Everyday things can be stressful for someone with food allergies. New settings, ordering in a restaurant, and traveling on an airplane can cause anxiety to spike, especially when compounded by unexpected allergic reactions and uneducated comments from family and friends. Stress adds to the burden of trying to avoid your allergen(s). Dealing with this stress can lead to anxiety, isolation, and depression. Finding support from others who live with food allergies can be one way to manage that stress.

On MyFoodAllergyTeam, the social network and online support group for those living with food allergy, members talk about a range of personal experiences and struggles. Stress is one of the top 10 topics most discussed.

Here are a few question-and-answer threads about stress:

• Finding a Job with Allergies?

• Does anyone notice a connection to high levels of stress and an allergic reaction?

• Anyone else with a citrus fruit allergy?

Here are conversations that have taken place about stress:

• I was a stressed out mom unsure why my baby's throat was closing.

• I hate that I'm always so emotional about the constant stress of food.

• Finally got an added stressor dealt with, after days of much gnashing of teeth.

Have another topic you'd like to discuss or explore? Go to MyFoodAllergyTeam today and start the conversation. You'll be surprised just how many others may share similar stories.

Feel free to ask a question here.