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 with just two doses could also potentially produce elevated numbers of anaphylactic reactions in some patients, I was devastated. This potentially life changing scientific development was initially chalked up as yet another thing I would miss out on because of my allergies. Add it to the list of 2020 disappointments! However, with the help of doctors, scientists, researchers, and experts around the world, this initial defeat turned into no more than a minor setback.

In response to this news, the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) organization got to work. FARE has taken the information provided by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to create and continuously update COVID-19 vaccination guidelines for the food allergy community. I used these exact guidelines to help make my own personal decision about whether or not to vaccinate. You can view those guidelines here.

Some highlights from their guidelines include that neither vaccine contains egg or other food allergens, nor is either vaccine exposed to latex. Most notable for my situation, FARE stated “If you have had a severe allergic reaction to allergens unrelated to vaccines or injectable drugs, such as food, pet dander, venom, environmental allergens and latex, you can receive a COVID-19 vaccine.” Also important to note, FARE stated “If you have had a severe allergic reaction to another vaccine or injectable therapy, you should consult with your doctor, who can help you determine whether you should receive a COVID-19 vaccine.” In my experience, I have never had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine or other injectable therapy, but this guideline is very important if you personally have.

Of course, I respect everyone’s right and responsibility to make their own health related decisions for themselves and their family, however, this information was enough for me to feel comfortable and confident with receiving the vaccine.

Vaccination Day

Loyola Medicine scheduled my appointment at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital for Saturday afternoon at 1:10pm. Before my appointment, I completed extensive paperwork online, which asked about my health history, medications, and thankfully, allergies. Upon arrival, I completed more standard liability paperwork which again asked about any history of allergies. After verifying my eligibility for the vaccine and providing my insurance card, I was ready to go.

Within minutes, I was escorted to the vaccination station where I notified the nurses about my allergies. (Self advocacy for the win!) They reassured me about their protocols and procedures, and reminded me that I was in the safest possible place to receive a vaccine.

As someone who has been receiving the annual flu vaccination for many years, I found the COVID-19 vaccine to be surprisingly painless. Besides, after everything we have gone through in 2020… One little prick is nothing!

For precautionary reasons, those with allergies (food or otherwise), were asked to wait inside the hospital for thirty minutes post vaccination, opposed to the standard fifteen minutes for other patients. Thankfully, in my case, I experienced absolutely no immediate symptoms post vaccination, and was cleared to continue on with my day with only mild arm soreness.

Before leaving, I was able to schedule my appointment for the second dose of the vaccine. In just over three weeks, I will be returning to Gottlieb Memorial Hospital to repeat the process again! I could not have been more impressed with the organization and punctuality of the knowledgable staff at Loyola Medicine. Thank you for the excellent experience!

Post Vaccination

In the day(s) following my first vaccination, I experienced very few symptoms or side effects. Waking up Sunday morning, I felt in perfect health, other than my arm soreness had worsened. Nothing unmanageable, but certainly more stiff than a standard flu vaccine. Two days post vaccination, I continued to feel mild arm soreness. However, by Tuesday, the stiffness was completely gone.

UPDATE: I received my second COVID-19 vaccination approximately three weeks later, on Tuesday February 16th. Immediately following my second dose, I experienced no symptoms or side effects. However, as to be expected (given the second shot seems to be giving others more trouble), I woke up Wednesday morning with a sizable headache and arm soreness. Although I never spiked a fever, I did experience some mild body aches and general fatigue. Despite the discomfort, these brief hours of pain are worth the peace of mind moving forward with antibodies!

In Conclusion

As someone who gets anxious about doctors appointments and needles, I was undoubtedly nervous walking into the vaccination clinic. However, thanks to the help of the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, the Food Allergy Research & Education organization, the Pfizer Incorporation, and Loyola Medicine, I received the information and treatment necessary to make me feel safe and secure getting the vaccination. More than anything, I am extremely grateful, relieved, and proud to have been selected to receive the vaccine so early, after a year of trials and tribulations regarding the Coronavirus pandemic.

