Contact your representative today in support of the FASTER Act, a bill to improve labeling of foods for people with food allergies.
USDA Updates Dietary Guidelines to Include Introduction of Food Allergens
Updated USDA Dietary Guidelines recommend introduction of potential food allergens to children in the first year of life.
Ask the Allergist: Infant Anaphylaxis and Food Allergies
Dr. Michael Pistner explains how to recognize the symptoms of a severe food allergy reaction in infants and toddlers.
5 Ways a Pharmacist Can Help People with Allergies and Asthma
Learn how a pharmacist can be an important part of your healthcare team, from improving access to drugs and finding ways to lower costs.
Navigating the Holidays with COVID-19, Asthma and Allergies
What you need to know about COVID-19 risk, asthma and allergies if you host or visit relatives during the holidays.
Sesame Allergy and Food Labels
Learn about sesame allergy – how common it is; what are the signs and symptoms; how to read a label for sesame; and a current labeling update.
Airline Asthma and Allergy Policies – Can You Fly Safely?
Learn how major airlines are accommodating travelers with asthma and allergies. Also, find strategies you can use to minimize risk and maximize safety while traveling.
Happy Haunting: How to Stay Safe on Halloween During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Learn how you can minimize risk and maximize safety at Halloween when you have a child with a food allergy, asthma or latex allergy.
Why Getting the Flu Shot Is Critical for People with Asthma During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Learn why, if you have asthma, getting your flu shot is especially important for the 2020-21 flu season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thomas Silvera Discusses His Son Elijah’s Legacy After Tragic Food Allergy Death
Elijah passed away after he had an anaphylactic reaction to a grilled cheese at his daycare. Elijah’s family now advocates for better training in daycares
Disparities in Food Allergy – Racial, Ethnic & Socioeconomic Considerations
Join us on Sept. 24 when Dr. Ruchi Gupta will discuss racial/ethnic differences in food allergy prevalence, outcomes, care and management.
Back to School with Allergies and Asthma – COVID-19 Edition
Learn how to prepare students with allergies and asthma for school, with the latest information regarding COVID-19 issues for schools and students.
All About
Food allergies affect 32 million people in the United States, including 13% of children. They occur when the body’s immune system perceives a threat from proteins in food and overreacts to neutralize it. If you have a family history of food allergies, asthma, eczema or pollen allergies, you may be at higher risk for developing food allergy. Food allergies should not be confused with intolerance to food; food allergies can be life-threatening. The most common food allergens are peanut, milk, egg, tree nuts, wheat, soy, sesame, fish and shellfish.
Food allergies require vigilance, especially for children. Small children need careful supervision as they are likely to put any food or object into their mouth; even food left out for a pet can have allergens like dairy, wheat, soy, peanuts, egg or shellfish. Children with severe allergies need to have an emergency plan in place for daycare, school and friends’ homes. Medication and permission forms to administer it, prescriptions, and meetings to discuss accommodations and care should be in place anywhere children are out of their parents’ care.
Up to 30% of eczema patients will develop reactions to certain foods, including gastrointestinal distress, respiratory symptoms like wheezing, difficulty breathing or anaphylaxis, or skin reactions like itching, swelling, and hives. Sometimes eliminating foods from a patient’s diet can improve eczema symptoms, so working with an allergist is key. Skin tests, blood tests and oral food challenges can help identify food allergens. Immunotherapy is emerging as a treatment option for certain food allergens.
People with food allergies need to use caution when dining out. Even getting coffee can pose a risk of cross-contamination with milk and its alternatives. Keeping your order as simple as possible and communicating about the risks you face are all key. Personal “chef cards” that list allergens and severity of reactions, and the need for vigilance in the kitchen to avoid cross-contamination, are recommended when dining out. Chef cards provide the staff with a visual cue to remember the information and avoid potentially fatal mistakes.