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The boy who is allergic to almost EVERY food
Last updated at 00:37am on 01.10.07
Tyler Savage: he is fed through a tube in his stomach
A boy of 12 suffers from so many allergies that he is able to eat only five foods.
Tyler Savage is violently ill every time he is given dishes containing dairy products or wheat, gluten, eggs, lactose and soya.
The sole foods he is allowed are chicken, carrots, grapes, potatoes and apples.
To help him survive, minerals and vitamins are pumped directly into his stomach through a tube.
Tyler started to fall ill at the age of six when even a morsel of food would leave him writhing in agony from sickness and diarrhoea.
His mother, Lynne Savage, 43, said: "We asked for help but kept being told that he was suffering from a stomach infection. As a result his weight dropped drastically.
"He ran out of energy really quickly and couldn't do the things other children were doing. He just seemed to be getting worse and worse.
"It's been a real struggle. We didn't know what to do."
Tyler - from Earls Colne in Essex - was seen by a paediatrician at Chelmsford's St John's Hospital and had his appendix removed in December 2005.
Although the operation was a success it failed to solve the problem and he was referred to Colchester General Hospital for further tests and treatment.
That shed no light on the mystery illness and in April last year Tyler was sent to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London for checks on his stomach and bowels.
The tests led to a diagnosis of eosinophilic enteropathy, a rare and condition in which the intestines produce too many white blood cells.
These act as a miniature immune system and attack food passing through the gut to the stomach.
The condition saw Tyler's weight drop to barely three stone.
"He was becoming malnourished," said Mrs Savage, a married mother-of-three and housewife.
At first, Tyler was fitted with a nose tube to help get food direct to his stomach, bypassing the rogue blood cells in his gut.
Then, this May, he had a tube inserted into his stomach allowing him to be fed for up to ten hours through the night.
"Even though this will continue for the foreseeable future, it is a godsend," said Mrs Savage.
"Last year he was only at school for about ten days, but in the first two weeks of this new term he's only missed one day.
"We've got a long way to go but at least we're now getting some answers."
In the day, Tyler, whose father, David, 60, is an engineer, can eat the five foods he is not allergic to.
Reader views (30)
My son was diagnosed with gluten sensitivity a few months ago. He is only 12 and suffered for years with asthma (which ended up being acid reflux getting into his lungs, hence never asthma), headaches, fatigue, constant stomach ache, diarrhea and constipation, irritability, hyperactivity, lack of concentration, mouth ulcers, styes, rashes on occasion, etc. He has been gluten free for over two months now but has not really improved. We did more testing and discovered he is also allergic to dairy, soy, eggs, corn, beef, tuna and cashews. I have cut all these out of his diet for nearly two weeks now but still no improvement. I am afraid that if I take him to an allergist he will be allergic to all other foods and he won't have anything left to eat. This is a horrible thing to have.
- Lee, Fla, 16/07/2011 21:43
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Your article is interesting and the fact that your son can eat only 5 foods really struck me. I can eat only 7 foods, and I have an allergic disease called mast cell activation disorder. My search for a diagnosis and help has been long, and needless to say frustrating beyond words. I am 51 now and had been trying to solve this health mystery since my mid-twenties. My first diagnosis of an allergic disease did not come until last March. I was diagnosed by an excellent allergist as having systemic mastocytosis. I did not do well on the medication and ended up going to the Mayo Clinic for further evaluation where I was given the diagnosis Mast Cell Activation Disorder. Systemic mastocytosis and mast cell activation disorder have the same symptoms. Common symptoms are gastrointestinal problems, skin rashes, and cognitive issues. Google Mastocytosis Society for good information on these mast cell conditions. Whatever the problem that your son is suffering from, I hope that something can be done to help him. It is bad for anyone to suffer like that, particularly a child.
