Children’s Allergy Profile: 29 in 1 Home Kit – £99

The story of her daughter’s allergy is recounted by 27-year-old Linette.

Living with a severe peanut intolerance

Linette Van Der Bacht has been plagued by a severe peanut allergy since infancy. The consumption of peanuts may lead to fatality. What is the effect of this allergy on her daily routine at home?

Linette guides us into the kitchen and dining room of her residence, which is located on the outskirts of the historic town of Olten. She smiles behind her disguise as she opens the door. She has established a natural garden in front of the window. The products are predominantly natural, even in the kitchen. The refrigerator is stocked with fresh, unprocessed foods, such as fish and eggs. The use of packaged products is prohibited as a result of Linette’s severe allergy.

Prohibition of Packaged Products

In the absence of specific medical treatment, Linette may experience severe allergic reactions that can lead to anaphylactic shock if a (packaged) product contains even residues of peanuts. He elucidates, “You will initially experience an itching sensation in your throat, which is followed by the appearance of red spots on your face and difficulty breathing.” You are at risk of losing consciousness and, in the most severe cases, death. Linette Van Der Bacht, a medical student with a peanut allergy, explains, “My friends must verify the presence of peanuts on the counter before I join them for a drink at the bar.” “Medicines are more significant than cell phones.”

The severity of Lindette’s allergy is classified as the seventh most severe on a scale of one to seven. For the time being, she has been privileged enough to avoid the most severe consequences. The medications that she consistently carries with her are administered as soon as she experiences symptoms.”They are more important to me than mobile phones,” she adds with a delightful chuckle.

Using a Home Kit, she was diagnosed with a peanut allergy at the age of three. All six members of her family had their lives utterly upended by the diagnosis.During their excursions or travels, other children were permitted to acquire a chocolate bar or a milk roll. However, Linette’s family was constrained to forfeit them because of the high probability that they contained peanut residue.

Absence of experience with maltreatment

In contrast to other children who suffer from allergies, Linette has never been the victim of discrimination. 77% of allergy sufferers report experiencing feelings of exclusion, and 43% have been harassed at least once in their lifetimes, according to a European study on peanut allergies. Furthermore, anxiety, tension, and frustration are evident in relation to food intake. The custodians of allergic children and healthy parents are frequently the ones who are affected. “The nicknames Peanut and Nutcracker were given to my first boyfriend and me for amusement, rather than as a consequence of bullying,” Linette elucidates.

Linette derives pleasure from consuming sustenance.

She is not apprehensive while consuming. “This is a frequent occurrence for me.”

The medical student, who was only able to partially complete her education as a result of her allergy, assumes a philosophical perspective.I am used to this.However, it is difficult to predict the degree to which a severe allergy can disrupt an individual’s daily routine.

Her companion must abstain from consuming peanuts the day before in order to greet her. It is impossible to be excessively cautious, as the antigens are present in the buccal cavity for only approximately four hours.

Kissing is a potential hazard.

Linette inquires with the production department of retail retailers to determine whether the peanuts were packaged before the almonds. If this is the case, she relinquishes the hazelnuts. For example, Linette comprehends that she is capable of consuming bread from Migro’s establishment without incurring any hazards.

She devotes an extended period of time to shopping in stores, as she meticulously scrutinizes the ingredients list on the packaging to guarantee that there are no residues of peanuts or other ingredients to which she is allergic. She avoids adding items to her shopping cart that are located near unpackaged peanuts.

At the outset of her academic career, Linette disclosed her infant allergy to her colleagues.

By viewing films that are about to be removed from the program, she mitigates the risk of sitting next to an individual who consumes peanuts or M&Ms by reducing the number of viewers.

When a passenger in the carriage next to Linette consumes a Snickers or another peanut-containing bar while she is on the train, she transfers to an alternative carriage.

She performs a test on her wrist before applying lipstick.

She is a board member of the Verein Erdnussallergie & Anaphylaxis, which is the association for peanut allergy and anaphylaxis (erdnussallergie.ch). In this capacity, she imparts her expertise and knowledge regarding allergies to others. She functions as a point of contact for individuals who have recently been diagnosed with an allergy. What is the most effective way to structure my day at this time? What necessitates my attention?Sophie is capable of conveying expert responses to inquiries.

Linette’s daily life is negatively affected by her peanut allergy; however, her life as a whole is not affected.In addition to meeting acquaintances similar to any other young woman, she participates in a diverse array of activities, such as jogging, yoga, dance, strength training, and rowing. She has a particular fondness for the natural landscape, where she can forget about her allergy and be surrounded by flowering plants and insects.

Claudia, who is 41 years old

I was diagnosed with asthma for the first time at the age of eight. I was allergic to the fur of the cats and rodents that I kept at home, as well as to certain edibles and dust.

Despite my adherence to the prescribed remedies, my respiration continued to decline on a daily basis. Throughout childhood, individuals gradually come to terms with the fact that this is not wholly accurate. If the crisis was dire, I would administer a bronchodilator. Alternative solutions did not seem to exist.

Subsequently, I was hospitalized for a severe crisis between the ages of 18 and 19. I remember the terror in my parents’ gaze; we experienced a very challenging period. This treatment was prescribed by the physicians for administration in the morning and evening. Nevertheless, the treatment was unsuccessful and did not endure. As an outcome, my asthma further deteriorated over time. I had reached a juncture in which I was unable to speak and walk simultaneously, and I was afflicted by a persistent wheezing that would not abate.

Consequently, I consulted with a pulmonologist.

The physician who promptly examined me acknowledged the severity of the situation; my lung capacity had been considerably reduced. My enrollment in a specific program that implemented a therapy to mitigate chronic asthma was mandated by her. In the end, a change took place.

I am currently receiving biological therapy every two weeks, and it has been a savior.

Most importantly, I regained my serenity and smile, as the bronchodilator was no longer required. I have regained control over my life and body, and I have also discovered a newfound passion for running. If I consider that I had difficulty walking until recently and am now able to train on a daily basis, I have made progress. So much so that, two years ago, I successfully completed my first marathon. It would not have been possible without the identification of the appropriate therapy.