10 Tricks for Safe Treats

Tell those responsible about your child's allergies for class parties and for door-to-door visits Halloween night.
 
Read labels closely on all candy, including candy corn and hard candies. A different size could mean different ingredients; fun sized candy manufacturing practices or even third party repackaging can differ from your 'safe' regular sized treats. Always heed caution to any labels that state manufacturing practices risks such as, "may contain peanuts" or any other allergen.

Inspect all candy once you are home. Avoid eating any while going door-to-door to reduce a risk for a reaction.

Carry all of your meds, including an epipen in case your child still sneaks a treat while going door-to-door.

Keep others informed about emergency contacts and your food allergy action plan with teachers, school staff and school nurse if your child attends a classroom party.

 

Rainbow Loom bracelets are among the many food free treats to share for social events



Trade 'risky' candies. Keep a stash of your own safe goodies. My daughter used to swap candy that did not have labels or contained nuts with our non-food allergic children and friends on Halloween night. But, that could either sweeten or sour the deal.  

Reach out to organizations like http://www.treats4ourtroops.org/ and donate extra candies and allergy friendly treats. Check for local dentists who may swap candy for cash or toys. 

Educate those around you about the symptoms of anaphylaxis and how to use the epipen as a first line of defense against a severe food reaction.

Allow yourself and your child to have fun at parties. It is okay to nicely say 'no Thank you', bring or request allergen-free treats. You'd be surprised at how accommodating neighbors, teachers and others can be during social events. Then go home raid your own kitchen for goodies if you must.

Toy with activities and trinkets that are food free. Carving pumpkins, a treasure hunt; or trade loom bracelets; give stickers, tattoos, pens, personal cards ...any social interaction is good for your health and for your food allergic child's health.

Create activities that can promote inclusion for everyone, like pumpkin carving or a treasure hunt without food items

Food allergy walk peps up the spirit

This many people have food allergies? That was the first question my 8-year-old daughter asked as we walked up to the check in line at the 2013 FARE Walk (Food Allergy Research and Education) Baltimore held in Ellicott City, Md. A crowd of folks supporting others with food allergies was just the lift she needed. Lately she had been showing a bit of anxiety about her food allergies. It's been six years since her first diagnosis, but she still has her moments. And frankly, so do I.

I knew walking with her family and 500 others who all share the same food allergy concerns may help cheer her up. Her spirit lifted as we met others like her on the 2.3 mile path. We chatted with parents and kids alike who shared stories of when they first discovered a food reaction and their common allergies like peanuts. The walk was a breeze on a gorgeous Fall day. And the yummy food samples kept us going too.

The walk was a short distance to help raise funds for research; it is still a long road to help others understand the seriousness of food allergies. It can just take a simple bite of any of the common allergens - nuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, egg, milk, wheat and soy - to cause a life threatening reaction, known as anaphylaxis. There are other allergies not as common too, such as certain fruits. The only way to save a life from a food reaction is with an epipen (epinephrine). The only way to avoid a reaction is to avoid eating any foods with the allergen. But, the hope for a cure is not far distant. Much progress is underway through clinical trials and research.

You can support others with food allergies or meet others like you with food allergies during the upcoming FARE Walk in Rockville, Md on Sunday, October 5. The walk  helped cheer up my daughter.  She knows she is not alone, many do understand and we found some new products to add to the lunch box. Not bad for a walk in the park.

Food allergies, an emerging epidemic to be featured in Discovery Channel documentary

Avoiding certain foods to stay alive may sound extreme to some, but it has become a way of life for us.When my daughter was first diagnosed with food allergies and anaphylaxis near the age of two, she became a grown up.  Learning to tell others what she can’t eat, the foods to avoid, reading labels and understanding the importance of a lifesaving epipen, all seem way too much for a child to have to handle.  But we’ve handled managing food allergies for six years. This way of life is growing to become the norm for many families and individuals.