While everyone’s health, allergies, reactions, and situations are completely different, I hope my positive experience can help others in the food allergy community feel more hopeful about the COVID-19 vaccine. Please feel free to reach out to me at any time with any additional questions about my vaccine experience.

If anyone needs me, I’ll be over here making antibodies!

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post is for educational purposes only, and should not be substituted for medical advice. Please consult with your doctor or another medical professional for any health related questions or concerns.

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 bizarre location or non-food related product is downright puzzling and concerning. Is someone playing a never-ending trick on me? The world may never know. Here’s where I’ve found allergens that you need to look out for…

Inside My Car

According to an article from Consumer Reports, Walnut Blasting is a common direct engine-cleaning technique where “The intake manifold and valves of a car’s engine [are cleaned] with a high pressure air blast of finely crushed walnut shells.” Eeek! The use of a biodegradable abrasive like walnut shells “is meant to help clear out carbon buildup on older gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines, thus helping the car run better.”

Chris Perkins, a web editor for Road & Truck Magazine, warned others about the dangers of walnut blasting after his shocking allergic reaction earlier this year. In his article, Beware Direct-Injection Engine Cleaning if You Have Nut Allergies, Chris described his shortness of breath, lip numbness, and asthma attack-like symptoms after dropping off his vehicle at the dealership for some routine maintenance. The culprit? – Airborne walnut particles. Check out this article from Snack Safely for more details on the risks of walnut blasting.

Hidden in Our Pest Control

Take a closer look at this Raid Ant Bait… These common household traps hides a Caution: Contains peanuts or peanut by-products statement in the bottom corner. According to an article from Allergic Living, practicing allergist Dr. Scott Sicherer state, “that level of avoidance would usually be unnecessary.” . But personally, I prefer to stick to a strict no peanut policy in my home – No matter where it’s sitting.

At Happy Hour

Its second nature to be checking our food for potential allergens, but are you being just as weary of your drinks too?

Alcoholic beverages are not safe from allergens. Amaretto, a sweet liqueur often flavored with almonds, is common in mixed drinks and spiked coffees. Walnut bitters add a woody flavor to a classic Old Fashion. Egg whites can be a key ingredient in whiskey sour mixes. Screwball is a peanut butter whiskey. Aquafaba, the leftover liquid from cooked chickpeas, is sometimes substituted to create a vegan whipped garnish. With the shared used of shakers and strainers behind the bar, there is quite the risk of cross contamination from fruit juices and garnishes.

Don’t let your guard down when ordering a cocktail… Always always always inform you bartender of your allergy!

Under The Couch in My Hotel Room

Picture this. You spent months planning the perfect bachelorette weekend for your cousin. You had a long day of traveling and just can’t wait to lay down in the comfort of your own hotel room and… BOOM. There is a literal assortment of mixed nuts peaking out from under the couch. I need to know the odds… Out of ALL the rooms in this ten-story hotel building, and this is the room I get placed in?!

At My Beauty Appointments

I have religiously gotten my eyebrows waxed at the Benefit Bar at Ulta Beauty. But at my first appointment, I carelessly checked ‘no’ to all the legal questions concerning certain topical medications, until a disclaimer about nut allergies caught my eye. Much to my surprise, the cosmetic bar’s pre-and-post waxing serum contained almonds. It had never even crossed my mind to ask, so I was beyond thankful that they called attention to the problem themselves…. Because I certainly did not need that covering my entire face!

But you know the only time that I will ask for almonds? When I’m choosing my nail shape at the salon, of course! But no so much when its in the hand lotion… or in the bath bomb used in the pedicure bowl…. I’m someone who always wants a fresh manicure, but moving city to city, I’ve walked out of a new studio with hives more than once. Always inquire about the ingredients in all of the products being used throughout your service.

Hiding In My Beauty Products

I used a certain shampoo and conditioner set for months and was quite literally scratching my head wondering why my scalp and body were so itchy. The answer? Macadamia nuts.

Because so many self tanning products include almonds or macadamia nuts, many inquiring minds have asked which brands I pull out each summer. When I’m looking for that bronze glow, I stick with the Ulta Brand Gradual Tan Lotion. The ingredients are easily accessible on their website, and much easier to read online than on the small product bottles.

