Dear FAAN Teen,
What’s the single best piece of advice you can offer a teen with food allergies?
My best piece of advice is to take control of your own food allergies. The most accurate medical information regarding food allergies is what you learn through doctors and FAAN. By understanding that information, you learn to successfully manage your food allergies.
Well-meaning people will offer advice on how to handle a particular situation even if they do not have accurate information. Always listen and be polite, but trust yourself to know what is best. You know the best ways to manage your allergies, how you carry your medication, and how you handle specific situations. When you come across a particular situation that you do not know how to handle and need advice, it is smart to consult your allergist, parents, FAAN, or another person that truly understands your allergies.
The best advice is to trust yourself. You know when you need to ask questions about a particular food. You know that you need to always carry your medication. You know when to refrain from eating potentially unsafe foods. It is up to you to make sure that you have your medication and that you keep yourself safe.
~Abby, 18, is allergic to tree nuts. She is a TAG member.
