After building apps like JVH Puzzle and BeannThere, I'm embarking on something completely different, something closer to me than anything I've built before. For years, I've thought about this idea. I've doubted, paused, and restarted. But now it's real: I've started building AllergyReady, and I'm committing 100%.
A Long Time Coming
Back on April 3rd, 2013, I already tried to build something like this. I was just 15 years old at the time, full of ideas but without the knowledge to finish it.
My first attempt at building an allergy app in 2013, at age 15
Now, almost thirteen years later and at age 28, I finally made it happen! 💪
Why AllergyReady?
I've lived my entire life with a severe anaphylactic nut and peanut allergy. Not inconvenient. Not annoying. Life-threatening.
What is Anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to an allergen. For me, that allergen is nuts and peanuts. When someone with anaphylaxis comes into contact with their trigger, their immune system releases a flood of chemicals that can cause:
- Difficulty breathing: Swelling of the throat and airways, making it hard to breathe
- Drop in blood pressure: Leading to dizziness, fainting, or shock
- Skin reactions: Hives, itching, or flushed skin
- Gastrointestinal symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Rapid pulse: Heart rate increases as the body tries to compensate
Anaphylaxis requires immediate medical attention, typically with an epinephrine injection (EpiPen), followed by emergency medical care. Without prompt treatment, anaphylaxis can be fatal. This is why having allergy information instantly accessible in an emergency is so critical.
"Despite all our technology, allergy information and awareness are still far behind. Vague labels. Uncertainty in restaurants. People being denied flights. And most of all: a huge lack of understanding. This has to change. And I'm going to change it."
Every day, people with severe allergies face challenges that others can't imagine. We navigate a world filled with hidden dangers, where a simple mistake can have life-threatening consequences. The current state of allergy information is fragmented, unreliable, and often inaccessible when it matters most.
The Confirmation
Before diving into development, I wanted to validate that this wasn't just my personal frustration, that others faced the same challenges. I shared my idea in international allergy groups, and the response was overwhelming.
Messages poured in from all over the world, from people facing the same fears and frustrations. Everyone said: "We need this. Please build it." That was the push I needed.
Hearing from people across different countries, cultures, and languages confirmed what I already knew: this problem is universal. Whether you're dining out, traveling, or simply going about your day, having reliable allergy information accessible in an emergency is crucial.
Making the Mission Actionable
After sharing why I'm building AllergyReady, I've been hardcoding, testing, and building. Here is what the app is designed to do in real-life emergency situations:
Feature 01
Your Allergy Passport
Create your complete Allergy Passport directly in the app. This goes beyond a basic list and gives a complete profile with everything needed in an emergency.
Feature 02
QR Code Emergency Access
Generate a QR code containing your allergy information and place it on your lock screen via a widget, so it stays accessible when your phone is locked.
When someone scans your QR code, they instantly get:
- A clear overview of your allergies: No confusion, no guessing. Everything is presented clearly and concisely.
- A step-by-step action plan: Detailed instructions for anyone nearby to follow, ensuring the right response in a critical moment.
🔒
Privacy First
When someone scans your QR code, it opens a web page that reads the data from the QR code itself. Your allergy info is not stored on any website or server, it only exists in the QR. The page simply decodes and displays what's in the code, so your data stays with you.
More Than an App
This isn't just an app, it's a tool to make allergic reactions safer and easier to manage, in real time. It's about giving people with allergies the confidence to live their lives without constant fear. It's about ensuring that in a moment of crisis, the right information is available instantly.
"Building AllergyReady is intense, personal, and challenging, but knowing it could save lives and give peace of mind makes every line of code worth it."
What's Next
AllergyReady launched on the App Store on Monday, February 16th, 2026. That launch is a milestone, not the finish line.
The next phase is focused on practical improvements: faster emergency access, clearer allergy communication, and features shaped directly by real feedback from people who live with severe allergies every day.
I'm building this for the long term, step by step, with one goal: make allergy emergencies safer and easier to navigate for as many people as possible.