2. Understand they can't always predict their reactions. Sometimes I just itch, other times I wheeze and my tongue swells. Sometimes I vomit.
3. Understand they sometimes feel burdened by the social aspects of their allergies. Honestly, sometimes I hate having to explain to someone why I can't eat something. I get weary of asking constant questions about ingredients.
4. Understand that they will always have to ask you about ingredients in anything you offer or cook. I really don't expect you to cook something special just for me if you are having a group over. I can always bring my own food, I do not mind. And please don't be offended if you thought you were making something I could eat and it turns out I can't. I wish I could eat it to be polite, but it is not worth a hospital trip to keep from offending you.
5. Understand that having a reaction in public can be embarrassing. If I start to wheeze in a restaurant, I will get up and walk outside. If you are my friend, please follow me. I can't stand to be in public having a reaction, but I can't be alone in case I pass out. I may need you to get me a drink of water. I have never not been able to administer my own antidote with food allergies, but I have with my insect allergies. I cannot predict what might happen. But if I'm wheezing, I must have benadryl fast. If that doesn't help in 5 minutes, I need to be injected with my epipen.
6. Understand that if you or a restaurant cannot tell me exactly what is in a food, then I cannot eat it.
