“The experience also opened my eyes to the power of medical care and the impact that compassionate healthcare providers can have. “

I am allergic to peanuts, but I eat peanuts every day.

That sentence sounds like a contradiction, but it perfectly describes my life after undergoing oral immunotherapy (OIT) for a severe peanut allergy. For as long as I can remember, peanuts weren’t just a food I avoided, but were a serious health risk. Even the smallest trace of peanuts, or cross-contamination with peanut residue, could trigger a dangerous allergic reaction. This made something as simple as eating at a restaurant, going to a friend’s house, or picking out a snack from a vending machine a stressful and sometimes scary experience.

Growing up with a peanut allergy meant constantly reading ingredient labels, asking about food preparation methods, and carrying an epi-pen everywhere I went. It wasn't just about avoiding peanuts, it was about avoiding any food that might have been processed near them. I couldn’t eat most baked goods from stores, had to decline birthday cake at parties, and I learned to be skeptical of anything I didn’t make myself.

But everything started to change when I began oral immunotherapy. OIT is a treatment that gradually desensitizes the immune system by introducing small, controlled amounts of the allergen over time. At the beginning, I started with an amount of peanuts so small I could barely see it. With careful monitoring by my doctors, I slowly increased the dose over the course of multiple months. I had to be extremely consistent and track my reactions closely every day. Eventually, I reached the maintenance dose, 8 peanuts a day.

Now, to keep the protection I’ve built up, I have to eat 8 peanuts every day after dinner. It’s a strange task considering I have spent most of my life avoiding peanuts, not just because of my allergy, but also because I can’t stand the taste. But this daily routine gives me something I didn’t have before: freedom. I can eat at restaurants with more confidence, try new foods without constant fear, and participate more fully in social situations that involve food. I still take precautions and carry an epi-pen everywhere I go, but OIT has changed the way I live with my allergy.

My journey with food allergies has taught me resilience, responsibility, and how science can reshape a person’s daily life. Going through oral immunotherapy gave me a sense of freedom I never thought was possible, even if it means eating something I dislike every day. The experience also opened my eyes to the power of medical care and the impact that compassionate healthcare providers can have. I now look forward to pursuing a career in nursing, where I can use my personal experiences to support and advocate for others facing health challenges of their own.

- Abigail