Help Micah Overcome Severe Food Allergies

Hello! My name is Nicole. My husband and I are parents to a 10-month-old boy named Micah. From day one, he's been such a happy little guy with a smile that makes everyone else around him smile too. He even had big smiles for the EMTs and nursing staff when he had to be taken to the Children’s hospital for a severe allergic reaction to eggs.

I'd made pancakes for him and his 3-year-old sister that morning without even thinking about allergies or a potential reaction. The pancakes only had flour, egg, and banana. He had eaten all the foods already…except egg. Within minutes, hives broke out around his mouth, then covered his entire body. It all happened so quickly. When he began to vomit and act lethargic, I immediately called 911.

We have since confirmed that Micah is also allergic to peanuts, with a high risk of having an anaphylactic reaction. His allergist explained that the proteins in egg are very similar to the proteins found in peanut. When someone is allergic to one, then they are often allergic to the other. So when giving him peanut butter for the first time, I made sure to give him a small bite from the tip of a baby spoon. My heart sank when his lip began to swell. The swelling went down after 15 minutes, but it would have certainly been another ER visit if he had ingested more.

Micah is being seen at one of the top allergy clinics in Minnesota and the head doctor there is an expert in a food allergy treatment called Oral Immuno Therapy (OIT). “Oral immunotherapy (OIT) refers to feeding an allergic individual an increasing amount of an allergen with the goal of increasing the threshold that triggers a reaction. For example, a person allergic to peanuts may be given very small amounts of peanut protein that would not trigger a reaction. This small amount is gradually increased in the allergist’s office or clinical research setting over a period of months. The goal of therapy is to raise the threshold that may trigger a reaction and provide the allergic individual protection against accidental ingestion of the allergen.” (Taken from the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology)

His first OIT appointment is coming up on July 12th. This appointment will be the longest to determine his threshold. Then he will be seen once a week for the next 6-8 months. Ian and I are encouraged that there is an 80-90% success rate for kids reaching maintenance level.

After Micah graduates from the program, we will be able to add eggs and peanuts to his diet and he will be on a daily maintenance dose for continued exposure. We won’t have to live in fear of an allergic reaction due to accidental ingestion in the nursery or a friend’s house and other public places. All Micah wants for Christmas is a peanut butter cookie!

Unfortunately, our insurance does not cover OIT. The program will cost us $5,000 out of pocket. It will be worth every penny, but out of reach for us. Your donation will be much appreciated in helping us give Micah an allergy-fear free life. And a peanut butter cookie!