Managing Food Allergies in Teens (Ages 12-18)
Welcome to the latest episode of the Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Innovations podcast. This is part five of our Food Allergy Ages & Stages series. This episode examines how to manage food allergies in tweens and teens, from ages 12 to 18.
This episode is made in partnership with The Itch Podcast. Co-hosts Payel Gupta, MD, and Kortney are joined by Travis Miller, MD, to talk about how allergy care changes during the teen years. Teens become more independent and start to make their own choices. They go to school, parties, and on dates. Some of these situations can be risky for teens with food allergies. This episode explains how parents, doctors, and teens can work together to stay safe and build confidence.
You can listen to the podcast on ItchPodcast.com or download it for listening anytime, anywhere, at:
Special thanks to Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, and Aquestive for sponsoring this podcast episode. All opinions are our own, and sponsorship does not influence content or editorial decisions. Any mention of brands is informational and not an endorsement.
How to help teenagers with food allergies
Teens want more freedom and that often means they take more risks. That’s why it’s so important to keep talking about food allergies. As they start to spend more time away from home, they need to know how to stay safe, speak up, and make good choices. This podcast episode shares ways to help teens take charge of their safety while still feeling supported by parents and caregivers.
You will learn how to build trust with your teen. Talk about epinephrine treatment for anaphylaxis and risky behaviors like drinking or dating. We also cover how to recognize signs of stress, fear or bullying, and how to support their confidence and mental health through the ups and downs of adolescence.
Key takeaways for parents of teens with food allergies
This episode shares ways to help teens take charge of their safety while still feeling supported.
- Trust is key. Teens are more likely to stay safe when they feel involved in their food allergy management.
- Help them become independent. Teach skills like grocery shopping and label reading.
- Talk about risk. Alcohol, dating, and peer pressure can be dangerous with food allergies.
- Watch for bullying. Ask how they’re doing and who they can talk to.
- Support their mental health. Food allergies can impact confidence. This is why it is key to keep the conversation open.
Timestamps for podcast on teenagers with food allergies
01:49 – Why it can be harder to manage food allergies in teens
03:24 – How allergists help teens understand food allergies
06:11 – How parents can talk about food allergies without scaring teens
10:52 – When teens should start managing their food allergies
13:58 – Why teens take more risks with food allergies
16:37 – Bullying and food allergies, what to watch for
19:51 – Talking about dating, alcohol, and kissing
29:21 – Helping teens with self-esteem, stress, and anxiety
Resources for food allergy management in children and teens
- Food Allergy Overview
- Food Allergy Treatment & Management
- Living with Food Allergies Guide
- Epinephrine Devices: Nasal vs. Injectable
- Mental Health and Living with Food Allergies
- Dating With Food Allergies: What You Need to Know
More episodes in the Ages & Stages Series
- Early Introduction of Food Allergens
- Food Allergy Basics for All Ages
- Managing Food Allergies from Baby to Preschool (Ages 0–5)
- Managing Food Allergies in Children (Ages 5-11)
AAAAI Ages & Stages PDFs
