Home
About Us
Contact

Nav Social Menu

You, Me And Food Allergies

Food Allergy Advice
- Food allergy friendly brands
Allergy Books
- Free food allergy resources
Recipes
Children’s corner
- Meet other children with food allergies
Parent support
Schools, Preschools & Nurseries

News & reviews

BSACI issues new guidance on flu nasal spray for children with egg allergy

The Teal Pumpkin Project

Footer

Don’t miss a post! Get the latest to your inbox

youmeandfoodallergies

Two years ago today... I was on This Morning talk

Two years ago today...

I was on This Morning talking about my new book, Living With Allergies.

It was definitely a bucket list moment and I'm grateful I had the opportunity to reach so many people.

Today was much less glamorous, but just as lovely, enjoying the Spring sunshine and Easter chocolate with my family. ☀️🍫

Easter holidays activity - can you guess what we'r

Easter holidays activity - can you guess what we're doing?

It's time to practice using some expired adrenaline injectors!

The kids think it's great fun and it takes away some of the fear associated with them.

Have you tried it with your children?

(They have their counting backwards. It should be 3 seconds for epipen and 10 seconds for jext)

Helicopter mum The awkward one Are just some Of th

Helicopter mum
The awkward one
Are just some
Of the names we get called

Overprotective
Get some perspective
But we know detective
Is more accurate for our FBI skills

Reading labels
Wiping tables
Being sure our kids are able
To live a normal life

Our tiger sense
Is our reference
Feeling tense
But keeping an air of calm

We protect
We intercept
And we have kept
Our cubs safe and well

Medication carriers
Breaking down barriers
Don't underestimate her
The allergy mum.

I wrote this for @the.allergytable blog post to celebrate #internationalwomensday but thought it was worth sharing again here.

To all the allergy mums. You are amazing ❤️

How are you feeling about heading back to school?

How are you feeling about heading back to school?

I must admit I'm feeling a bit nervous as the children are eating their lunches in the classrooms due to covid restrictions.

I've been through their allergy management plans with the headteacher and I'm happy with the precautions in place, but of course as an allergy mum any new situation is scary.

Don't forget, there are lots of free resources on the website including posters, allergy management plan templates and colouring sheets.

This first one is a great way to remind people that hand sanitiser is no substitute for hand washing.

Or, of course, grab yourself a copy of the book to read with your child or give to your school.

Are your children eating in the classroom at the moment? How are you feeling about it?

Where do you keep yours?! I'm loving our new stor

Where do you keep yours?!

I'm loving our new storage unit and it's the perfect place to hang our @medpacbags so we never forget them.

We've been through various different plans of keeping them in a bag or on the side but now the kids are often going different places (pre-lockdown) the grab and go option works well for us.

I'd love to know how you make sure you never forget your adrenaline injectors.

*New Year's Sale - 50% off* The paperback of my L

*New Year's Sale - 50% off*

The paperback of my Living With Allergies book is sold out on Amazon again and won't be back in stock for a few weeks.

So until then, I've decided to do a special offer and sell hardback copies on my site for just £9.99 or 50%off RRP (currently still £15.99 on Amazon)

The book has over 50 5* reviews. Here are a few snippets:

"I will be recommending this book to everyone who lives with allergies"

"It's so practical and has answered so many of the worries and questions I had"

"This book is what every allergy parent needs"

"I felt so much more informed, empowered and able to cope"

To buy >>> Link in bio

Don't forget your food bank this Christmas! 🎄🎁🥣

If you are able to, it's great to help them out with some free from food as they are often unsure of what to provide.

I spoke to my local food bank who said they were fine for basics like gluten free pasta, but found everything else hard to navigate.

So we stocked up, clearly labelled some staples to make it easier (like pointing out that bourbons were dairy and soya free) and hope it will help some free from families.

We donate throughout the year but they see a surge of demand around the holidays.

I can only imagine how stressful it must be to need the food bank, while also worrying if they can cater for your dietary needs.

My local service also give out supermarket vouchers to people with specific needs so that might be a good option to donate too.

