Kids & Allergies - Important questions to ask, facts and recommendations

All the above are scenarios that are becoming all too common in the present day. According to the Food Allergy &
Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), the incidence of food allergy has doubled in the U.S. over the last 10 years. FAAN estimates
that 1 in 25 adults, and 1 in 17 children under age 3 have a food allergy. It is estimated that there are 2,000
hospitalizations and 100-150 deaths related to food allergy yearly.

Even if you are not directly affected, you are probably at least certainly aware of the niece, child's friend from school, or
playgroup boy who has a food allergy. You may have even witnessed first hand how food allergies affect a family holiday
feast, playdate, or classroom party. Food allergies may affect a family's daily life in physical, social, emotional and
financial ways. Therefore, Innovative Parent dedicates some information on how to either navigate this increasing
challenge personally, or how to be aware and supportive of those in your life who are affected by Food Allergies.

First, the basics:

There are 8 foods that account for 90% of food allergies. They are the following: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts,
wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish.

It is important to understand that even trace amounts of a food allergen can cause a severe reaction. At this time, there
is no known cure for food allergies. Strict avoidance of the offending food(s) is the only way to stay safe.

Symptoms of food allergies can range from mild to severe. Symtpoms for the same person may vary even among different
exposures to the same foods. Food allergies may cause any or all of the following: skin irritations (rashes, hives, eczema,
swelling of extremities); gastrointestonal disturbances (nausea, diarrhea, vomiting); respiratory issues (sneezing, runny
nose, congestion, post-nasal drainage, itchy-watery eyes, even coughing or wheezing/asthma); and even life threatening
reactions called anaphylaxis which affects blood pressure and the ability to breathe.

If you suspect a food allergy:

It is essential to set up an appointment with a physician. Your pediatrician may be able to do some preliminary testing or
refer you to an allergist who specializes in children and allergies. An allergist will take a history of your child's current
health and reaction to the offending food(s), and probably proceed with tests involving blood draws or skin pricks.

Once a food allergy is confirmed:

Gaining Information on Food Allergies: Knowledge is key. Learn all you can about your child's food allergies and how
to keep them safe. Find groups to help you cope if needed. Joining a support group in your area is a great opportunity to
gain new information and ideas, and to be with people who "get it."

FAAN is an essential resource that provides education, advocacy, research and awareness. www.foodallergy.org
This site provides an overview of food allergies, offers products/resources essential to those with food allergies, highlights
tips, recipes and research, and give links to support groups or studies in your area. Some products worth checking out
include "How to Read a Label" card for each food allergy, medicine carriers, literature on specific allergy topics.

Some other great resources include:

aanma.org - Allergy & Asthma Network provides information on how to handle your child's needs and how to keep your
home free of allergens and irritants.

allergykids.com - An independently funded food allergy organization whose mission is to protect the health of kids with
food allergies. The site features products to identify kids with food allergies, as well as offering information on an
interesting perspective regarding the contribution of toxic overload to the increase in food allergies. The organization
highlights research on the genetic engineering or proteins, additives, dyes and toxins in our food and vaccine supplies
that seem to correlate with the increase in food allergies and other childhood epidemics such as asthma, ADHD and
autism.

allergymoms.com - Produces a free email newsletter with the latest allergy-friendly products, advice and information. The
site also features updated links to the latest food allergy related news, as well as an informative daily blog.

beyondapeanut.com - Offers peanut and tree nut allergy flash cards to help educate your child, family, child care
providers, etc. on the basics of peanut and tree nut allergy, bring awareness to food-related situations that may arise,
and instruct on how to keep safe.

godairyfree.org - An information resource for dairy-free living. Caters to milk allergies, lactose intolerance, vegan living,
and gluten-free diets. They offer tons of health information and useful tools. The site is updated daily with product
reviews, recipes, and food news. You can also sign up for a monthly e-newsletter.

kidsallergystop.com - Offers kid-friendly allergy relief products for allergic children. Products include safe food, gear,
personal care, home and laundry, toys, books, and even recipes. You can shop by allergen or brand. This is a helpful site
for finding out about suitable options that make allergies and eczema less difficult to live with.

statkids.com - Offers customized health ID products such as stickers, emergency cards, lunch bags, etc.

