Hi! I’m a 26m and I’ve been struggling with food allergy related anxiety for about 5 years now. It all started when I had a sudden and severe allergic reaction to something (they suspected green tea or peanuts, both of which I ate daily my whole life). Since then I’ve been kind of a wreck mentally. I have a list of “safe” foods, but trying new things is terrifying.

This week I’m having allergy testing done. My doctor is highly regarded and I do trust his expertise. My issue is what I do with my results once the tests are done. How can I trust they are accurate? How can I place my life into the hands of these tests?

I realize that I’m at a pretty important juncture in my life, I can’t keep going the way I have, I’ve boxed myself in too much. But stepping outside of my comfort zone feels like I’ll be playing a very dangerous, and possibly deadly, game.

How have you gone about trusting food allergy testing results? How do you expand your circle of “safe” options? How do you eat out? How do you travel to foreign countries?

It’s just all so intimidating. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!