Author Archives: allthingsallergies

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”

And Then There Was One

And in August of 2021, after twenty four years of embodying the identity of “the allergy kid,” my laundry list of food allergies narrowed itself down to just… one. Rewind In preschool, my parents taught my teachers how to properly administer an auto injector in case of emergency. In elementary school, I sat alone atContinue reading “And Then There Was One”

Invisible Consequences of Anaphylaxis: My Personal Struggle with Mental Health and Food Allergies

The Reaction During the summer of 2014, as a 17-year-old incoming senior in high school, I took a walk with friends to a local ice cream shop that would unknowingly change the course of my life forever. Half of a brownie flurry later, I was reaching for a bottle of Benadryl in our medicine cabinetContinue reading “Invisible Consequences of Anaphylaxis: My Personal Struggle with Mental Health and Food Allergies”

My COVID-19 Vaccination Experience

As a training mental health clinician in Illinois, I recently qualified for the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Despite a history of severe anaphylactic reactions, I safely received my vaccination on Saturday January 23rd through Loyola Medicine. Pre Vaccination Upon hearing the news that the revolutionary COVID-19 vaccine capable of producing 95% immunity withContinue reading “My COVID-19 Vaccination Experience”

Allergy Friendly Restaurant Guide: Columbus

Home of The Ohio State Buckeyes, and my home for almost four years. The capital of Ohio, and the fourteenth largest city in the United States. Likely not your first vacation destination, but I’m looking to change that. I’ve had a whole bachelor’s degree worth of time to hunt down the city’s safest and mostContinue reading “Allergy Friendly Restaurant Guide: Columbus”

Allergy-Friendly Guide to Chicago

Disclaimer: This collection of restaurants were thoughtfully included based on community reviews, available nutritional menus, and my personal experiences. The contents of this post should not be substituted for medical or professional advice. Please do your own research before dining at any of the following locations. Fast Casual Bibibop Dedicated Free From Gluten + NutsContinue reading “Allergy-Friendly Guide to Chicago”

Believe it or not: The Strangest Places I’ve Encountered an Allergen

How many times have you heard “Oh, you’re allergic to peanuts? Just don’t eat them.” You would think that avoiding a food allergen would be as simple as just not eating it… But we all know.. It’s NEVER that easy! The amount of times I have come across one of my allergens in a bizarreContinue reading “Believe it or not: The Strangest Places I’ve Encountered an Allergen”

Dating with Food Allergies

Who remembers the mid 2000s Nickelodeon sitcom Unfabulous starring Emma Roberts? And she bakes peanut butter cookies before going on a first date and gives the boy a severe allergic reaction after they kiss? Well I do – And I have been scarred forever! All Things Allergies was founded to serve the young adult populationContinue reading “Dating with Food Allergies”