To be so tired of how people treat adults with allergies?

[T2517]

I have a severe peanut allergy, have done since toddler hood and am now 26. Over the last few years my allergy has become more of a problem than ever.

People are so selfish it actually blows my mind - there have been times when I ask nicely (I’m shy and anxious generally) if peanuts could be moved away from me because I could literally die breathing them in and I always get a horrible response. I don’t get if - I don’t do this for fun, I could literally die. I always move away from peanuts if I see them but sometimes this isn’t possible.

I am terrified that one day I will die because someone can’t be bothered to not eat peanuts. I hate flying because I always hear comments on the plane about how nobody can be that allergic to nuts etc. I am the last person to kick up a fuss and I hate asking people not to. I just don’t understand why people are so hostile about allergies?! It feels dramatic to say but sometimes it feels like people don’t care about your life. I’m not talking about it in food etc because restaurants and stuff have been super helpful I just mean airborne allergies and people not understanding.

I have to book a flight soon and I’m terrified. I don’t expect anyone to never eat peanuts again but just to understand that it isn’t easy to live with an allergy like this. I would give anything to be normal.

I don't know, that must be really frightening, sorry. I'd hope people would respect you and what it could cause more.

Think that a lot of people don't understand severe allergies and think that you have to ingest the bus to have a reaction.

I think people don't understand rather thsn not care. If they have never seen a bad reaction then it doesn't feel real to them. It is thoughtlessness rather than malice, but obviously really hard for you.

I don't know why people are allowed to eat nut on planes tbh. No one needs a packet of peanuts - they could wait until they land.

These people are ignorant. Peanut allergy is serious.
I get annoyed at people who claim to have an allergy when they are only mildly intolerant.
Make sure you advise hosts, venues, airlines and so on of the severity of your allergy. If you don't already, wear an SOS tag and carry a treatment pen or advice etc.
Best wishes for your flight.

Sorry the title should say people, I originally had a different point and forgot to change it. I found it easier when I was a kid then - maybe people just feel more obligated to protect children

T2517 bless you

I think it might be partly down to ignorance from people who have been lucky to never had an actual allergic reaction before themselves or witnessed one. But also how there is wide spread confusion between intolerances and allergic reactions.

Our DS is allergic to fish and needs an epipen etc and it surprises me how family members joke about it or waiters do not understand why I am stressing that DS' meal cannot be in contact with any fish products. Also upsets me how we still have yet to find a nursery that is willing to take him on despite his fish allergy. So far we keep getting responses of "we haven't anyone on site that can use an epi-pen" or "sorry we can't guarantee he won't be in contact with fish as vegetarians need to eat fish for protein" (and yes I am shocked at how wrong these responses are) --sorry hijacked your allergies in adults post a bit here

I don’t wear a tag, but I do have emergency medical info on my phone and my epipens are in my bag. Am looking into a tag though. Everywhere I go knows about my allergy as I tell them. EasyJet is a great airline for but safely but it’s the passengers on board that are usually the problem.

I went abroad on a cruise and on a river boat excursion there were nuts EVERYWHERE. Asked if they could be moved, she moved a few bowls and said “I CAN’T MOVE ALL THE PEANUTS JUST SIT AT THE BACK” and was surprised when I demanded the boat take me back to the jetty (about 5 ft away at that point) because I didn’t want to die in the middle of the river. I think that’s what started how I feel now. Just feels like nobody cares as long as they get their snack..

No don’t be silly! I was a kid once too. Ignorance of allergies is staggering. Fish is a difficult one as it’s in so much that you wouldn’t expect! Good for you for keeping your little one safe, not easy being an allergy mum. My mum is still a fierce warrior when it comes to peanuts and I love her so much

I would argue that if your allergy is so bad that you could die just by inhaling something, then flying on a plane with recycled air is not for you. Even if someone ate peanuts before coming on board there is no way to be sure that they don’t have traces on their person. Likewise peanut oil is everywhere. And what about tree nuts (almonds / cashews) and seeds?

