Gaining Independence with Food Allergies

"I’m 15 years old and I’ve been severely allergic to nearly all tree nuts since I was 2 years old. Throughout my childhood, my mum has been there for me during every allergic reaction I’ve had, but last winter, in the run-up to Christmas, I had to go it alone for the first time without my mum.

I was at a friend’s house and accepted a homemade cupcake that I was told was definitely safe for me to eat. After taking the first bite, I could tell something was very wrong - my throat suddenly felt itchy and tight and it was getting worse. I told my friend what was happening and got my EpiPen kit out of my bag. Luckily, my antihistamine worked quickly so I didn’t have to inject myself with my EpiPen, which I would have done if my symptoms had gotten worse - thank goodness I didn’t have to! Even though I felt terrified at the time, I kept calm, and in this instance, the antihistamine was enough.

But I didn’t say anything to anyone, and I didn’t tell my mum until just recently; I kept silent.

I kept silent because I didn’t want my world to get any smaller because of my food allergies than it already was. I love my friends, but I also love and need my independence. I treasure it more than my friends do theirs because I have to fight for it every day. Gaining independence is a teenage ‘rite of passage’ but when you have food allergies it’s a much harder journey and I don’t want to feel restricted or have my food allergies become my identity. I want to be safe, but I also want to live my life to the full, and this is the burden I and many teenagers with allergies carry.

I tell myself there are many ways to make myself feel more confident when facing challenges to be safe. For example, to practice beforehand what to say before entering a restaurant, or saying out loud, ‘I have a food allergy.’ It’s something I don’t like saying but the more I say it, the easier it gets.

Being a teenager is tough enough so remembering that I’m not alone on this journey, also really helps.”

Issy, aged 15