This goes for spray tans too! I did not realize this was a potential problem until I coincidentally booked an appointment at a studio that advertised as being nut free. Be extra careful – The last thing you need is for a nut-based product to be stuck on your skin for a week.

In My Dog’s Treats

It turns out that even precious and innocent puppies like peanut butter just as much as some people do (sigh). And while some PB flavored treats are clearly labeled on the front of the packaging, others are not. Wanting to pick out a special holiday treat for my puppies (Poppet and Coconut) last Christmas, I innocently place the cutest candy cane biscuits into the cart alongside all of my other Target “essentials.” Something in my gut made me double check the back of the packaging, only to find peanut butter as one of the main ingredients. Ugh!

As a certified Rover dog walker always meeting new fluffy friends around Chicago, this is something I am always on the look out for. I love some good puppy kisses just as much as the next person, but just like its important to ask your significant other what they’ve recently eaten, make sure you know what the dog ate that day too! Their treats can just as easily cause a reaction.

Tossed Through My Dorm Hallway

This has to be one of the worst ones – without a doubt. I woke up early on a Saturday morning for a sorority recruitment event to find a trail of peanut butter splattered along my hallway corridor. Covering the floors, walls, and doors alike, I’ll never forget the sheer panic that came over me when I found the unmistakable red JIF lid laying in the middle of the mess.

A short-lived drunken game for a couple of college kids left me permanently traumatized in its aftermath. Too terrified to return to my building even after the floors were professional cleaned (we can thank my father for calling that one in), I resided at my family’s home off campus and commuted to class for over a week. It took a lot of courage (and tears) to get myself back on that floor to finish out the rest of the semester.

Avoiding your allergen is clearly not as easy as simply not eating it. You never know when you’ll wake up to it literally knocking on your front door.

Nuts in Macaroni and Cheese?!

On a weekend getaway to Nashville with my boyfriend, we stopped at The Mockingbird restaurant right outside of The Gulch. While I was shocked to find out I could safely order the ooey-gooey cinnamon roll for breakfast, I was even more shocked to find out what I couldn’t order – the macaroni and cheese. A true staple of my diet, and usually a safe go-to, actually contained tree nuts. It was not even labeled in the description on the menu, which just goes to show that you should #alwaysdoublecheck with your server.

In My Literal Backyard

Honestly, I have trouble believing this one myself. But one hundred percent true story, I had a stare down with this squirrel through my living room window as he shelled a peanut while sitting in a tree in my own backyard. It was like somehow he knew, and was purposely taunting me. And to think that some people assume that avoiding your allergies is as easy as not ordering them at dinner! I can’t help but laugh with this one… Truly unbelievable.

Unfortunately, I think I will be forever updating this article because an allergen’s ability to pop into my life never ceases to amaze me. Whether I’m jumping over a cluster of peanut shells while crossing the street or having to pull a half eaten pistachio out of my dog’s mouth on a walk around the city, they always seem to find me…. Starting to think I REALLY need to investigate this whole ‘people playing tricks on me’ thing…

What’s the weirdest place you’ve encountered your 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 population of the food allergy community – A cohort I felt was very underrepresented. New research efforts and interventions are mostly catered towards children, and food allergy parents have built a strong networking support system online. Yet teenagers and young people, like myself, enter the adult with an invincibility complex and without an instruction manual, leaving us at high risk of reactions alongside our new found freedom.

These are vulnerable years for the food allergy community. We are eating at restaurants without our parents, heading off to college, moving into our first apartments, buying our own groceries, cooking our own dinners, and making food related decisions under the influence of alcohol. Plus – We are dating! As all of these drastic changes unfold, the only people we can count on to advocate for us is ourselves.

As a young adult dating with food allergies, but I quickly discovered that someone without food allergies never has to give a second thought to…

• Letting their date pick/surprise them with a restaurant reservation
• Sharing drinks
• Kissing + other physical contact without asking what their date has eaten that day
• Visiting a partner’s home without knowing if their allergen was recently consumed there
• Letting their date cook dinner for them

Any of these situations can put a food allergy sufferer in a dangerous position. We are all too familiar with how seemingly clueless people without dietary restrictions are about those who do. And the tricky part about dating – there is more physical contact with your significant other than you would ever normally allow with anybody else.

