Food Allergy Awareness

Let’s assess your food allergy knowledge with a pop quiz:

• There is a difference between food allergy and food intolerance. (True or False)
• Food allergies are considered a disability. (True or False)
• Most children outgrow their food allergies. (True or False)
• What are some signs of an allergic reaction?
• What are some of the most common food allergies?

Quiz Answers:

• True – Food allergy means your immune system reacts negatively to certain food proteins; intolerance is a gastro-intestinal response, meaning you have difficulty digesting a certain food(s).
• True – When a licensed doctor states that certain food(s) may cause a severe, life-threatening (anaphylactic) reaction, the condition is considered a disability.
• True. Nearly 80% outgrow allergies to milk, eggs, wheat, dairy and soy by age 5; however, shellfish and peanut (not tree nuts) are usually lifetime allergies. There are an estimated 12 million Americans with food allergies.
• Difficulty breathing, coughing, stomach pain, skin rash, swelling lips/throat are some signs of an allergic reaction. This person needs immediate medical attention.
• Peanut, tree nuts, shellfish, eggs, and fish are the most common food allergies; milk allergies are more common among children.

Respect Every Bite: Food Allergy Awareness

Food Allergy Awareness Week is May 9-15, 2010, a perfect opportunity to review what you know and learn something new about food allergies. Sponsored by the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN, www.FoodAllergy.org), the observance is one of many resources available to help families manage food allergies. Whether or not this directly affects your family, it’s important to know the facts about food allergies and the signs of a reaction; it could save someone’s life. The number of children with food allergies has increased 18 percent since 1997, making it critical that parents are aware of this issue.

Why every bite?

“Respect Every Bite” spotlights an everyday concern for those with food allergies. Many well-meaning people often assume it is safe to remove the offending food or ingredient before eating. But someone who is allergic cannot eat any portion of certain foods, or even have food prepared in the same pans containing ingredients to which they are allergic. Eating one bite can cause a life threatening reaction. However, someone who is intolerant may be able to eat small amounts of certain foods. “Respect Every Bite” reminds us that we must know how our food is prepared and which ingredients are contained in each item. This means that food allergic people (or those who cook for them) must read every food’s label to ensure that every bite will be safe. This is particularly important when eating away from home. Besides emergency medications, many people carry laminated cards with lists of foods that must be avoided. These are handy to give to restaurant staff to make sure that your food does not contain anything that may cause a reaction. However, don’t assume your food is safe. Double check with the manager and the chef/cook to make sure they understand your needs.

How do you know you’re allergic?

Often, there is not a simple answer to this question. Although I knew my son could not tolerate milk-based formulas, when I started feeding him some solid foods, I began to notice red splotches on his face. Sometimes when I kissed him after feeding him breakfast--while I was eating a bowl of cereal with milk--I would notice the red splotches. I suspected he was allergic to more than dairy, so I had him tested at the Children’s Mercy Hospital Allergy Clinic. His allergies were confirmed by skin tests that involve placing small amounts of foods and other allergens on your back or arms and by pricking the skin to allow the substance to get beneath the skin’s surface. The size of any red or swollen spots is used to gauge the severity of the allergy. This can be very uncomfortable because the skin will swell and itch as the immune system reacts to the tests. So be prepared to distract your child while waiting 30 minutes or more for the test to be completed.

Another way to confirm allergies is through blood tests that identify the level of antibodies one makes to a particular food. This test can predict whether a person may have a reaction to a food but is not always reliable.

Allergy testing is not an exact science. There are many false positives and negatives, so it’s helpful to do both skin and blood tests and to document any reactions and possible causes to give the allergist a summary of your child’s experiences. It is also important to work with a board-certified allergist so that you can obtain the most accurate information possible. After all, you won’t want to unnecessarily eliminate foods or other allergens (e.g., dog or cat dander) from your child’s life.

Living with allergies

Yes, a food allergy diagnosis can be overwhelming at first. I know I was overwhelmed when my son’s allergies to dairy, eggs and nuts were confirmed! But there is life with allergies! You can eat out at restaurants and travel on airplanes! Your child can go to school and enjoy play dates. You just have to be prepared and diligent – I’ve become known at home as the “knife czar.” Living with allergies requires a lot of educating – yourself, your child(ren), teachers, coaches, extended family and friends and anyone else with whom your child comes into contact. Many restaurants are posting their menus with allergy information online, so you can find out what to order before you even leave home. There are many ways to ensure that every bite is safe for your food allergic child. (See the resource box for additional help.)

Be in the Know:

Perhaps the best place to start an allergy education is with the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), www.FoodAllergy.org. Their resources include the restaurant cards, recipes, grocery shopping tips, Epi-Pen training materials, as well as advocacy and support groups. You’ll also find information on air travel, daycare and camp considerations, and a sample Food Allergy Action Plan.

The Kansas City Allergy and Asthma website has helpful information on many types of allergies. Visit www.KCAllergy.com

Children’s Mercy Hospital’s Allergy Clinic has useful information posted on its website at www.ChildrensMercy.org. Resources include children’s books and adult cookbooks.

Allergy-free foods are widely available at many area grocery stores, but specialty items can be ordered online as such web sites as: www.divvies.com (candy, chocolate, popcorn), www.Amazon.com, www.GlutenFreeMall.com, www.AllergyFreeFoods.com, and www.AllergyGrocer.com.

Kathy Stump lives in Parkville with her family.