People that just "don't get" food allergies?

Yes it really drives me crazy how some people just don't understand or care to understand. My son is severely allergic to nuts and eggs. I used to work at the daycare that I took him to and they would constantly put things like peanut butter sandwiches or cookies and cakes in front of him. At the time he was only 2 so he didn't understand that what they were giving him could kill him. They would always apologize after I took the food away and wiped down the table but it never changed in all the time I worked there. Some people think I am way overprotective and others think I am not protective enough. I just can't win! One thing that I always find funny though is when family comes over to our house and asks why we don't have eggs or peanut butter in the house - I just tell them to think about it!

This is true of almost any chronic ailment... insensitive and ignorant people, that do not suffer with your particular ailment will insist that is just all in your head, or some such nonsense. Get used to it dear, it's a world wide phenomenon.

We have multiple food allergies in the house. Two of us have had anaphylactic reactions. Even after seeing my son in the hospital tied to tubes and machines, there are still have family members who think we are exaggerating it. These are the same people who have "tested" my allergies by slipping in one of my allergens (thankfully not my ana one) into foods that usually don't contain that ingredient. We no longer eat any meals they prepare. If we must visit we either take our food or pick up something safe. If they visit, they are not allowed to help in my kitchen. I feel your pain. It is sad but some people refuse to get it until they have to deal with it firsthand.

I find that people are even worse about getting it if you are allergic to a food that is not a common allergen. Most people have heard of nut allergies, but few have heard of a poultry allergy. Fortunately, poultry does not give me anaphylaxis, but it makes me very sick for three days. At least I have not had any problems about people trying to sneak it into my food. I did have a problem once in a grocery store where they had free samples. --The lady giving out the sample of hot dog assured me that it did not contain chicken or turkey. I was still uncertain and fished the empty package out of the trash can. It had chicken in it! :( I still wonder if I should have turned her in to her supervisor. I do wonder sometimes if people think I am just picky when I ask if something contains poultry.