Pistachio and Cashew Allergy

[NC Dad]

My son has his heart set on a career in the military and currently attends a Military Boarding School for high school. He would like to attend the Naval Academy, but knowing how tough it is to get accepted has also starting looking at the Corp of Cadets at Texas A&M. Since he was a kid he has had an allergy to cashews and pistachios - not peanuts. Nothing super serious, he has an epi-pen but has never used it and if he accidentally eats a cashew, he take a Benadryl and all is fine. His symptoms are just a tingling of the lips.

He is a junior and home for Thanksgiving, so we went to the allergist to talk about options. She stated that the allergy is still present and she feels he needs to carry the epi-pen and for that reason he may have difficulty in getting a waiver.

So the questions are - 1. Does he have a chance of getting a waiver for the Naval Academy. 2. If he goes to Texas A&M can he then be commissioned if he still has this allergy and finally 3. If he does end up in the service, will he be limited in the jobs he can do - he wants to be in the field, not in an office.

We are pretty new to this whole thing, so any help is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[justdoit19]

If you dump your question into the search bar at the top, you will find tons of past discussion about this.

Here is one to get you started.

Best wishes to your son. I admire his willingness to serve in our military!

Post in thread 'Son wants to go to a service academy but he has an epi-pen.'

Aug 18, 2024

It might be useful for your son to go to the DoDMERB website and work his way through the home page and every item on the left-side menu. Good FAQs. The link to the current DoD military medical instruction is there.

DoDMERB determines if applicants to their “client” programs meet the standard or not, (Q, DQ). Each commissioning source has a waiver authority. Waiver policies can vary, because you know mission, operating environment, gear and equipment vary.

Sea services in particular seem to be stringent on allergies and epi pens. Only the big decks usually have a Medical Officer...

• Devil Doc

• 

 

[Ihavenoidea]

There is always a chance at a waiver, but some waivers are much more difficult than others. Nut allergies can be alittle harder and often take more time. Look at the above mentioned post and search some more to get a idea what is needed. You don't say what year your DS is in high school. If he has a few years before he graduates, then you have more time to work on getting ready for the DoDMERB exam and follow up AMI that will be needed to get a waiver. Some have had success with a waiver with the allergy immune therapy but each case is different. Best to speak with his doctor about this.

Be aware that all commissioning sources (USNA, NROTC, OCS, etc) he will have to get a waiver for the peanut allergy.

 

[Twentyonine]

My son has his heart set on a career in the military and currently attends a Military Boarding School for high school. He would like to attend the Naval Academy, but knowing how tough it is to get accepted has also starting looking at the Corp of Cadets at Texas A&M. Since he was a kid he has had an allergy to cashews and pistachios - not peanuts. Nothing super serious, he has an epi-pen but has never used it and if he accidentally eats a cashew, he take a Benadryl and all is fine. His symptoms are just a tingling of the lips.

He is a junior and home for Thanksgiving, so we went to the allergist to talk about options. She stated that the allergy is still present and she feels he needs to carry the epi-pen and for that reason he may have difficulty in getting a waiver.

So the questions are - 1. Does he have a chance of getting a waiver for the Naval Academy. 2. If he goes to Texas A&M can he then be commissioned if he still has this allergy and finally 3. If he does end up in the service, will he be limited in the jobs he can do - he wants to be in the field, not in an office.

We are pretty new to this whole thing, so any help is appreciated.

Thanks

Your son has time from now until next year to apply for SA. I would initiate the OIT now and complete the food challenge by Spring 2025. I have peanut allergy with same symptoms like your son. I've received USAFA and USNA waiver after completed the OIT in 3 months and passed the food challenge. DQ is automatic with food allergy, but waiver is possible if OIT completed soon enough.

 

[Earl73]

Your son has time from now until next year to apply for SA. I would initiate the OIT now and complete the food challenge by Spring 2025. I have peanut allergy with same symptoms like your son. I've received USAFA and USNA waiver after completed the OIT in 3 months and passed the food challenge. DQ is automatic with food allergy, but waiver is possible if OIT completed soon enough.

Hello, My son is a junior with Peanut and tree nut allergy. We just met with the allergist to start OIT. She’s not familiar with the military waiver process but the allergist said OIT will take approximately a year and they don’t do food challenges. At the end of it. Wondering how you were able to do it so quickly and who administered the food challenge? Thanks!

 

[Twentyonine]

Hello, My son is a junior with Peanut and tree nut allergy. We just met with the allergist to start OIT. She’s not familiar with the military waiver process but the allergist said OIT will take approximately a year and they don’t do food challenges. At the end of it. Wondering how you were able to do it so quickly and who administered the food challenge? Thanks!

Hi, I'm in Southern California. I've called several clinics in and out of my area to ensure the particular allergy clinic has completed the OIT protocol for military candidates like myself including SA/ROTC/Enlisted. So, I found one 1.5 hrs drive from my home. The initial visit was 4 hour long including skin testing and going to the lab. Every Wednesday, with 1 hr treatment time, I've missed classes from 8A until 11A. Every week for 12 weeks, up dosing from 2ml to 4ml liquid (peanuts) and gradually to 8g of peanuts for another 2 weeks. Then, I completed the food challenge with peanut butter jelly sandwich. I made sure to have my Epi-Pen available at all times and eat a full breakfast before my OIT treatment. It all depends on the individual, I never had any severe allergic reactions throughout my OIT, just feeling a little squeezy in my stomach. My allergist came from the Army and he knows exactly how DODMERB works. I was lucky to receive my OIT in July because there were more than 200 candidates on the waiting list before me. I'm glad that you are initiating the OIT treatment early, Having a tree nut allergy is limiting me in every way. I should have completed the OIT in the summer of my junior year, so I don't miss classes. So, for your case, I suggest you consult several allergists in/out of your area and choose one like mine. It should not take a year to complete the OIT including the food challenge unless medications are required to counteract the allergic reactions that may occur during the course of OIT course, so it could take longer. Since October, I'm eating 10-12g of peanuts every day for maintenance without issues. Good luck to your son! I'm thankful for my Dad, who is my main motivator throughout this journey.

 

[Earl73]

Thank you… that’s very helpful! Good luck with your service!

 

[Screen199]

Hello! I just had my first session of OIT for peanuts and treenuts, I'm currently taking the liquid doses like Twentyonline mentioned. I spent months meeting with different allergists beforehand to find one that was willing to do OIT and help me pass the oral food challenge and I was very lucky to find one that would. I also made sure to clarify questions with DODMERB and waiver authorities as well as my own independent research so my allergist knew what to expect and what our goals were. Another note I would keep in mind is (at least for me) after each dose you have to wait a few hours before doing any physical activity, so plan your sessions accordingly. Blood tests and skin tests for me by itself took months, and I'm pretty sure you'll need to do a food challenge in order to get the waiver approved. Additionally I recommend making your application as strong as possible so the academy goes through with initiating the waiver process. Good luck with your case!