Melanie
- Melanie, Vienna, VA, 28/12/2010 20:48
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I KNOW HIM, HE IS A LEGEND we go to school together! 
your awsome tyler! :P i miss you when ur not at skewl 
- Tyler Johnson, Essex, 08/02/2010 18:27
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I cry as I read this because I thought I was the only one in the world going through this. My son is allergic to everything. His diet has been changed to hypo this and that and he isn't even on the charts anymore at 11.5 years old. It was finally decided last week that he needs a G-tube. I'm excited and scared. But surviving on chicken, rice and carrots can't happen as it's not the right nutrition and we can't get 4000+ calories a day in him (he also has cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, eosinophillic esophigitus and colitus, crohns, ulcerative colitus, polyps, asthma severe food and drug allergies). I don't mean to sound like I am happy about other kids having this issue...but it is so nice to know that I am not the only one dealing with this.
- Tracy, San Antonio, TX. U.S.A., 30/11/2009 17:02
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My 3yo son, is also Allergic To All Foods. He showed his first sign of milk allergies hours after birth, then was given a Spinal Tap and stayed in the ICU for 4 days back in 2006. My son Howie has never had the common cold nor any viral infections. He was diagnosis with Celiac Disease,Periodic Fevers, Asthma, Eczema, Unexplain Seizures and what is called Multiple-Severe Life Threathening Food Allergies;because he is allergic to Milk,Egg,Gluten,Wheat,Shellfish,Peanut,Treenut,Beef,Chicken,Pork,Turkey,Lamb,Gelatin,Oats,Corn,Seseame,Mustard and garlic, of which most are airborne,Contact,and consumption. Howard eat rice,vac-pck Talaphia fish blk bean,quiona,onion,sea or kosher salt, blk pepper in order for him to eat those foods he must take daily Qvar inhalent,Xyzal for hives and they must be rotated. He is allergic to fruits and Vegs also. Before we founded out his allergies are also airborne, he use to freak out in supermarkets, and resturants he would just get so sick like emergency room sick. None of our family wants to keep him, most daycare rejected him but one, who will have him from 9am to 11:15am, I have to stay home with my child and can't get help because they stay our income is too high or if someone would keep him it is still hard because he is allergic to cats,dogs and coachroches, so apartment building is out of the question. My son teaches adults how to use an epi-pen and is so happy to start school he said mom I will have real friends that are not cousins.
- Phillipa Sheard, Mohegan Lake, New York, 17/08/2009 06:16
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I had lots of ear infections from <1yr old to the age of 11. When I avoided preservatives, artificial colours and flavours I was normal again. As an adult I later progressed to dairy, soy, nuts and gluten intolerances. Avoiding these gave me a clear head, no chronic fatigue, normal bowel movements, no arthritis symptoms and an active life once again.
Poor kid, he has it a lot worse than me.
- Amanda, brisbane, australia, 15/04/2009 00:06
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My son has this too, he has allergic enteropathy, food aversion, protracted diarrhoea, vomiting, bile reflux, the list goes on and on. He is allergic to gluten, wheat, soya, dairy, etc., etc. He's 3 years old.
- Haley, Fife, Scotland, 21/01/2008 14:06
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Don't give up hope! I really hope that a solution/cure can be found soon. God Bless You.
- Michelle, Wisconsin, U.S.A., 15/10/2007 19:39
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My son is 21 months. After I stopped breastfeeding (he was a year old) he began to get severe ear infections. We talked to a nutritionist and his pediatrician about alternatives to doing ear tubes. We took his formula away--and switched him to a dairy free diet. Ever since then he has not had an ear infection.
- Alexis, Lubbock, United States, 15/10/2007 19:03
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A 5 year old boy I know is allergic to dairy, poultry, soy, rice, all nuts, most fruits and veggies, eggs, lactose, yeast, wheat, and many other foods. It is very sad.
- Michelle, Port Washington, New York, U.S.A., 04/10/2007 22:52
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My brother suffers the same symptoms. He was diagnosed with Celiacs, a gluten intolerance. This led to allergies to corn and dairy products. He was put on a gluten free diet and is doing great now. It took two years and three trips to Shands to get disgnosed. Don't give up!
- Marc Oliver, Florida, USA, 04/10/2007 06:17
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I'm allergic to dairy, wheat, eggs, lactose, soy, peanuts AND yeast. I got this kid beat.
- Geordie, Vancouver, Canada, 04/10/2007 02:33
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Our family is dealing with this disease and it can be very difficult. Meeting others who know what we are going through is a huge help. American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders is making excellent progress in raising awareness for better research, diagnosis and treatment.
