Anaphylactic Allergy

[Eagle150]

Hello all. My son has had 2 allergic reactions to tree nuts, 6 years ago. His nose, eyes and face swelled up and we took him to the clinic for a Benadryl injection both times. At that time he saw an allergist and was prescribed an EpiPen. He’s now 17 and we just saw the allergist yesterday. His skin prick test shows him at a 4 for walnut allergy and 3 for Hazlenut allergy. The allergist said he’s not a good candidate for an oral challenge due to the severity of the reaction. And he says de-sensitization for tree nuts isn’t something he’s ever seen work.
My son has just come home from NASS and SLE, and although I’ve heard it’s always worth a shot to apply, in reality is there ever a chance for a candidate with an anaphylactic tree nut allergy to gain admission? I have read a lot of threads about candidates with tree nut allergies, who are able to pass an oral challenge, getting a waiver, but I don’t see any positive outcome for anyone with an anaphylactic reaction who can’t pass an oral food challenge. Before my son throws in the towel. I’m just checking to see if there’s any chance at all. Thank you.

 

[gniyji]

Hello all. My son has had 2 allergic reactions to tree nuts, 6 years ago. His nose, eyes and face swelled up and we took him to the clinic for a Benadryl injection both times. At that time he saw an allergist and was prescribed an EpiPen. He’s now 17 and we just saw the allergist yesterday. His skin prick test shows him at a 4 for walnut allergy and 3 for Hazlenut allergy. The allergist said he’s not a good candidate for an oral challenge due to the severity of the reaction. And he says de-sensitization for tree nuts isn’t something he’s ever seen work.
My son has just come home from NASS and SLE, and although I’ve heard it’s always worth a shot to apply, in reality is there ever a chance for a candidate with an anaphylactic tree nut allergy to gain admission? I have read a lot of threads about candidates with tree nut allergies, who are able to pass an oral challenge, getting a waiver, but I don’t see any positive outcome for anyone with an anaphylactic reaction who can’t pass an oral food challenge. Before my son throws in the towel. I’m just checking to see if there’s any chance at all. Thank you.

We are on the same boat. DS has milk allergy and he has been avoiding milk ever since he was a baby. He has never carried EpiPen although our doctor always recommends. DS went to see an allergist last week (the very first time) and did SPT (skin test) and the result was not good. The doctor did not want to perform food challenge because of the severity of the skin test result. My understanding is that If you want to to join the service, you will have to pass the food challenge to receive a waiver.

The problem of allergy is that the reaction is not predictable, even though most mild reactions don't lead to anaphylaxis but as far as food challenge goes, a reaction will be considered fail to pass. I did some "google research" and found 50-60 percent of all SPTs yield “false positive”

Interesting though, DS has been eating glazed donuts (with milk components) for many years, other than a bit tangling on his tongue he does not feel anything. This might be consistent with the skin reaction.

The only golden standard for food allergy is the food challenge -- so we should continue this process and let the military doctors to decide if we are even able to get that point.

 

[Eagle150]

We are on the same boat. DS has milk allergy and he has been avoiding milk ever since he was a baby. He has never carried EpiPen although our doctor always recommends. DS went to see an allergist last week (the very first time) and did SPT (skin test) and the result was not good. The doctor did not want to perform food challenge because of the severity of the skin test result. My understanding is that If you want to to join the service, you will have to pass the food challenge to receive a waiver.

The problem of allergy is that the reaction is not predictable, even though most mild reactions don't lead to anaphylaxis but as far as food challenge goes, a reaction will be considered fail to pass. I did some "google research" and found 50-60 percent of all SPTs yield “false positive”

Interesting though, DS has been eating glazed donuts (with milk components) for many years, other than a bit tangling on his tongue he does not feel anything. This might be consistent with the skin reaction.

The only golden standard for food allergy is the food challenge -- so we should continue this process and let the military doctors to decide if we are even able to get that point.

Thank you for your reply. And good luck in your journey! Hopefully you have a way forward It’s something we didn’t really think about before, but the rules make sense. My kiddo is an SPL and he’s going to make sure all of the boys in his troop are equipped with all of the knowledge he’s gained on his journey. His Plan C has now become his Plan A, so we’re letting that soak in today.