Living with Allergies

Are you navigating a new allergy diagnosis? Or maybe you aren’t quite sure what’s causing your allergy-like symptoms. Or, perhaps you need some help living with daily allergy-related challenges.  

We’re here to help. Our evidence-based content can provide the insights you need to feel more informed and empowered—and less alone. Whether you have allergies, you’re a parent whose child has allergies, or you’re a healthcare provider exploring resources for your patients, you’ve come to the right place.   
 

What are you interested in?
Asthma Action Plan: How to control allergic asthma symptoms
Asthma can be terrifying, but it doesn’t have to be. By identifying risk factors for attacks and establishing an asthma action plan with your healthcare provider, you can help take some of the scary out of asthma.
Allergies vs. Cold: Which One Are You Fighting?
Being aware of the differences between allergies and cold symptoms can help you better find the best treatment and ultimately, the relief that you are looking for.
Pet Dander Allergy - What causes it and how to find relief?
Discover what causes pet dander allergies how scientific research on pet allergen components is changing the game for people with pet dander allergies.
Sesame Allergy Testing: What You Need to Know
For those diagnosed with an allergy to sesame, recent changes in federal legislation might seem like a light at the end a long and confusing food allergies tunnel.
Food sensitivity test vs. food allergy test
If you’re one of the many people out there who has noticed that they have stomach issues or other adverse reactions after eating select foods, you may have also wondered, “Do I have a food intolerance or is it something else?”
How to Introduce Food Allergens to Children
Contrary to earlier advice, new guidelines recommend introducing children to allergenic foods in their first four to six months of life. Learn why, when, and how to introduce kids to these foods and what symptoms to watch for during the process.
Can allergies change over time?
Explore how and why allergies fluctuate over time, examine which allergies children are likely to outgrow, and learn why repeat testing is important.
Anaphylaxis: Common Symptoms and Signs
What are the symptoms of anaphylaxis and some of the most common triggers? Explore this anaphylaxis primer, which includes a short video.
10 New and Surprising Facts About Alpha-Gal Syndrome
Alpha-Gal Syndrome, aka red meat allergy, actually begins with a bite from a tick, and symptoms typically don’t occur for three to six hours after eating red meat. Weird right? Discover more about this wacky but serious syndrome.
Beyond Celiac: Five Gluten-Related Disorders
Celiac disease isn’t the only gluten-related disorder. Score insights on five gluten- or wheat-related conditions and possible steps to secure a diagnosis.
How to Host an Allergy-Friendly Holiday Gathering
Food allergies don’t need to crush your holiday spirit. Explore information and strategies to host a safe and festive holiday gathering.
Is Christmas tree allergy making you sick?
Christmas trees could be a reason for sneezin’. Learn about Christmas tree allergy, which may involve allergies to mold, pollen, dust mites, and/or sap.
What Science Says About Diagnosing Food Allergies
Take a closer look at allergy diagnostics. Learn when testing is appropriate, what a positive allergy test might mean, and what additional testing options are available.
Allergies and U: Allergy Strategies for the College Bound
For those with allergies, heading off to college is a whole new and perhaps uncertain world. Get graduate-level advice to help score a PhD in real world allergy preparedness.
30 Tips for Traveling with Allergies
Traveling is a break from your normal (and allergy-safe) routine. Score 30 allergy-friendly travel strategies to ensure your allergies don’t trip you up while traveling.
Are you an #EmpoweredPatient?
In partnership with Zestfull, we are combining our evidence-based scientific roots with the real-life experiences of the Zestfull community to explore what it means to find empowerment through allergy testing. To know is the win.
Reaching the End Zone: A Food Allergy Success Story
Did a peanut allergy diagnosis prevent a young man from achieving his dream of playing college football? Almost... but then his empowered mother decided to tackle that challenge head on. Watch the full video to see this inspirational story.
How to Talk to Your Doctor About Allergies More Effectively
Want to make the most of your allergy-related healthcare appointment? Use this handy four-step guide to assemble the right information and prepare a thorough list of questions.
What are pollen allergies?
What is pollen? Where does it come from? And how can you manage a pollen allergy? Get the answers in this pollen primer.
Pollen Count: Answers to Four Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pollen count, how is it measured, and what do these counts mean? Explore pollen-count particulars.
Five Spring Allergy Myths and What They Mean for You
Allergy Insider debunks five common seasonal-allergy myths and explores related topics including the symptom threshold, nonallergic triggers, testing, and more.
