Mum makes 'Epicase' for daughter with 15 allergies

A mother who has designed a child-friendly "Epicase" for her daughter's medication hopes it will help "break the stigma" about allergies.

Lucy, 42, from Milton Keynes, said she designed it to make sure six-year-old Margo always carried her EpiPen, an auto adrenaline injection device (AAI) used to treat severe and life-threatening allergic reactions.

"I just want to make it [the case] something that kids want to carry and they want to be seen with and then hopefully that will continue into adulthood," she said.

Allergies had an impact on "every single element" of Margo's life, she added.

Margo, who also has eczema and asthma, is allergic to nuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish, chickpeas, lentils, sesame, soy protein, pea protein, kiwi, cherries, pumpkin, raw egg, dog dander [skin cells shed by dogs] and dust mites.

It means her family have to check everything she eats.

Lucy noticed an issue when Margo was about two months and it got worse when Margo weaned at six months.

After years of seeing different doctors, she was finally diagnosed with her allergies aged three.

In 2024, Margo had an "absolutely terrifying" anaphylaxi, a life-threatening allergic reaction.

Her mother said because Margo had her EpiPen and was able to use it straight away, it saved her life.

"It's only when you actually see an EpiPen in action and you see the life-saving impact of it that you realise how important it is," she added.

When Margo told her mother she did not want to carry a bag for her medication, Lucy looked to buy an age-appropriate one online, but could not find one.

As a former retail buyer, she decided to develop her own.

"I just wanted to remove that stigma and make it something that kids want to carry and they want to be seen with and then hopefully that will continue into adulthood.

"It really terrifies me that she could be without her EpiPens."

She said Margo was involved in the design of the case, which they wanted to look "inclusive" and less "medical".

Lucy said anything she makes from it will go towards private treatment for Margo to build up her tolerance using oral immunotherapy, where patients are gradually exposed to increasing amounts of allergens under medical supervision.

The charity Allergy UK said allergies affect up to 21m people in the UK and between 5% and 8% of children in the UK live with them.

A spokesperson said: "If you have been prescribed an AAI, make sure you carry it with you at all times.

"Do not rely on someone else picking it up for you, or there being one available.

"Age-appropriate education tailored to children on looking after their AAI is a positive way of teaching the importance of carrying one at all times."

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.