Family/Friends

When it comes to friends, you want to get them on board with helping you stay safe. The more your friends and family know about your allergies, the more likely they will be to help you. Friends can be a big source of support and help you manage your allergies in potentially risky situations.


Keep in Mind

• Communicate

Don’t keep your allergy a secret. Let people know about it and you’ll be surprised by how receptive they can be. Friends and family care about you and will likely go out of their way to help you any way they can, but the onus is on you to communicate your needs to them.

• Just Say No
  

It can be quite tempting when a friend or family member offers you a tasty treat which you are allergic to. Although you might feel the pressure to eat it since everyone else is, just say “no thanks.”

• Don't Keep an Allergic Reaction a Secret
  

If you are having an allergic reaction, let others know. You may feel embarrassed or awkward to bring up the fact that you are experiencing allergy symptoms, but it is crucial to have those around you know in case the allergic reaction gets worse quickly. No one will care whose fault it is - your safety is always number one.

• Find the Humour
  

It can be quite helpful to keep a sense of humour and perspective about food allergies while balancing risk with reasonable expectations. If a friend or family member accidentally forgets and offers you something unsafe, try to make light of the mishap without making them feel bad. One example is saying “Is this part of your secret plan to keep all the food to yourself?!”

• You are Not Alone
  

When others around you don’t have allergies, you may not want to bother them with the issues you face. The fact is, friends and family want to help. E-mail or print-off some credible resources to show what anaphylaxis is all about. Find what you need to tell friends about food allergies in our Learn section.

•  Actions Speak Louder than Words
  If you feel that your parents don't think you are fully capable of managing your own allergies, prove that you can. Actions such as inquiring about ingredients at restaurants as well as keeping track of your auto-injector's expiry date can help prove to your parents that you are managing your allergies responsibly.