Peanut Allergy DQ?

[Schmity22]

Hello all. I am currently a junior in high school and looking to start my journey down the application path. I am looking to start applying to USMA, USAFA, and USNA (with an emphasis on USAFA). I believe I am a very well-qualified candidate in terms of academics, moral, and physical nature, and I have a high desire to pursue this path. However, I have a peanut allergy that I am currently still positive for (recent blood tests still show I have an active anaphylactic allergy ), but I have never had a reaction in my life. I do carry epi-pens on me but I haven't had to use them. I am in the process of starting oral immunotherapy treatment and I am wondering what are the requirements to have this allergy waived? If my allergist can confidently say I do not need to carry an epi-pen anymore after building tolerance, will this be enough evidence to receive a waiver? Otherwise, will I need an oral food challenge either way? Does anyone know of more severe cases where peanut allergies have been waived? Apologies for the bombardment of questions.

Additionally, I've read USMA is more "lenient" on food allergies than USAFA or USNA? Any help/info that anyone can provide is greatly appreciated. I know I have specific questions related to myself that most can't answer, but any insight I greatly appreciate. I'd also just like to note that attending a service academy has been a dream that I've set my mind on for many years now, and having a food allergy ruin those chances would be devastating. I plan to start with my pre-candidate questionnaires once they open, but I'd like to make myself a conclusion as soon as possible if I am a "no-go". Thanks.

 

[NeverSayNever]

Dig through some of the old posts here on peanut allergy. I know of at least one thread a couple years ago where a candidate successfully completed immunotherapy and safely passed an oral food challenge. You have to understand and be patient through the process and recognize that you will start out as DISQUALIFIED and only if deemed otherwise qualified AND competitive will a waiver be an option. DD obtained a waiver for USMMA without an oral food challenge but that test is the current gold standard for formally disproving a food allergy. You aren't completely out of the game and it is an uphill battle - but at this point the game is only over if you don't apply.

You can read dozens of threads on this forum regarding food allergies for case studies.

 

[gniyji]

Has your IgE level gone down over the years ? DS had one milk allergy incident when he was a baby. He had been avoiding milk until recently he had to deal with this allergy for SA applications. His milk IgE went down from 15 kU/L to 2kU/L indicating outgrowing of the allergy. "Research has shown up to 20 percent of individuals with a peanut allergy eventually outgrow it (cut and paste aka plagiarized)". 80% outgrow milk allergy.

It is good that you started "oral immunotherapy". The process of applying SA itself is rewarding !

 

[EJF]

My son's roommate last year who is in AROTC (4 year scholarship winner) was successful in getting through the immunotherapy process for nut allergy. AF ROTC did not grant his waiver, while Army ROTC did. He did apply to the Service Academies, but did not receive admission, although I'm not sure what full reasons were. You would be wise to keep all your options open and consider applying for the ROTC Scholarships in addition to the Academies. Not to discourage your dream of attending a SA, which is an amazing goal, but many students have been very happy with the route of ROTC and is certainly worth having on your list of consideration. Whatever route you take, the key will be to begin working on all this as soon as possible, and begin the DODMERB process as promptly as the application process will allow. Best of luck to you!

 

[Schmity22]

Has your IgE level gone down over the years ? DS had one milk allergy incident when he was a baby. He had been avoiding milk until recently he had to deal with this allergy for SA applications. His milk IgE went down from 15 kU/L to 2kU/L indicating outgrowing of the allergy. "Research has shown up to 20 percent of individuals with a peanut allergy eventually outgrow it (cut and paste aka plagiarized)". 80% outgrow milk allergy.

It is good that you started "oral immunotherapy". The process of applying SA itself is rewarding !

Unfortunately, my levels have not gone down, but I am hoping immunotherapy will lower them to a point where I can safely complete an oral food challenge if necessary. I also had allergies to eggs, tree nuts, and dairy, thankfully of which I completely grew out of. Hopefully, this won't affect me further. Thank you for your help!

 

[NeverSayNever]

Unfortunately, my levels have not gone down, but I am hoping immunotherapy will lower them to a point where I can safely complete an oral food challenge if necessary. I also had allergies to eggs, tree nuts, and dairy, thankfully of which I completely grew out of. Hopefully, this won't affect me further. Thank you for your help!

Be prepared to receive MULTIPLE DQs as history for each of those is individually disqualifying. You will need test results and possibly a food challenge for each allergy - and the allergist probably won't allow you to test them in a single sitting.

 

[Academician]

As @NeverSayNever noted, be prepared to address all aspects of your allergy -- collecting all of the details will be key. Determining if you will receive the waiver, unfortunately, is only apparent after you run through the entire application process. I advise that my students have back-up plans. That is, I recommend to all of my students to put together a Plan A - B - C. "A" is the SAs, Plan "B" is one or several ROTC scholarships, and then "C" is the set of civilian universities that you apply to as part of the ROTC application process. Best of luck with your journey!