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Alyssa Bauder scheduled what she thought was a routine appointment with an allergist but received news that changed her life. While she still had a life-threatening allergy to peanuts, she no longer was allergic to tree nuts, fish, shellfish, or chickpeas—news that seemed almost too good to be true. Learn how she tackled 13 food challenges and worked with her therapist to manage food allergy-related anxiety with a strategy that led to wins like her first Starbucks at 24 years old and a lot of fun along the way.

Alyssa is thankful for the freedom she’s gained and is glad to still be a part of the food allergy community, one that she’s passionate about and plans to continue advocating for through both her platform and career. Join our Insta Live with Alyssa on Thursday, 9/29 at 12:15 PM CT/1:15 PM ET @spokininc on Instagram to hear more!

How did a routine allergy test change your life?

After graduating college and settling in Chicago, I wanted to find a local allergist to get updated IgE numbers and share the experience on my food allergy blog, All Things Allergies and my Instagram, @allthingsallergies. I’ve had life-threatening allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, and chickpeas for my whole life but after allergen component testing, I found out I was only allergic to peanuts.

What made you decide to get allergen component testing?

Spokin's founder, Susie, sent me a message on the Spokin app after I shared a review for Chicago Family Asthma + Allergy. I used the app to find a local allergist and saw great reviews for Dr. Katie Tanner at this practice. Susie asked me if I was getting component testing done and while I didn’t know much about it, when I heard how helpful it had been for her family, I asked and found out my allergist had already ordered it.

How has this experience affected your life?

It’s been amazing to try so many new restaurants and foods but the mental changes I’ve experienced are the best part. I feel so much less anxiety and everyone in my life tells me they see the difference. While I’m still keeping myself safe, my anxiety isn’t interfering in my everyday life anymore. Recently, I was even able to visit Pike Place Market in Seattle, an iconic seafood market known for how its vendors throw fish between stalls—definitely somewhere I wouldn’t have visited before this!

Tune in to our Q+A with Alyssa to hear about her component testing journey, food challenges, food allergy anxiety, and why she recommends component testing! Join us today, Thursday, 9/29 at 12:15 PM CT/1:15 PM ET on Instagram @spokininc.

Take our quiz to see if you're a candidate for component testing! Spoiler alert: if you manage allergies to peanut, most tree nuts, milk, egg, or soy, the answer is a resounding YES! And if you manage sesame or wheat allergies, good news: tests for those allergens are coming soon!

See our 101 guide series to learn more about Allergen Component Testing and Specific IgE Blood Based Allergy Testing. These guides were created in partnership with Allergy Insider, an education platform from Thermo Fisher Scientific who conducts the majority of allergy blood testing in the US and is considered the gold standard. Save the date for an episode of Allergy Insider's Ask the Insider Instagram Live series featuring Alyssa! Tune in on Thursday, 11/17 at 12 PM CT/1 PM ET @allergyinsider on Instagram.

Component Testing 101

IgE Testing 101

You should always take precautions and use appropriate judgment to protect yourself and others under your care with regard to food allergies. Spokin’s content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.

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