How to Deal with Allergies
Need help dealing with your allergies? Dr. Lakiea Wright offers four fabulous tips. Also discover 19 tactics to reduce environmental-allergen exposure.
Why aren’t antihistamines working? It may be nonallergic rhinitis
If allergy medications aren’t working, it may be nonallergic rhinitis causing sneezing, runny nose, and other spring allergy symptoms. Nonallergic rhinitis is often confused with pollen allergies, especially during spring allergy season.
Stand for food allergy inclusivity on Halloween with the Teal Pumpkin Project.
Explore the Teal Pumpkin Project, an initiative to make trick-or-treat festivities more inclusive for children living with food allergies and intolerances.
A Quick Guide to Allergen Component Testing
What's the difference between whole allergen testing and allergen component testing? Discover the answer via a four-part Q&A.
Five Things You Need to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines and Allergic Reactions
Are COVID-19 vaccines safe for those with allergies, and what allergy-related symptoms might occur? Get answers in this five-point Q&A.
How to Become a Food Allergy and Asthma Advocate
Want to advocate for your child and his or her food allergies? Explore the five-point advocacy "starter kit" from Thomas Silvera at the Elijah-Alavi Foundation.
Is Seeing Your Doctor Safer Than Going Grocery Shopping?
Christina Canoday M.D. answers eight patient questions about office visits during the pandemic.
What the Saharan Dust Storm Means for Allergy Sufferers
Saharan dust and household dust comprise diverse components. Discover the key differences between these dusts and how each version can affect you.
A Parent's Guide to Managing Allergies and Asthma During COVID-19
Allergy Insider offers five COVID-conscious suggestions to help manage childhood allergies and asthma, along with tips to prepare for an effective telehealth appointment.
We Are All #ThatKid
To amplify the voices of people whose daily lives are affected by allergies and invisible disease, we created the #ThatKid initiative. Our hope is to bring awareness to these important conditions through powerful, real-life stories, shared by people just like you.
Brian’s Story: Anaphylaxis and a Lifelong Mission
Brian lost his son BJ to an anaphylactic reaction to peanuts. He talks about that experience and his decision to make educating others about food allergies his life mission. He hopes no one else has to go through what his family did.
Crystal and Alexis' #ThatKid Story: Food Allergy Bullying
Food allergies are nothing to joke about. Crystal and Alexis share their story as a part of our #ThatKid initiative to promote allergy awareness.
Food allergies are not a joke.
We are all #ThatKid. To amplify the voices of people whose daily lives are affected by allergies and invisible disease, we created the #ThatKid initiative. Our hope is to bring awareness to these important conditions through powerful, real-life stories, shared by people just like you.
Gennie's #ThatKid Story: On Being Yourself
Meet Gennie: crafter, artist, and doll-clothes designer extraordinaire. Having food allergies and asthma can be challenging at times, but Gennie wants people to know that she’s just like any other kid.
Kortney’s Story: Lifelong Allergies and Taking Control
Kortney was diagnosed with allergies, asthma, and eczema as a child. She shares the lessons she’s learned over the years that have helped her take control of her symptoms and conditions.
Maria’s Story: Food Allergies and Parent Advocacy
As a parent of two children with food allergies, Maria is familiar with the anxiety that surrounds food allergies. Watch Maria's story to see how she learned to become an advocate for her children in order to keep them safe and ensure they receive the best medical care.
Sofia's #ThatKid Story: Living with Multiple Allergies and Becoming an Advocate
Sometimes it isn’t easy being the kid who seems to be allergic to everything. Sofia discovered a silver lining and wants to share the importance of advocating for yourself when it comes to food allergies.
Thomas’ #That Kid Story: Advocacy Can Save Lives
Thomas Silvera’s life changed the day he lost his son Elijah to an anaphylactic reaction. He explains what the #ThatKid hashtag means to him and encourages other to join him in his efforts to spread allergy awareness.
How to Prepare for a Food Allergy Emergency
The best way to ensure a positive outcome from a food-allergy emergency is to prepare for one. Learn how to recognize anaphylaxis, prevent reactions, and more.
How to Read a Food Label: Tips for Allergy Sufferers
Explore the eight major food allergens and how they might be listed on food labels via this graphic illustration.
Living with Food Allergy Anxiety
Get the facts on food allergy anxiety, including how to differentiate it from anaphylaxis and key resources to turn to for help.
