Lara Thornett - Allergy to Nuts

Lara Thornett, 22, a trainee solicitor living in Guildford speaks to us about adapting to life with allergies……..

Lara (22) has suffered with allergies since she was a child but up until last year she had no idea just how severe her allergy was.

As a child she suffered with milder allergies such as hayfever and an allergy to animal hair, dustmites and certain cosmetic products, all of which gave her a skin rash or itchy swollen eyes, mouth and palate.

Whilst at university the severity of Lara’s allergies developed. On one occasion her eyes and face swelled up after eating apples and so she began to avoid foods as she discovered she was allergic to them. It progressively got worse and she was referred to an allergy specialist for tests.

She was diagnosed with oral allergy syndrome and an allergy to nuts such as peanuts, hazelnuts and almonds and was also advised to avoid all fruits that had previously caused symptoms and most importantly to carry an epi-pen.

However before she could attend her follow-up appointment to receive her epi-pen, Lara suffered a severe anaphylactic reaction. ‘I wasn’t aware at the time what caused the reaction but my face and throat quickly started to swell. I was just so lucky that it happened when I was at home with family and received the help I needed and was rushed to hospital immediately.’

Due to the severity of her allergy and reaction Lara’s GP advised she should become a member of MedicAlert and wear an emblem detailing her allergies and advising people that she carries an epipen. ‘Now that I know how serious it could be I don’t leave the house without my MedicAlert emblem and epi-pen’ says Lara. She has two MedicAlert emblems, a silver heart bracelet and a more casual hot pink bead set ensuring she has an option for every outfit as she wears one at all times.

Lara has found it extremely difficult to adjust to knowing that she has such severe allergies and initially worried about eating unknown foods. She stopped eating out completely as she felt the risk was too high and preferred to prepare her own meals as a safety precaution; however, as she has begun to adapt to coping with her allergies and with the comfort of wearing the MedicAlert bracelet Lara has begun to enjoy eating out at restaurants again.

Speaking about how this affects her, Lara Says:

‘Initially I felt that my allergy was going to affect all parts of my everyday life and I  felt particularly isolated by not being able to enjoy food as I used to or to join in social occasions involving food – restaurants, bbqs etc. I was also particularly worried about going on holidays abroad and ensuring that food was suitably prepared.

With the help and support of my family and friends I have adjusted to life with allergies and try not to let it affect me. I am not yet confident enough to go on holiday abroad but have been on self-catering holidays in the UK and have more planned this summer. As a precaution my boyfriend also avoids nuts..’

‘As my condition is a hidden one and would not be immediately recognisable to someone who did not know me I feel that I have really benefited from signing up to MedicAlert and wearing the bracelet - I now never go anywhere without it. My emblem gives me the peace of mind that should anything happen when my friends and family are not with me the people around me will know how to react. I have never had a situation where the bracelet has been necessary, and I hope not to, but just the comfort of knowing that should anything happen all the necessary information is available is a brilliant thing to have.’