Allergy at university

[Neolara]

This is a little way off as dd2 is only 13, but I've been wondering how dc with anaphylaxic food allergies cope when they go to uni. Do you think it's safer to go for catered or self-catering accommodation? Do universities even think about stuff like this when the allocate accommodation? Dd2 has a severe peanut allergy which she currently manages very well. But if she has to share a kitchen with 10 others who may not necessarily accommodate her allergy (and I can see why they might not want to), I can see all sorts of problems ahead.

I worry about things like this every day, but my daughter’s life threatening allergy is to milk which is everywhere. She’s also 13. She says she wants to stay living at home when the time comes but it breaks my heart to think she won’t live at university or travel. She won’t eat food prepared by anyone else as she’s ended up needing her epipen several times in the past after eating out where mistakes have been made, so she would have to do self catering. Allergies are horrible.

I am in Ireland my cousin is in a nut and egg free uni accommodation. I assume that this would be common enough elsewhere?

DS almost there years away from this and it worries me too. He's sensible but he'll need to be living with equally sensible people.

One thing I did find out is that Southampton uni have quiet and alcohol free accommodation. I expect that's a much safer bet for them. Maybe other Uni's offer the same.

three years away.

The university does ask you to list preferences but as we found they don't promise to actually fulfill requests eg they had a number of "quiet flats" which we requested on medical grounds and that she is a mature student but she was placed with a bunch of 18 year old boys (who actually have been very quiet respectful and tried to include her but she's teetotal due to meds, autistic and older!)

They had nut free as a tick box on the accommodation form but if there weren't enough to fill the flat I'm not sure how they could enforce it, they had enough trouble enforcing washing cup!

Catered isn't available many places, and where it's available it's mostly a credit system all over campus where they have nut free but just messaged my friend who is a catering manager for a university to ask her for you - they can't guarantee their kitchens are nut free but have guaranteed nut free products from outside, gluten free is similar

It's a fair way off yet and she might decide on an apprenticeship instead. More and more DC are also going to local Unis now. Would they be an option for your DD?

My DS is going to uni next year. When we looked around accommodation most unis will provide mini fridges in uni rooms if needed on medical / religious grounds - so your child could store food in own fridge - and clean surfaces throughly before cooking.

Yes I think self catering would be better than catered as I’d trust myself more rather than a canteen person. Maybe a smaller flat with just 5-6 people rather than 10?

like a pp said they’d be allowed a mini fridge so nobody is cross contaminating their butter, etc. keep some other stuff such as jam, marmite, etc in the bedroom as well. Wipe down surfaces before using explain to house mates. Even keep own cutlery and chopping board in bedroom if necessary.

is the allergy airborne?

When we've been looking at Unis for DH some have small studio flats which have their own sink/fridge/cooking facilities.

They're more expensive but should be safer for your DD?

My eldest is 19 and at Uni with a severe milk allergy. When she was younger she wanted to stay at home but that changed as she grew up, although she’s home now for the holidays and definitely says she prefers it. 😊She misses home baked food (I can’t self promote but if you Google my user name you’ll come across my website and cookbook 😁). Anyway, shes in self catering accommodation and has started to really love cooking, but it is hard. She can’t really ever grab something on the go and it difficult to make 3 meals a day when you’re first cooking for yourself. I bought her a couple of cookbooks which has helped (plus mine which was written with her and other facing the same challenges in mind) but she definitely comes home hungry. She also sometimes misses out, like when flatmates get a takeaway to share she’ll just make herself something. There’s also been a few mishaps like someone’s milk dripping all over her food in the fridge and a few reactions too. So all in all, I’d say it’s not comfortable but it is possible. Just make sure they’re as prepared as possible- promote a love of cooking if you can, give them the books and tools do they can look after themselves. But yes , everyone will worry….

Hi I am a university student with a severe allergy. For my final project I am looking into allergy management and how it can be improved I would value any opinions you would be willing to give the survey should only take 3 minutes to complete if anyone could spare a couple of minutes to help me out
CLICK HERE FOR SURVEY LINK
Thanks
Charlotte

I've filled out the survey and will try and get my daughters to as well. Good luck with your dissertation Charlotte x

I can share in on my fairly active Facebook page if you like?

DS went to Uni of Birmingham with a severe peanut allergy. Although they took all his information at the accommodation office and nodded along to the suggestion that he share a kitchen with other nut allergic students for safety, they did absolutely nothing about it and he was just allocated a standard flat with non allergic students. All you can do is inform and impress on your flatmates the importance, be super careful yourself and have your epi-pens to hand.

Thank you very much that would be amazing ! @lucysfriendlyfoods