Welcome to AllergyHopes

Fifteen years ago, my family was enjoying a Christmas dinner that brings everyone together. The evening was winding down when my five-year old son threw up all over the kitchen floor. No big deal, we thought. He ate too much (no surprise there), with a few too many sweets thrown in at the end. We cleaned him up, along with the floor, and bundled the group into the car for the ride home.

Before even getting out to the main road, my son sneezed. A couple of seconds later, he sneezed again. And again. And again. Then came four simple words that no parent ever wants to hear. "Mom, I can't breath."

Now it was a race to the hospital, with me pushing the minivan as fast as it would go. We had no idea what was going on, but he needed a doctor, and fast.

We made it to the Emergency Room where the doctors recognized what was going on - anaphylaxis - and immediately administered a shot of epinephrine. That took care of the worst of the reaction and he was back to normal in no time. However, this was a brand new experience for us and we were terrified.

Following up with an allergist, we found out that our son is generally sensitive to tree nuts. That led us to the source of the reaction: cake made with hazelnut paste. And thus began our journey through the world of food allergies.

Naturally, we asked about available treatment options. The only answer: don't feed him nuts. Also, keep an EpiPen on hand in case he eats something with nuts by accident. Something about this never sat well with me. You're telling me that this is the best that modern medicine has to offer?

If you are reading this right now, there is a good chance that you could tell a similar story. Food allergies are on the rise around the world. It's hard to specify exactly how many people are affected by these conditions since so much of the available data is based on self-reporting, which is notoriously unreliable. However, an estimated 11% of the adult population and 8% of children are allergic to at least one food. There is a good chance that the actual numbers are higher. Even so, ask yourself this: When was the last time you watched a news report about a breakthrough in the diagnosis or treatment of food allergies? There is just not a whole lot out there.

Who Is AllergyHopes For?

I created AllergyHopes as a resource for parents in this same boat, with a child who has no choice but to navigate the world with a condition that can turn deadly serious in the blink of an eye. At the same time, adults who either recently received a diagnosis of a food allergy or who have managed their condition since they were young can also find value here. The intention is to help you better understand what they, or you, are going through, offering support needed for the journey.

What You Can Expect from Us

Through AllergyHopes, you will find materials and content falling into three main categories.

First, there will be practical advice that guides someone with food allergies on their journey through a world that becomes dangerous without sufficient care. The objective: Live better with less fear.

Second, we will explore the complex world of the immune system and how it leads to allergic responses. By shedding light on the body's processes, we can eliminate some of the natural fear that allergies invoke with knowledge, leading ourselves back to safety.

Finally, we will examine the latest biomedical research in the field around the diagnosis and treatment of food allergies. Great strides are being made in this area, even if they don't get the same kind of attention as other conditions. Progress takes time. it can be years from the initial publication of a promising research study and the availability of an approved treatment to ensure that these treatments are both safe and effective. Hopefully, I can give you a peek behind the curtain into what is going on.

Why We Are Doing This

You may be wondering why we have chosen to take on this project. It grows out of our frustration around treatment options available for those living with food allergies. Visits with the allergist only happen on rare occasions yet managing the condition is an every day challenge. Details about the conditions and the breadth of options are not always available. We believe that we can do better, and education is a vital starting point. In the end, we long for the day when our children, and their children, do not have to worry that eating the wrong thing will send them to the hospital. And I hope the same thing for you, as well.

Call to Action

So what can you do? Visit our website - www.allergyhopes.com - and join the mailing list to keep up with what we have to offer. We would also love to hear your suggestions. What are the biggest questions that you want answers to? I have my list, but your personal experiences come with unique perspectives. Share your thoughts and maybe you will see your ideas in a future article.

Let's work together to provide new hope for those managing food allergies - AllergyHopes.