Do you have a question for me? I'll be answering

Do you have a question for me?

I'll be answering them live on the first episode of the new @theallergycollective IGTV series.

Just leave them below or send me a message.

I hope to see you at 8pm tonight for a great chat.

I'm really excited to bring you the lowest price e

I'm really excited to bring you the lowest price ever on my books!

I want to share as much allergy awareness as possible and I know it's been a tough year for lots of people.

So I'm selling them together at only £18!! - link in bio.

I'm hoping this will help people who haven't got them yet, or who would like to buy copies for their school or community.

Here's a few reviews, just in case you're still unsure:

"It’s beautifully illustrated with clear, concise information not only for children but also for adults. I’d highly recommend it!"

"So great to get positive, helpful advice. Navigating the world of allergies with kids is a scary time. This book is what every allergy parent needs."

And they are both endorsed @allergy_uk

I can only offer 50 copies at this price (well actually 46 now as four sold on the website before I actually announced it 😂)

So get your hands on some quick and spread the word! Link in bio

(Offer ends midnight 30 November or when books run out)

She passed!! Sesame challenge complete. Miss A wa

She passed!! Sesame challenge complete.

Miss A wasn't very impressed by the taste of tahini, even mixed with chocolate spread, but she persevered.

And a few hours later, with no reaction, we are on our way home.

She was very brave and I'm really proud of her.

One mcdonalds, lots of haribo and the promise of a toy, and she's a happy girl too.

Although I think she was most excited about everything being lit up as we left London!

To all children with allergies, we will be your vo

To all children with allergies, we will be your voice ❤️

(This lovely quote is from autism mama @itsatinkthing but I know we all feel the same)

We will read labels for you

We will educate family and friends for you

We will make schools listen for you

We will talk to chefs for you

We will cry with frustration for you

We will make safe food for you

We will learn to use medication for you

We will help navigate an allergy filled world for you

And we will be right beside you, holding your hand, as you learn to do it yourself.

Because we're in this together.

And you're worth every step ❤️

*WIN* over £100 of Medpac products and allergy bo

*WIN* over £100 of Medpac products and allergy books for you and your school or nursery.

With 1 in 13 children now having a food allergy, it's time for all schools and nurseries to step up and know how to keep pupils safe and included.

So we want to hear how yours do it! Has your school run great allergy awareness activities? Does your catering team offer an allergy friendly menu? Has a teacher gone out of their to support your child?

Tell us about them and you could win:

*2 large and 2 small insulated Medpacs and 2 copies of You, Me & Food Allergies for your school

*1 midi Medpac, 1 copy of You, Me & Food Allergies and 1 drawstring bag for you.

All you have to do is
-Follow @youmeandfoodallergies
@medpacbags

Fill in the form (link in bio)

We can't wait to hear all your stories!

(UK entrants only. Competition closes 22 November at midnight)

How to use an Epipen or Jext pen 1. Lie the perso

How to use an Epipen or Jext pen

1. Lie the person down. Do not make them walk as this can make the reaction worse.

2. If they are having trouble breathing, raise their head and shoulders.

3. Take the cap off the adrenaline injector.

4. Push the opposite end firmly against the outside of the thigh until it clicks. (There is no need to remove clothing but try to avoid thick seams)

5. Hold it in place for 3 seconds (epipen) or 10 seconds (jext)

6. Call 999

7. If symptoms persist after 5 minutes, use another adrenaline injector in the other thigh.

When your princess matches your pumpkin... We had

When your princess matches your pumpkin...

We had a special visit from Cinderella today to drop off the children's pumpkins (such a lovely Halloween idea from @emmabelleprincesses)

So of course, we had to teach her about our teal pumpkin and what it means for children with food allergies.

We will be walking around decoration spotting this Halloween and I'll be handing out sweets for each house we see.

It's a great Coronavirus compromise and also much safer for food allergies anyway!

What are you doing to join in the fun?

I love this! My great friend and allergy advocate

I love this! My great friend and allergy advocate @kyledinemusic has been reading You, Me & Food Allergies with his puppets!

