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.