, or something that I haven't had in a while. It is a safer way, instead of going right in and taking a big bite out of a dish.

The first time I am out with someone and they see me do this, I often get asked, "Is your food okay?" Then I have to explain what I am doing. I don't mind this explanation though. It makes sense, and could save me from ingesting a large amount of something I could have a reaction to!

My Allergies

Since I was a baby, I've had food allergies.  I also have asthma and environmental allergies.  My anaphylactic allergies include peanuts, tree nuts, fish and potatoes, and less severe allergies to banana, kiwi, legumes, some raw fruits and vegetables. What I find most important with having anaphylactic allergies is trusting yourself, and finding ways to keep yourself safe.  As a child, parents and family members are a fabulous help in keeping you safe!  They will teach you how to read ingredients, what is safe to eat, and what you should avoid.  As I've grown older, I have used these tools my parents gave me, to go to school, camp, travel, and live independently.  

No matter what, not everyone is going to understand, and although I do hope that more people will begin to understand the seriousness of food allergies, I know that there is still many people who don't.  This is why it is important to learn how to be responsible for your own allergies.  

The number one and MOST important thing to remember is to ALWAYS carry your epi-pen...ALWAYS! That is what will keep you safe, and that is by far what I have found to be the most important way of keeping myself safe!  I also wear a Medic Alert bracelet. These two items are the most important possessions I own, because they are what could save my life in the case of a reaction.

Over time, I have learned how to read my gut feelings, and know when to trust what I am eating, and when not to.  This feeling comes over time.  I have lived in other countries, traveled to many more, and never have once let my allergies control where or what I want to do. I have learned to empower myself!

An Allergic Reactor Just Like You!

Hello and welcome to my blog for children with food allergies! Growing up being one of those children, I can understand what it's like every day! When I was growing up, I didn't know anyone else with food allergies. I didn't get to hear about other children going through the same experiences.  I can only imagine how I would have felt knowing others with the same allergies! This blog is to share my stories and suggestions for children to read.  I hope these stories will help and inspire other children growing up as allergic reactors!