How to Grocery Shop and Cook After a Food Allergy Diagnosis
Discover 10 food-allergy shopping and cooking tips, including takeaways regarding labels, unprocessed food, grocery-trip planning, and more.
How to Make the Most of Your Appointment with a Healthcare Provider
An effective asthma-related healthcare appointment starts before you enter your provider's office. Arm yourself with key insights about asthma and allergies prior to your visit.
Social distancing is a best practice. What does it mean for allergies?
Thanks to COVID-19, we're spending more time at home and outdoors, both of which can be allergen rich. Learn four tips to mitigate allergic responses in our new normal.
Is it the flu, novel coronavirus, or allergies?
Explore which symptoms are commonly associated with each condition, and learn how to reduce environmental-allergen exposure and limit the spread of germs.
Egg Allergy and Baked Goods: Can I eat them?
Explore the wacky world of allergen proteins and learn why some people with an egg allergy can eat baked eggs and others must avoid them.
Pet Allergy Symptoms: Can you still keep your furry friends?
The simplest answer is "maybe." For a deeper dive, explore insights about your symptom threshold along with pet-allergy symptoms, causes, and exposure management.
6 Facts About Asthma
Explore six facts about asthma prevelance according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Food Allergy Versus Food Intolerance
Food allergy and food intolerance are not the same. Take a closer look at both conditions and explore why diagnosing food-related discomfort is critical.
Can you have allergies in the winter?
The short answer is "yes." For the long answer, check out this mini primer on year-round allergies, including symptoms, causes, and exposure-reduction tactics.
The Science Behind Allergy Diagnostics
Ready to geek out? Learn about IgE, allergic sensitization, allergen components, and more.
Allergic Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) Symptoms and Causes
What is pink eye? And what's the difference between allergic versus nonallergic conjunctivitis? Explore these answers and more.
What is an ear infection?
Did you know inflammation and congestion from allergies can lead to ear infections? Learn more about ear infection causes and symptoms.
What is eczema?
Did you know some allergies can cause your eczema to flare up or get worse? Check out this primer for more eczema insights.
What are hives?
Take a closer look at hives, including types, causes, symptoms, and treatment.
What is allergy cross-reactivity?
Did you know that if you have a latex allergy, you might react to some fruits as well? This phenomenon involves a type of cross-reactivity. Learn more.
Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity Symptoms and Signs
Even if you don't have an autoimmune or allergic reaction to gluten or other wheat proteins, you can still elicit celiac-disease-like symptoms. Learn more about non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Multiple Allergies and the Symptom Threshold
You might have a decent grasp of each of your allergies. But do you understand how they might work together—and against you—via your symptom threshold? Learn more.
Allergy Testing: Understanding Your Options
Blood test. Skin-prick. Food allergy challenge. Provocation. Learn the pros and cons of each allergy-testing option.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blood Testing for Allergic Triggers
Explore answers to nine commonly asked questions about blood testing for allergic triggers.
How well do you understand your egg allergy?
Component testing can help evaluate potential reactions to baked egg products (e.g., muffin and cookies), predict how likely people are to outgrow their egg allergy, and guide egg-allergy management. Crack open more info on component testing.
Understanding Food Allergy Diagnostics
When it comes to food allergies, the road to diagnosis can be confusing and overwhelming. Here are some fast facts to help you better understand allergy testing options and the basics of allergic sensitization.
How well do you understand your peanut allergy?
Given that various peanut proteins can cause different reactions, it’s important to understand exactly which proteins you’re sensitized to. Learn more about component testing and peanut proteins.
How well do you understand your tree nut allergy?
Tree nuts such as cashews, Brazil nuts, walnuts, and hazelnuts have various levels of cross-reactivity and risks of serious allergic reactions. Find out how component testing can help you better understand your risks.
How well do you understand your milk allergy?
Only 25 percent of children with a milk allergy reacted to baked milk. How can you figure out if you or your child is at risk for a baked-milk reaction? Skim this critical content on milk-related component testing.
HEENT: Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat Allergy Symptoms
Explore all things HEENT, including potential treatment for various HEENT symptoms and a handy chart to help differentiate between cold, flu, and allergy symptoms.
Celiac Disease Symptoms and Causes
Explore this celiac disease primer to discover basics insights, including common symptoms, potential sources of gluten, and diagnostic options.