"This book is excellent. Its a food allergy 101 at a kids level that isn't scary but empowering"

If you haven't checked out Kyle's kids songs about allergies, make sure you do. He is one of my son's favourite people after singing with him last year!

Also, take a look at Kyle's @equal_eats allergy cards making it easier to eat out.

No, I know it's not that easy! But I love how thi

No, I know it's not that easy!

But I love how this illustration from @nutfreemeg makes us question our thoughts.

I've been so caught up in my fear before, afraid to eat out, give my children new foods or leave them with other people.

I've blamed myself for anaphylactic reactions, been convinced that something dreadful will happen and wanted to wrap my kids in cotton wool.

It's normal.
It is not your fault.
Managing allergies is hard.

But it doesn't need to take over and anxiety does not have to rule your life.

This is a subject I'm really passionate about, because I know how debilitating it is.

It's why I've gone back to university and I am studying a masters in the psychology and neuroscience of mental health.

You can follow my main account @emma.amoscato for more in that area and I'll be launching my anxiety support programme again soon.

I'm also considering doing some one-to-one sessions for people dealing with allergies. So let me know if that's something you'd be interested in.

How do you cope with allergy anxiety?

What are you planning for Halloween this year? Wh

What are you planning for Halloween this year?

Whatever you decide, make sure it involves a teal pumpkin!

It's an easy and fun way to show you are allergy aware.

I've written a blog post you can share with your friends, family and schools about how to get involved. (link in bio)

And also a few places like @theallergytoolkit where you can get some lovely teal products.

Have you found any allergy friendly Halloween treats? Check out my stories for a few a spotted today.

*UPDATE - BSACI clarified 'severe egg allergy' -

*UPDATE - BSACI clarified 'severe egg allergy'
- October 2020

The only children who cannot have the nasal spray in a primary setting are those who had anaphylaxis to egg that required ventilation in intensive care.

This is a question I see asked a lot at this time of year.

There is conflicting and confusing information out there so I've tried to make it clear and concise.

The flu nasal spray is safe for children with egg allergy, according to current guidance.

If your child has been hospitalised in intensive care for an anaphylactic reaction to egg, talk to your consultant.

For more detail and links to the studies, take a look at the blog post (link in bio)

Have your children had the nasal spray?

Bogey bites and eyeball jelly...our allergy friend

Bogey bites and eyeball jelly...our allergy friendly Halloween recipes

We know celebrations can be tough for children with food allergies and we want to make them as inclusive as possible.

So we've put together some easy, allergy friendly recipes, all free from the top 14 allergens.

They are perfect for making at school, nursery, or for a family party.

The green ghoul was my favourite (fabulous drinks jars £1 @lovewilko)

(Link in bio)

*How to prepare your child for skin prick tests*

*How to prepare your child for skin prick tests*

Most people don't like being poked by a sharp object, so it's no wonder children aren't very keen on skin prick tests!

They are, however, important for the diagnosis and management of food allergies. So here are a few tips to make the experience a bit easier.

- Talk to your child about what to expect, explain the steps at the clinic and why they need to do it. If they have had them before, discuss how it felt and anything they are worried about.

-Role play the tests, from walking in, talking to the nurse and drawing on their arm.

- Use a clean, sharp object (a wooden skewer works well) to pop drops of water on their skin

- On the day, take some distractions. Some clinics will have play specialists and toys (not during covid). Otherwise, an ipad and headphones can help them switch off.

-Offer rewards. Small things to look forward to - we always go for a McDonald's afterwards, or the promise of a toy or treat can keep them focused.

-If you know your child struggles, try to limit the amount of tests. Can some be done by bloods? Could they skip any that are unlikely to have changed?

-Tell the nurse or doctor your child is nervous. It's normal and they are trained to help.

-Talk to your allergist about play therapy or accessing a psychologist if your child's anxiety is too high.

Use our book to talk through the process and emotions they might be feeling.

What are your top tips?

Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · ·Beloved Theme by Restored 316