9-Year-Old Eats First Halloween Candy in Years After Allergy Treatment

Nine-year-old Maddie of Stoneham, Massachusetts, spent her childhood handing back Halloween treats she could not eat. This October, she holds a bag of candy she is allowed to keep. The change stems from a six to eight month course of therapy that allowed her immune system to tolerate dairy and eggs.

Maddie has lived with severe food allergies since infancy. Her family discovered the condition when she ate peanut butter and experienced facial swelling and difficulty breathing. Her allergies to pineapple, almonds, eggs, and milk previously ruled out most items in a trick-or-treat bag. Her mother, Gretchen Webber, described the family's experience since Maddie was one year old as a state of constant anxiety.

Maddie began working with Amy Rose, CEO of Allergy Release Technique, in late 2025. Rose, a board-certified nutrition and health coach, created the holistic program to treat food allergies. The regimen involves weekly half-hour appointments that focus on gut health using probiotics. It also uses tools based on emotional freedom technique to manage the fear of reactions.

The treatment reintroduced foods slowly. Maddie started by touching tiny pieces of food to her lip, then progressed to swallowing small amounts the following week. It took six to eight months to build up to dairy and eggs. Rose said Maddie is now eating both without restriction.

This year, Maddie can eat Hershey Kisses and KitKats. Rose noted that Maddie was excited to eat Twix. Tree nuts remain off the list, but Rose said Maddie is currently working on sesame. Rose projected that Maddie could be eating peanut butter cups by next Halloween.

Gretchen Webber said the family has enjoyed all their Halloweens, but the removal of anxiety and the end of holding Maddie back is wonderful. Last year, the family spent Halloween night sorting the candy pile for safe items. This year, Maddie has a simpler plan for her bag.

Maddie stated she no longer has to tell people she cannot eat their treats because of allergies. She declared that her candy haul is all hers. Rose said the program serves people of all ages, from toddlers to adults, with more information available at allergyart.com.