If your child has multiple food allergies that requires the avoidance of foods from several food groups (i.e. milk, soy,
nuts), seeking guidance from a nutritionist can be very beneficial to ensure adequate nutrition as well as to gain ideas
for appropriate nutrient substitutions.

The diagnosis of a food allergy suddenly changes the way a family functions. Grocery shopping and cooking, holidays and
birthday parties, eating out and traveling, all take on new risks and challenges. Planning becomes essential. Part of being
an innovative parent in dealing with food allergies is planning ahead for all situations.

Allergy-Aware Grocery Shopping: The first few shopping trips after the food allergy diagnosis, allow extra time to
scrutinize labels until you can find products/brands that seem to be reliable for your family. But ALWAYS read labels
because companies frequently change ingredients without notice. As noted previously, with food allergies, planning
becomes essential. Refering to tips in our ORGANIZATION section of the site may assist with general tips as well.

On the topic of reading labels, don't ignore the food label warnings noting such statements as, "manufactured in a
facility that uses peanut products" or "may contain wheat." A study by FAAN revealed that 7% of products tested really
did have levels of peanut that could cause severe reactions in people who are allergic. Moreover, there are 7 variations of
the "may contain" statements to choose from, and these may vary even among the same brands. ALWAYS read. Such
"may contain" statements, at this time, are not regulated, so if your child has SEVERE allergies, doctors inform it is best
to avoid such products altogether. When in doubt, call the 800# listed on the product.

In a store, if you don't see a product line that you know to be safe, ask the manager if they are willing to place a special
order. Especially if you are willing to place an order on a regular basis, most store managers will be willing to
accommodate such a request.

Some stores we love: Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Fruitful Yield. Online stores that are great include: vermontnutfree.com
(peanut and tree nut free chocolate), glutenfreemall.com (offers great brands such as Enjoy Life and many others),
allergygrocer.com.

Some brands we like: Cherrybrook Kitchens, Enjoy Life, Ener-G, Orgran, Health Valley, Namaste, Natural Ovens Breads,
Rudi's breads.

When cooking at home, especially if the food allergen will remain in the house for the other family members who are not
allergic, learning to avoid cross-contamination is essential. Many of the books referenced also speak to this matter.

Eating Out With Food Allergies: Managers at restaurants will be essential contacts for questions regarding meal
ingredients and cross-contamination during preparation. Also ask for 800 #'s of restaurant chains for information.

When eating out, it is helpful to see if the restaurant lists its menu and nutrition information online. If so, choose from a
few appetizing items and then phone ahead during "off peak hours." Be sure to ask for a manager. Explain your child's
allergies, and ask specific questions about ingredients included in specific menu items, how it's prepared (e.g. oil reused in
fryer, surface contamination - other allergens cooked on same grill, using same spatula, etc.). Don't take for granted that
your server will know such answers or understand food allergies at all. Always do your homework and plan ahead.

Many large fast-food chains now have complete menus online with nutritional information, allergen information, etc.

Some tips for keeping safe with food allergies at home, school, friend's and family's houses, and overall:
- Always carry meds. When your child is old enough, consider training them to self-administer their emergency
medicine.
- Always read labels. Even if it's a product you've bought in the past.
- Be prepared with "safe" food if necessary.
- Discuss your child's Food Allergies with people and explain cross contamination - especially childcare workers and
schools. Once people understand the seriousness of the matter, most will be accommodating. Have a food allergy
emergency action plan in place.
- Never miss a chance to provide education and awareness of food allergies to others.

Awareness and a cure for food allergies?:

Food allergies are a growing public health concern. Scientists don't know why the rate of food allergies has doubled in the
last decade. Many studies are being conducted to determine the cause and potential cures for food allergy. Awareness
and support of such studies is crucial. Families with and without food allergies may participate. Please refer to the
following site for more information: foodallergyproject.org