Having a severe food allergy can have a huge impact on a teen's social life, even kissing can be fatal, yet many are reluctant to talk about it .
A new government funded website has now been launched to encourage teenagers and young adults with food allergies to start a conversation without embarrassment.
It's a conversation that could save a life, says Federal Assistant Minister for Health, Dr David Gillespie.
Immunologist Associate Professor Richard Loh said young adults, not toddlers, were the mostly likely to die from food-triggered anaphylactic reactions.
"They don't carry their EpiPen, they don't communicate, they don't want to be different," he said.
The new website operates just like an app and allows young people to develop their own avatar, or alter ego, they can use to discuss their experiences or ask questions.
There's also practical information to educate users on how to read labels and use an EpiPen.
"All the things they want to know about but they want to do it in their own space and not have parents or teachers at them about it," Maria Said, Co-chair of the National Allergy Strategy and CEO of Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia told AAP.
She says the website - www.250k.org.au - is a "hub of critical" information that could save lives.
"Increasing awareness around allergy management is vitally important, particularly amongst young people aged in their teens up to early twenties, when people may be reluctant to share information about their severe allergy, and may not be as vigilant about avoiding allergen," she said.
It's estimated 250,000 Australians aged between 12-25 years of age are at risk of having a severe allergic reaction.
According to Prof Loh, cows' milk was responsible for the last three food allergy-related deaths among teenagers/young adults in Australia.
"Milk is really hard to avoid and that is an issue," said Prof Loh.
"People have also had to give adrenaline from kissing," he said.
Prof Loh says the website is a great resource that will increase much needed awareness on food allergies among the young.
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