Set your DVR or watch The Discovery Channel’s new documentary: “An Emerging Epidemic: Food Allergies in America” on Saturday, September 7 or September 21 at 8 a.m. ET/PT and learn how a growing rate of individuals, especially children, are managing food allergies and research advances underway.

Here is a sneak peek: 

An Emerging Epidemic: Food Allergies in America preview from Discovery Channel CME on Vimeo.

Food Allergy and Research Education (FARE) worked with the Discovery Channel to produce the hour-long documentary, which is narrated by actor Steve Carell and features individuals managing food allergies, leading food allergy experts and highlights research progress for treatments.

Food allergies affect everyone

Without a known reason for cause or a cure, food allergies have changed the way we all live.  It has spurned research and changes in regulation, policy and operations across industries and settings. Among the many include the food, restaurant, and hospitality industries; and school settings to keep food allergic individuals protected and safe.

Every one of 13 children, about two kids in every classroom, is allergic to any of the common eight allergens: nuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, dairy, eggs, and soy, according to FARE. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report in May 2013 citing a rise with food and skin allergies among children. Between 1997 and 1999, food allergies affected about 3.4 percent of American children. By 2009 to 2011, that number rose to 5.1 percent.

Chances are you know someone who has a food allergy and that social circle of food allergic friends continues to grow through childhood, and even adulthood. Now it seems more of my friends are facing adult onset food allergies. But, it’s still a journey to get others to understand managing food allergies and taking food avoidance practices seriously. Tune in and join me on this journey to better understand how food allergies affect all of us. Stop an #EmergingEpidemic.

HAWMC Day 4 – Sharing Resources

When my daughter was first diagnosed with each of her conditions – asthma, allergies (food and environmental) and eczema, I searched for communities that could offer insight, support, advocacy and resources.  Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network – which is now known as Food Allergy and Research Education is the first organization I joined as a member and I attended their annual conference  in Baltimore, Md.  Food allergy conferences can be a good opportunity to meet like-minded advocates who share your journey and you get to learn about more resources, research updates and best practices.  The cooking demonstrations are an added bonus!

Other helpful links:  

Allergy Eats- a peer-reviewed directory of restaurants that help consumers identify (and review) restaurants that best meet their food allergy needs.  

Auvi-Q  and EpiPen – treats life-threatening allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)  for those at risk or have a history of these reactions.  Also check out the MyEpiPen app where profiles can be shared with caregivers.



    Learn how to use an epi-pen and share profiles about your allergies to caregivers   (Photo Courtesy: Dey Pharma) 



Kids with Food Allergies recently announced it will become a division of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Both organizations provide all levels of support, advocacy and individual services for those with allergy-related conditions.

Local resources in the Maryland, D.C. and Northern Virginia area:

One Dish Cuisine – chef/owner, Maureen Burke serves up safe foods free of allergens and gluten. With a personal understanding about celiac disease and autism, the local Ellicott City café serves food onsite and provides allergen free food to local hospitals and assisted living centers.

Loudoun Allergy Network   (Northern Virginia) provides advocacy and support for those managing food allergies and anaphylaxis, including school and social strategies.



#HAWMC Day 3 - Wordless Wednesday: Lifesaving Comfort



Like her teddy bear, allergy tools bring comfort, potentially lifesaving



Day 2 - Introduction to Allergies

Allergies (food or environmental), asthma and eczema are among the allergy related conditions that may be seasonal, lifelong or outgrown.  It is possible if you have one condition, there is a greater likelihood to develop others. But there are cases where it’s unrelated or just a singular event.

Here are five things you should know about allergy-related conditions:

·       Allergens stimulate your body’s immune response to whatever you touch, breathe, ingest from foods or drinks or from medication injections, causing your body to defend itself and overreact to substances, such as peanuts and pollens (allergens). Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a type of itchy rash that can flare up when exposed to triggers such as allergens, heat and dry skin. In the winter and summer months on the East Coast, I’m always on high alert for eczema. Watching a baby suffer with itchy skin, even when treated with hydrocortisone cream can make you feel helpless, but http://itchylittleworld.com/  offers good advice and resources to deal with eczema for your little ones.