And we are not just talking about kissing – In an article published by Jenifer Goodwin for Allergic Living, a teen in Canada died of a severe allergic reaction during oral sex. The consenting partner had consumed peanuts before preforming an intimate sexual act on the allergic teen. According to Goodwin, “The teens never kissed. Dr. Samira Jeimy and her colleagues conclude in their report that the most likely route of allergen exposure was through the mucus membrane on the tip of the penis.” This conversation may be uncomfortable, but it could be the difference between life and death.

In fact, in that same article from Allergic Living, a survey found that between 5-12% of patients with food allergies have reported having “kissing-related” allergic reactions. To prevent such cross-contamination, Dr. Scott Sicherer, the director of the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute in New York, found that eating an allergen-free meal + waiting four or more hours can reduce allergens in the saliva to undetectable levels. Teeth brushing, mouth rinsing, and chewing gum have also been found to reduce allergen levels in the saliva, to a lesser extent.

I have been dating my boyfriend long-distance for a number of years, so stopping his intake of my allergens before seeing each other is much easier to schedule. Thankfully, I have found someone so accommodating that he has mostly eliminated my allergens from his diet all together. From time to time he enjoys a warm pecan pie or fresh salmon dinner when I’m not around (much to my joking protest), but he has never once made me feel like an inconvenience. Before visiting him for the weekend, he even makes an effort to sanitize his entire apartment for me – I’m talking doorknobs and all. Of course this is the same boy who recently introduced me to cooking, so not only are my dietary restrictions not an issue, but they have become a shared activity to work around. He is not afraid to send a meal back when I am too shy to bother the waiter, stand up and walk us out of a restaurant that isn’t safe, or remind me how much better I deserve from a friend that is not willing to put in that same effort. Even though I am perfectly capable of doing these things on my own, its wonderful to know that I’ve got somebody else in my corner.

But not everyone shares this positive experience. I’ve heard horror stories of first dates going horribly wrong and of boyfriends giving their girlfriend an allergic reaction because they failed to clean up after themselves. With all of these potential threats out there in the dating world, we have to protect ourselves.

Having a candid discussion about your allergies and fostering a relationship that values communication is key to keeping yourself safe. Stand up for yourself early, and set the standard for how your allergies should be handled. Start by simply saying “Hey, do you mind not ordering anything with ____. I’m super allergic and ending the night in the emergency room wouldn’t make for a great first date.” Not only will you be able to enjoy yourself more, but you’ll get a good sense of how caring and compassionate this person would be in a relationship. Besides, why would you want to be with someone who is not going to value your safety and comfortability? If he’s not going to protect you, he’s not the one!

For teens, be confident. Ask you significant other what they ate before you kiss them. Never let them get away with saying they don’t remember. Don’t feel pressured to go to dinner at a restaurant that makes you uncomfortable. And always advocate for yourself when someone isn’t putting your safety first. Like boy, bye.

For young adults, be smart. Make sure you’re not sharing drinks with someone at the bar, because I hear people love to pregame their nights out with a PB&J. Remember that it is not selfish to prioritize yourself. Don’t trust a kitchen shared by a bunch of roommates. And lastly, never settle for skipping dessert! Even a store-bought pint of ice cream will do the trick, and it never fails to show he cares.

For parents, be prepared. As scary as it sounds, one day your kid is going to grow up and be interested in dating! Don’t ignore this part of the allergy conversation. It is just as important as learning to administer epinephrine or reading ingredient labels. Raise your food allergy sufferer to be independent and capable of keeping themselves safe in the dating world.

Too often this topic is glossed over. When discussing food allergies, the conversation never misses touching on restaurant recommendations or new treatment protocols. But managing food allergies in an intimate relationship is a real concern. Hey, maybe you’ll be lucky enough to find someone out there with the same allergies as you. But if not, I’m here to answer any of your questions.

It’s better to be safe than sorry – and these two allergy-friendly movements are serving as simple reminders that empower people to speak up in order to avoid deadly consequences.

