Monday, April 16, 2012

10 Great Things About Being Allergic & Atopic

There really are some benefits to having allergies and atopy. In honour of World Allergy Week, I've decided to compile my top ten list. Of course, this list is a bit tongue-in-cheek, and definitely not intended to make light of any of these conditions, but all of it is based on my personal experiences.

1. Because you're allergic to so many things, it's pretty impossible to gain too much weight.

2. When you're faced with a really nasty looking, oddly orange-coloured casserole made with cream of mushroom soup, orange juice, overcooked salmon and topped with Ritz crackers, you can truthfully say you're allergic and lie that you're sad you can't eat it since it looks wonderful.

3. The chefs at restaurants frequently make your custom, allergy-free meal way better than your dinner companions' meals and you are envied.

4. Since every restaurant isn't allergy-friendly you get to pick where you want to go when you eat out with friends and family (though you never take advantage of course).

5. If you have an allergic or asthmatic reaction and the ambulance isn't close enough, you get a whole team of firefighters in uniform instead.
 
6. You know enough medical terms that you can actually follow what the actors are saying on House.

7. You baby your skin so much that you'll look 30 when you're 45.

8. To avoid eating scary casseroles (see number 2), you start cooking and realize you're really good at it.

9. You are always well-stocked with epinephrine, anti-histamines, Kleenex, lotion, lip balm, etc.; so, you are literally and figuratively a life-saver at any event.

10.  You know what you can't eat or use; so, you love trying out safe, new foods and products. Your friends and family love your recommendations.

If you've got anything to add, I'd love to read it; so, please add it to the comments below!

10 comments:

  1. 11. Scratching feels so good, all you people with eczema don't know what you're missing.

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  2. Very true. It's so bad, but so good!

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  3. Ha ha, love the list!

    12. You meet a ton of cool people in the online Food Allergy community!

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  4. You end up making your whole family healthy as you try to improve your skin, eat safe foods and avoid environmental toxins, ...

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    1. Very true. My allergies have made my entire family look more closely at what they eat and use on their bodies and around the house.

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  5. As the mother of an atopic child, this gives me some hope! She's two now, and it all just seems SO OVERWHELMING...I find myself riddled with a combination of guilt and anxiety wondering if she'll even LIVE long enough to ENJOY life. And of course she will! :)

    Atopic mommies get to do a lot of things on this list, too, now that I think about it! Somewhat related to #6, I would say you also get a feeling of accomplishment often knowing more about allergies/anaphylaxis/diet protocols/the latest research than most of the MDs you come into contact with!

    So happy to have found your blog!

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    1. Hi Erin,
      Thank you so much for your comment. You've made such a great point. Having these conditions or caring for someone who does makes you a pretty proactive person in general. It's an opportunity to make sure you're always learning and that you're getting the best care available.

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    2. And, your daughter will absolutely enjoy life. The nice thing is that as she grows up she'll find her own way of doing it.

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  6. I agree with Erin - it's hard but also really good when you realise that your kid is never going to eat a lot of junk food, etc. Pain is that you have to make so much from scratch and pack a lot of lunches, but as a result, you always know what's in it and it's usually healthy!

    My skin is a lot better too as I'm learning so much from managing my son's eczema!

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