A woman has gone viral for sharing her remarkably unique life with severe allergies, meaning her diet consists of just two foods.
Caroline Cray (@carolinecray2), 25, has captured the internet’s attention for her extraordinarily rare experience of living with severe food allergies, culminating in a life-altering diagnosis of mast cell activation disorder (MCAS) in her first year at the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts.
“It was really, really hard at first. In the U.S., people often describe their four years at university as the best of their lives. I thought I’d meet my spouse, make lifelong friends, and go to parties. I came in as a rower, recruited as a D1 athlete, and I was in the best shape of my life. My mom even went to the same university, just an hour away from my hometown, and I’d always heard about how those were the formative years of her life.
“It was super disappointing and depressing to watch everyone else living their lives, dealing with problems as simple as a boy not liking them back or getting a tough paper assignment. Meanwhile, I was feeling like a stranger in my own body.
Caroline Cray/Caroline Cray
“I’d get a really tight throat, itchy skin, my lungs would feel tight, and my oxygen levels were low. My immediate concern was always what was happening inside my own body,” she told Newsweek.
Now, her diet consists solely of oatmeal and hypoallergenic baby formula, yet she maintains a vibrant and fulfilling life. Cray, who shares her story on TikTok under the handle @carolinecray2, went viral for revealing the unique ways she navigates everyday activities, such as dining out with friends or even something as simple as ordering water at a bar, which she has to be meticulous about.
Cray’s journey began when she was 18. Growing up, she had already struggled with food allergies to nuts, sesame, mustard and seafood. But her life changed forever one fateful day during her first week at university. While enjoying an ice cream sandwich from a shop she’d visited before, she suffered an anaphylactic shock that required immediate hospitalization.
Caroline Cray/Caroline Cray
Cray recalled how the experience unfolded. Though she managed the incident with an EpiPen, her body didn’t fully recover. Instead, the allergic reaction triggered MCAS—a rare and complex condition in which the body’s mast cells become hyperactive, perceiving numerous substances as allergens. As a result, she became allergic to nearly everything.
Dr. Kara Wada, an allergist and immunologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, told Newsweek that Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a complex condition in which the body’s mast cells become overly sensitive, releasing excessive amounts of histamine and other inflammatory chemicals.
Though often linked to allergies, mast cells act as the body’s immune “border guards” and can be triggered by non-allergic mechanisms that are not fully understood. Symptoms vary widely and can include hives, gastrointestinal issues, flushing, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis.
Managing MCAS typically requires a combination of medications and lifestyle changes to stabilize mast cells and avoid triggers.
“Living with MCAS can be challenging and often creates significant fear and anxiety. It’s crucial for patients to find a knowledgeable and supportive healthcare team they can partner with to navigate this complex condition,” she explained.
For Cray, this meant her body was suddenly on high alert, leading to five hospitalizations during her first year of university. “I was in and out of doctors a lot,” she shares, explaining how isolating her experience became.
Caroline Cray/Caroline Cray
In May 2018, she finally saw a mast cell specialist in Boston and received an official diagnosis. With the help of medication, she gradually reintroduced certain foods into her diet, like fruits, vegetables, and meats.
However, her progress was short-lived. After a cross-contamination incident in 2019, Cray went into anaphylaxis again and could only tolerate oatmeal. She spent time in and out of the ICU, facing the possibility of needing a feeding tube. Fortunately, she found that hypoallergenic baby formula was a safe option for her body, and this discovery was life-changing. “I was borderline malnourished, but the formula helped me regain control,” Cray recalls.
Despite these severe restrictions, Cray’s resilience shines through in her social media presence, where she documents her life with MCAS. One viral TikTok video with 299,500 likes showcases her experience at restaurants.
In the video, she said to the server: “I’m an easy one. I actually have a bunch of food allergies so I brought my own food, if that’s okay, and then I’ll just have that when everybody else is eating, thank you.”
She then revealed her pre-made oat waffles and formula syrup.
She also explains to servers that she has numerous allergies due to an immune disease. “I’ve never been met with resistance,” she said, noting that she always tips to feel part of the experience and takes care to avoid shared utensils and surfaces. “When we get there, nobody minds if I’m not eating, but I do have severe airborne allergies too—especially to peanuts, sesame, and mustard—which makes it tricky.”
Cray’s precautions extend beyond food. She hasn’t traveled by plane in five years due to her deadly allergies to dogs and cats. “Planes are enclosed spaces, and I’ve tried contacting airlines, but every airline in the U.S. distributes nuts, and they can’t eliminate the risk of debris or residue,” she shares. Hotels pose a similar danger because pet dander lingers long after cleaning. “It’s just not worth the risk for me,” Cray explains.
In a video that garnered 7.4 million views and 550,300 likes on TikTok she shared how she orders drinks in a bar, she can only drink water and only certain brands. She even opts to drink straight from the bottle due to the contamination risk of using a container touched by others.
“This is what I do when I’m out on the town, and everyone else is ordering drinks,” she shared at the bar.
“So they gave me a very big bottle,” she then shared the disposable cup the server provided. “Even though this is disposable, I don’t know, I can’t trust the fact somebody’s fingers with my allergens didn’t touch the rim,” she explained.
She and her partner then carefully toasted to their three-month anniversary.
Though her journey has been filled with challenges, Cray found solace in a supportive online community of women dealing with similar health struggles. She also serendipitously met her boyfriend on a ferry. “He’d seen my TikToks before and already knew about my situation,” she says, marveling at how accommodating he has been. “He doesn’t eat anything I’m allergic to for 24 hours before we kiss, and he never drinks around me. I’m lucky to have found someone like him.”
Cray’s optimism and gratitude are central to her ability to thrive despite her condition. Diagnosed with depression early in her illness, she emphasizes how much her mental health is tied to her physical health. “Bad symptom days used to lead to negative self-talk: ‘Why me?’ and ‘I hate this.’ But I’ve learned that happiness is a choice once you’re at peace with your circumstances.”
Cray now practices mindfulness and focuses on what her body can do. “I’m not on a feeding tube, my brain works, and my eyes work. I live at home, and my parents aren’t charging me rent. Gratitude has been instrumental in getting me through.”
Today, Cray works full-time as a healthcare recruiter and continues to inspire others through her social media platforms. She posts about her journey with MCAS not just to raise awareness but also to connect with those who feel as isolated as she once did.
“I have mcas too! It’s a crazy life I haven’t eaten or drinken out since 2022. This is a way to be somewhat included. We got this !,” commented a fellow sufferer on her TikTok about ordering at a bar.
“Girl, I do the same. So glad I found you on TT. Thanks for sharing your mcas adventures,” said Magaly Martin.