You could always threaten to sue the hosts.

Get the tag e.g SOS talisman. It could save your life.It's one of the first things a first aider looks for.

I’m not allergic to other nuts, just peanuts. So I’m never allowed to travel just so someone can eat a snickers..? It is possible for me to fly and I have done so many time. Peanut oil isn’t “everywhere” but it’s weird to deny someone the opportunity to travel all together. Airlines don’t prohibit me from flying, they come up with a solution. Touch wood it’s been fine apart from an incident when I was a kid. I could live my life in one place, but I’d rather not.

I sympathise OP. I'm severely allergic to nuts (not airborne only if I eat or touch them). I think the growing awareness of intolerances and sensitivities make serious allergies lose their value a bit- nowadays almost everyone has something they 'can't' eat so we all seem to get lumped under the same brush.

I would love to see education as to the differences between intolerances and allergies so that more people have greater awareness of how different the two (and their consequences) really are

Just feels like nobody cares as long as they get their snack..

I hear you! My allergy isn't peanuts, but it can still kill me (and nearly has on several occasions). People either don't listen, don't believe or don't care. My most spectacular one was a mid-air medical emergency with a diversion to the nearest airport for me to be rushed to hospital - could easily have been avoided.

If you want to take the risk then fine, but peanut oil is usually used in the preparation and storage of other types of nuts. My colleague nearly died because the cashews my manager was eating (and she wasn’t allergic to) had peanut oil in them. Everyone was distraught by this as you don’t expect this; but it’s the truth unfortunately. Happens even more in Asia.

Duchyduke do you suggest that OP should stay at home? Charter her own private jet? Strap on a rocket pack and make her own way to Spain? Honestly no wonder she gets worried about asking people to not eat nute around her!

OP I think nuts should just not be sold on planes or in airports, particularly on long haul flights where it's not like the plane can just divert to the nearest airport!

I suggest using alternate modes of transport, yes. It’s not worth the risk in my opinion.

All planes I've been on don't sell nuts ano ask you don't eat them if they have someone allergic on board. Not heard a single grumble.

I tried that - I mainly cruise as my holiday. Guess what? In the last year they’ve introduced peanuts everywhere. Went on a train - someone eating peanuts. Bus - peanuts. I’m running out of options. Jet pack looking increasingly attractive. I don’t fly long haul because I think that’s asking for trouble. Haven’t seen peanut oil used in other nuts (don’t eat them but know people who do and they check for me) but will be aware in the future thanks for the tip

Also I will never, ever travel to Asia as I know it is a massive risk. I just want to go to visit my family in the U.K. or maybe a wild trip to Spain! Maximum two hours!

Oh also I have coeliac disease which doesn’t help as so many read gluten free as “faddy” so assume I’m lying. Once had people put peanut products in my cupboard at uni to “test” my allergy and rub snickers on my door handle so maybe I’m over sensitive. Tired of not feeling free to live a normal life really. Just scared of having my future taken away in more ways than one. Drama llama I know.

The water has become muddied by the food intolerance people sadly

Who rightly or wrongly annoy people

So the real genuine allergies (and nuts can kill) get undervalued

I guess you are never going to know for sure that there are none around - that's simply not feasible. Are there further measures you can take yourself to protect yourself? Would it work if you wore some kind of mask in an aeroplane - I know if would look unsightly, but if it did the trick? TBH I have often thought of wearing a mask on a plane myself as you just know that you are going to go down with whatever germs everyone else has on the flight with all the recycled air.

Probably wouldn’t work as the air would still be the same. I buy wipes for my seat and just kind of hope for the best. And tell stewards etc for announcement. It’s worked so far, maybe I’m just over thinking stuff in my head. Just read an article about two siblings who had trouble on a flight and the comments on t have made me a bit upset (on a paper well known for pinching stories from here so didn’t want to mention it at first)

I worked with a person who had a raisin allergy.

Someone left a raisin biscuit on his desk as a "joke". I went mad.

Allergies are not a joke.