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Food Allergy

  • A woman with gray hair sits at a dining table, looking thoughtfully out the window. There are plates of salad and a bowl in front of her. A glass of water is on the table, and sunlight filters through the window blinds.

    Why Chef Cards are Important for People With Food Allergies

    Find out about the benefits of using a chef card to dine out with food allergies, and download a template to print and use.

  • A woman sits at a kitchen counter with her hand on her head, looking tired. She is next to two toddlers, one playing with a red toy and the other holding food. The background includes colorful drawings and kitchen items.

    Babysitters, Playdates and Food Allergies: A Matter of Trust

    Information you can use to educate and build trust with babysitters, caregivers and parents hosting playdates when you have a child with food allergies.

  • A young person in a scouting uniform reads a book to four children seated on the grass near a tree. A stone bench nearby holds various product boxes. The scene is set outdoors on a sunny day.

    Girl Scout Authors Food Allergy Coloring Book

    Learn how a girl scout has used her personal experience with food allergies to author a food allergy coloring book for children.

  • A green wristband with "Latex Allergy" written on it is placed on top of a medical form. The form has checkboxes and text related to medical conditions and inquiries.

    Ask the Allergist: Latex Allergy and Cross-Reactivity

    Dr. Sandra Gawchuk answers the Ask the Allergist question: What do patients with latex allergy need to know about cross-reactivity with fruits & vegetables?

  • A young boy in a white shirt stares anxiously at a plate of spaghetti with tomato sauce, worried about possible food allergies. He sits at a glass table with a glass of water nearby, set against a plain gray background.

    Living with Food Allergies at Age 10 — And Overcoming Anxiety

    Learn more about 10-year old Austin who created “My Food Allergy Book” as a way to help himself understand his feelings about having a…

  • Image of a refrigerator shelf containing eggs, a red bell pepper, beverages, and fruits. The text "Ask the Allergist" is prominently displayed over the image.

    Ask the Allergist: Eating Out with Food Allergies

    Dr. Michael Pistiner answers the Ask the Allergist question: What are some tips for people with food allergies to stay safe when eating out…

  • A close-up of several unshelled peanuts grouped together. The textured brown shells are visible, showcasing their organic, rough surface. The image highlights the natural appearance of the peanuts in detail.

    Joint Statement on Peanut Allergy Therapy Review

    The Network joins other patient organizations to urge ICER to consider patient needs when determining the value of emerging treatments for peanut allergy.

  • Five people are joyfully jumping in the air on a grassy hill against a clear blue sky. They are facing away from the camera, dressed in casual summer clothes, and their arms are raised high. The scene conveys a sense of freedom and happiness.

    Amusement Parks Take Food Allergies Seriously

    Tips for having an enjoyable and safe experience at amusement parks if you or a family member has food allergies.

  • A person with curly hair, wearing a green shirt and blue jeans, sits comfortably on a gray couch in a bright room. The walls are adorned with framed pictures and decorative branches in a vase.

    Tia Mowry Shares How Peanut Allergies Impact Her Family

    Tina Morey, the actress, of ‘Sister, Sister’ fame, is opening up about how she manages her son’s peanut allergy – and encourages others to…

  • A smiling doctor with a stethoscope talks to a young girl holding a teddy bear. The doctor is wearing a white coat, and they both seem engaged in a positive interaction.

    Food Allergy Immunotherapy Continues to Show Promise

    The results of research studies demonstrate promise for effective treatment of peanut allergy and egg allergy immunotherapy.

  • A woman with dark hair speaks in front of a textured wall. The text beside her reads: "Julie Wang, MD, FACAAI, ACAAI Food Allergy Committee Member, Professor at The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City, Member, American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

    Ask the Allergist: What Is the Peanut Patch?

    Dr. Julie Wang answers the Ask the Allergist question: what should a peanut-allergic patient expect when considering the peanut patch? Is it safe?

  • Students sitting at desks in a classroom, focused on their work. A boy in the foreground is smiling at the camera, wearing a pink polo shirt. Other students are reading and writing, with a bright, open space in the background.

    High School Students Talk: Food Allergy

    Watch this video from SOAAR in Chicago to remind you and your teen how to manage food allergies safely in high school.

All About

Food Allergy

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.

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