- Melinda, Georgia, USA, 04/10/2007 02:27
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Poor kid.
- Skippy, USA, 03/10/2007 20:05
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You think it would be any better in the states? He probably never would have been diagnosed. And he could have forgotten about ever getting health insurance in the future. It's best he lives in a country with nationalized healthcare.
- Paul, New York, USA, 03/10/2007 08:12
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Read again Matt, it took six years to diagnose him. Once that was done he was treated right away, as he had been during the previous years. At least his parents didn't have to put out coffee cans with his picture on it in the local stores to raise money for him. God Bless America, brightlights.
- John, Elmont, NY, 03/10/2007 04:10
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and it only cost him... oh, wait, nothing. Right.
- Josh, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, 03/10/2007 03:50
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Indeed Matt, in the States he just would have waited until his parents could come up with 60 or 70 thousand dollars.
- Lisa, London, Canada, 03/10/2007 03:29
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"The beauty of nationalized health care...it's only taken this poor boy 6 years, or half of his life, to get the treatment he's needed."
Yes, hes lucky enough to be able to get the treatment. Technology has advanced so that we can keep this boy alive. It may have taken a while, but Canada, America and parts of Europe are the only places where he could get treatment. Thank nationalized health care that he's alive, and not slowly dying.
- Alex, Canada, 03/10/2007 03:08
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Matt said:
"The beauty of nationalized health care...it's only taken this poor boy 6 years, or half of his life, to get the treatment he's needed."
Maybe, but at least it wasn't down to how much his parents could afford.
- Ian Johnson, Christchurch, New Zealand, 03/10/2007 03:06
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I have a daughter who at the age of 6 began getting allergic to various fruits and vegetables. She is now in her twenties and the list has grown quite a bit. Although she does not get all the symptoms Tyler does, she does get alarming reactions. Her recent comment was "Pretty soon I won't be able to eat anything." I am so thankful you printed this article because now she can ask the doctor to check her for this condition. It is a God send.
- Mary, Atlanta,GA, USA, 03/10/2007 02:59
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That really sucks, like he will never be able to go out with his friends and just be a kid, and I imagine he will really start to have those five foods he can eat.
- Melissa G, Brampton, Canada, 03/10/2007 02:53
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I have a daughter that is allergic to wheat, dairy, chicken, citrus, nuts, and eggs. While she is difficult to feed, when we focus on what she can eat and be a little creative- there is a lot that we can feed her. But more importantly, when people feel sorry for her, I always tell them we are thankful and celebrate that her allergies are not life threatening. We are not dealing with leukaemia or tumors; what are a few food allergies?
- Lea Ann Turner, Temple, Texas USA, 03/10/2007 02:52
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The poor little soul. And there is nothing that can be done? No treatment or medications that can reduce the reactions? You are in my prayers for a cure, little one. Bless you.
- Louise, Key West, Florida US, 03/10/2007 02:11
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Matt, Without any health care he might never had received treatment!
- Bob, Huntington Beach, CA, USA, 03/10/2007 00:33
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At least he can still eat chicken!
- Avogadro Torres, Argentina, 02/10/2007 23:27
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We too had a child at 4 years old that was allergic to casein (dairy), gluten, soy, corn, citrus, chocolate, and came back with a 3+ to 76 of 93 foods on an IGA food panel. Years of feeding her the right combinations resulted in her resolving most of the allergies/sensitivies. She is now 13 and can eat all but casein (dairy) and chocolate. Checking PH levels have been a huge help.
- Tracy Reed, Essex Junction, VT, 02/10/2007 19:29
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We have a 9 year old girl on my daughter's soccer team who is allergic to everything also-she can have only a limited amount of foods, and every time she goes to the allergist, she's allergic to something else!
- Soccer Mom, Maryland, 01/10/2007 15:54
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I imagine that this brave young man and his saintly parents would like to thank the person who invented this type of nutrition: Stanley Dudrick MD. I had two children on TPN.
- Soo Zen, USA, 01/10/2007 15:54
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The beauty of nationalized health care...it's only taken this poor boy 6 years, or half of his life, to get the treatment he's needed.
- Matt, Atlanta, GA, U.S.A, 01/10/2007 15:45
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