In August of 2019, the state of Illinois Senator, Dave Koehler, signed House Bill 3018 into law, making it safer for food allergy sufferers to dine-in at restaurants. The new legislation requires all restaurants in the state to have clear and visible signage that serves to remind patrons to notify their waiter/waitress about any allergies they have. The waiter is then responsible for notifying their supervisor and initiating their kitchen’s respective food allergy protocols.

Dave Koehler recognized the immediate need for this legislation after he experienced a life-threatening anaphylactic allergic reaction himself – one so severe that he was rushed to the hospital.

House Bill 3018 is a big step in the right direction for raising allergy awareness. Not only are restaurant employees better equipped to handle orders with allergy distinctions, but the required signage also serves as a clear reminder for all food allergy sufferers to always inform restaurant staff about their dietary restrictions.

You can see Koehler’s statement here https://youtu.be/FgCw2SvMqOo or check out the bill status at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=3018&GAID=15&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=119361&SessionID=108&GA=101.

Not only is legislation being passed to remind allergy sufferers to always double check their food, the Chicago based company, Allerbands, is also encouraging people to speak up with their slogan and hashtag #alwaysdoublecheck.

With their brightly colored and fun alert bracelets, Allerbands is on a mission to encourage food allergy sufferers to be vigilant about keeping themselves safe. Allerbands founder, Pat McNamara, who has been sent to the emergency room several times himself, hopes this product serves as an extra layer of protection for food allergy sufferers, and a friendly reminder for them to always be double checking their food.

Especially for younger kids who might not fully understand the severity of their allergy diagnosis yet, wearing an Allerband at school, birthday party or anywhere else away from mom and dad can help remind them to always be asking if something is safe to eat.

Allerbands currently makes peanut and fish allergy alert bracelets, and has tree nut, wheat, soybean, egg and milk bracelets coming soon. And for every allerband that is sold, the company donates $1 to organizations raising awareness and doing research on food allergies.

Check out Allerbands at their website https://allerbands.com or on their instagram page https://instagram.com/allerbands?igshid=1mtixwg06sx4v and get yours today!

It can be easy to forget, but the simple mistake can severely cost you. As innocent or unsuspecting as a food item might be, it is crucial to always double check. I have two personal stories where doubling checking probably helped save my life…

• A simple plate of pasta usually seems like a safe choice, so when ordering fettuccine alfredo at Carsonie’s Stromboli & Pizza Kitchen in Columbus, Ohio with a friend, I was not going to alert my waiter. However, in a split second after thought, I decided to ask him to inform the kitchen about my nut and shellfish allergies. Much to my surprise, I was notified that Carsonie’s alfredo sauce did in fact contain tree nuts. Doubling checking my seemingly innocent order saved me a trip to the hospital that night – and possibly even my life.

• After growing sick of getting take-out from the same few places in college, I decided to try a burrito bowl from Moe’s Southwest Grill in Columbus, Ohio. After picking up my order and driving home (to an apartment where I lived alone) I had a bad gut feeling about taking the first bite of my meal. I decided to double check on Moe’s website and searched through the nutrition information for their allergy statements. While sitting at my kitchen table with my food unwrapped and ready to eat, I discovered that Moe’s Adobo chicken contained peanuts. If I would not have double checked my order online that night, I would have been home alone when I suffered an anaphylactic allergic reaction. ***(When checking back on Moe’s Southwest Grill’s website again while researching for this post, their chicken is no longer listed as containing nuts, but I am not willing to risk it.)

Because of these terrifying close calls, I have vowed to always double check when eating at a new restaurant – no matter how unsuspecting my meal is. Despite weird glances when asking if a plain cheese pizza is safe for me to eat, I always think back to these two instances and remember how important it is to speak up.

If I would have had the simple reminder required by HB 3018 visible on the restaurant menu, or glanced down at an Allerband on my wrist while ordering, I never would have been as close as I was to making a fatal mistake.

That little voice in the back of your head or the weird gut feeling in the pit of your stomach is always right – and you need to listen to it. Whether you are trying a new restaurant, having a meal at a friend’s house, or picking up a treat from the store, make sure you are in the habit of always double checking! It can save your life.