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·       Allergies can trigger asthma, which is inflammation of the lungs and airway, making it difficult to breathe. Irritants for asthma can range from pollen, dust, and pollution to tobacco smoke and exercise. As soon as the spring season (pollen) and fall season arrives (ragweed) nears, keep the shelves stocked with antihistamines. It is especially helpful to track your local allergy forecast using the tools at www.pollen.com in order to manage your allergies and asthma during seasons with known triggers.  

·        Symptoms of an allergic reaction can cross the spectrum from itchy eyes, sneezing, coughing and wheezing to anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is an allergic symptoms that can affect different areas of body, causes difficulty breathing and can be fatal without the immediate administration of epinephrine (EpiPen). Food allergies are the most common cause of anaphylaxis, but other allergens can risk a anaphylactic reaction and it can be severe for those who have asthma. For those newly diagnosed with the risk of anaphylaxis, The Allergist Mom has an informative post that explains the science and symptoms behind anaphylaxis.

      You can now request a $0 co-pay EpiPen Card and save on your 2-pak prescription, visit www.epipen.com to learn more.

     

      

·        Schools are a high risk environment for food allergy reactions and one in 25 school-aged kids have food allergies according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For those who are newly diagnosed with food allergies and anaphylaxis, it may be helpful to have an Anaphylaxis Action Plan that has been reviewed and approved by your physician and accessible for anyone who cares for your child. Samples are available for download at AAAAI and FARE. 

 

·      Federal legislation was introduced in 2011 to allow schools to have stock epinephrine auto-injectors. Today, nearly two dozen states have introduced some form of School Access to Emergency Epinephrine legislation to save the lives of those who experience an anaphylactic reaction and for those who lack a prescribed EpiPen (epinephrine auto-injector) in their states, including my home state of Maryland. Support is still needed to urge passage of federal legislation. Visit Food Allergy and Research Education to learn more and write your representative and senator. 

          

About 46-76 percent of food allergy reactions happen in the classroom

·        The top eight allergens are eggs, milk, wheat, fish, shellfish, nuts, tree nuts and soy.  But there are other allergens such as fruits and vegetables.  Those with celiac disease are also at risk for food allergies and you can check out one person’s journey at http://celiacandallergyadventures.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/what-is-oral-allergy-syndrome/. When I find it difficult to manage my own daughter’s food allergies, I also visit http://allergicgirl.blogspot.com/ as a reminder there are ways to thrive with food allergies.

Day 1- Why I write about the allergy triad - allergies, asthma and eczema

As part of WEGO Health’s 2013 Health Activist Writer's Month Challenge, #HAWMC, I am going to take you on our journey over the next 30 days on how to deal and support those who fall within the allergy triad – or what I affectionately call the triple threat.

When I gave birth to my daughter, a passion to write and tweet @theallergymama about her health condition came to life. She developed eczema as a baby and around the age of two, we discovered she had food allergies. After her first bite of a fish flake she turned into a blowfish with swollen eyes and cried about itching. Not a good sign.  Then came spring and so did her wheezing. Welcome Asthma!

After she was seen by her pediatrician and allergist, we were educated about the allergy triad – allergies, asthma and eczema. Our daughter’s journey to live with the risk of anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction that can become fatal) and allergy-related conditions has driven me to become a health activist.  We’re managing asthma through every season, dealing with potentially life-threatening food allergies and eczema has recently become less of a problem.  I’m grateful my doctor warned me to about the ‘triad’ of allergy-related conditions. But, I never imagined it would be so life-changing. While no one can walk around in bubble and I would love to shield my daughter from every type of nut, seafood, grass and tree pollens – I cannot. But what I can do is help her on this journey by creating understanding about the seriousness of allergy-related conditions, managing it, and hopefully help others along the way. 

I am a newbie to #HAWMC, but not the health activist journey. I welcome you to join me on this journey and support others who deal with any allergy-related condition.