It is safe to say that the Anxiety, or Anaphylaxis? debate lives rent free in my head. Not only does it stay on the lips of All Things Allergies, but the psychological and physiological similarities between the fight-or-flight response and food-induced anaphylactic shock is also the subject of my doctoral dissertation proposal. Inspired by myContinue reading “Beyond Food: The Anxiety or Anaphylaxis Phenomenon Further Validated by Vaccine Research”
Author Archives: allthingsallergies
The ABCs of IgEs
Defining Immunoglobulin E, Debunking Antibody Myths, and Delving Into My Updated Bloodwork “Another primary reason for misdiagnosis is a lack of understanding of what the results of serum IgE testing truly mean. In the absence of clinical IgE-mediated symptoms with ingestion of the food, a positive serum IgE test to that food merely means aContinue reading “The ABCs of IgEs”
Post-Anaphylaxis Plan
Action in the Aftermath of an Allergic Reaction So you beautifully executed your anaphylaxis action plan, your vitals are stable, and you’re ready to be discharged from the ER – But now what? Walking out of the hospital in a continued daze of brain fog, I wished my emergency action plan hadn’t ended at theContinue reading “Post-Anaphylaxis Plan”
Epi First + Epi Fast: Lessons Learned from my Third Anaphylactic Reaction
It’s ironic that I have had to spend so much time convincing myself that I’m not having an allergic reaction, that this time I actually needed convincing that I was… The scratchy throat that cried wolf! All Things Allergies Thanks to a PTSD diagnosis following a series of life-threatening anaphylactic reactions, I have spent countlessContinue reading “Epi First + Epi Fast: Lessons Learned from my Third Anaphylactic Reaction”
Food Allergy Linked to Disordered Eating & Body Image
Happy Food Allergy Awareness Month! Did you know May is also Mental Health Awareness Month? That is no coincidence in my book. In celebration of this annual intersection, All Things Allergies is extending beyond our usual trauma-related content into another chapter of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Feeding and Eating Disorders.Continue reading “Food Allergy Linked to Disordered Eating & Body Image”
Southwest Airlines Discontinues Their Pre-Boarding Policy for Food Allergies in September – Backpedals in November
In direct violation of the Air Carrier Access Act, as of September 2022, Southwest Airlines no longer offers pre-boarding for peanut allergies. When Southwest Airlines made the decision to stop in-flight service of peanut products, my family became loyal customers – Religiously recommending the caring and accommodating staff at Southwest to anyone and everyone. NowContinue reading “Southwest Airlines Discontinues Their Pre-Boarding Policy for Food Allergies in September – Backpedals in November”
Anxiety, Or Anaphylaxis?
Exploring the physiological + psychological similarities between anaphylaxis + panic attacks, and how the perceived gap in professional literature may perpetuate somatic trauma responses in the food allergy community. “We have learned that trauma is not just an event that took place sometime in the past; it is also the imprint left by that experienceContinue reading “Anxiety, Or Anaphylaxis?”
It All Started With A Mouse: Wishing Upon A Star at Walt Disney World
“In bad times and in good, I’ve never lost my zest for life.” – Walt Disney Do you believe in magic? After a Disney trip full of three course allergy friendly meals, specially prepared + delivered dishes, and safe desserts after safe desserts… We certainly do! Orlando’s Walt Disney World earned itself a household ofContinue reading “It All Started With A Mouse: Wishing Upon A Star at Walt Disney World”
New Heights: Flying Safely with Peanut Allergies
Much to my dismay, peanuts have become just as synonymous with flying on commercial airlines as they are with American baseball games – And its a travel nightmare. According to a recent publication for the Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research (CFAAR), 98% of respondents reported some level of anxiety about airline travel dueContinue reading “New Heights: Flying Safely with Peanut Allergies”
Exposure Therapy: Conquering Food Challenges After Years of Food Anxiety
After receiving my negative skin + blood tests from Chicago Family Allergy and Asthma, I was given the “all clear” to food challenge tree nuts, seafood, and legumes at home for the very first time. Given my undetectable IgE levels, Dr. Katie Tanner felt confident in conducting my taste tests outside of their Lincoln ParkContinue reading “Exposure Therapy: Conquering Food Challenges After Years of Food Anxiety”
All Things Allergies 