Thank you so much for this. I sent it to my DH, Mom, sister, cousin who has an allergic son, and her mom.
Thank you so much for this. I sent it to my DH, Mom, sister, cousin who has an allergic son, and her mom.
I haven't even read thru all the links on the fatalities post. Another mom on kidswithfoodallergies.com did the research. I had several threads bookmarked on that site, which is where i get most of my food allergy info (along w/ my support group meetings and allergist.)
DD 7 - outgrew dairy allergy 6/13/11 - She had FPIES http://bit.ly/WhatIsFPIES
You're welcome to those that thanked me. Thanks to you all for finding the info helpful. I'm thrilled that I can help others now that I know more. A year ago, upon diagnosis, i was so overwhelmed I didn't know what to do. I wish I could do more. It's a cause I'm passionate about, but don't have the time or energy to dedicate much time to. I, too, still have great difficulties w/ people that don't get it. My MIL used to work in allergy (but not food) and it's still a struggle to have her get it. Back then when she was in the field, it's was nothing.
Food allergies is the only disease that directly affects sufferers, their families and their communities. Those that are angy about the school policies should want research done as much as FA parents.
I'd really love it if all of the BBB members read it, even if it doesn't affect them now. The way FA's are going, I bet at one point or another everyone will have a FA kid in their classrooms.
If you want to help you can:
1. Write a letter, email or call your congressman encouraging them to tell the federal government that we need more money for food allergy research
AND
2. PLEASE sign up for the Chicago Children's Memorial Food Allergy Study. Contact Deanna Caruso at (312) 573-7755. They have Saturday appointments and are at 2 locations: Chicago and Glenview IL. ALSO...they are accepting (and need) NON-allergy families too. I believe they help out of state (or area at the minimum) participate too.
http://www.childrensmrc.org/allergy/study/
Printable brochure - http://www.childrensmrc.org/docs/Foo...ies_UPDATE.pdf
ETA: if you haven't noticed, I LOVE www.kidswithfoodallergies.org. They've been such a huge & invaluable help to me. Their message boards are phenomenal. Over 8,000 parents are on it and can help with anything you can thing of in relation to allergies, elimination diets (breastfeeding), recipes, support, reactions etc.
DD 7 - outgrew dairy allergy 6/13/11 - She had FPIES http://bit.ly/WhatIsFPIES
I was thinking how unfortunate it is that so many ppl had to actually lose their child to become activists and cause major change. Isn't is sad that we don't get it till someone actually pays the price? I hope that thru education we can all learn how to prevent these kind of tragedies.
OT- But I'm just wondering, I see a huge increase in the prevalence of severe food allergies over the years. (Especially peanuts) As far as I know, these life threatening allergies weren't so common as far back as 30-40 years ago. Any theories why allergies are becoming more prevalent? Or am I totally wrong on this?
~Shanamama
Mommy's girl- 10 years old!!
Daddy's girl- turning 7!!
monkey boy- 3 years old now!!
Wacky typos brought to you by autocorrect.
Done. Thanks Erica!
~Shanamama
Mommy's girl- 10 years old!!
Daddy's girl- turning 7!!
monkey boy- 3 years old now!!
Wacky typos brought to you by autocorrect.
You're not wrong. 12 million plus people have food allergies in the US. 2.2 million school-aged kids. One in every 17 kids under the age of 3. Peanut allergies have doubled from 1997-2002. Researchers are trying to find out why. Some theories are that the allergens are in everything now....soy, peanut, dairy - in everything. It's totally not logical where they show up. Peanuts in Jelly Bellies, chilli - Dairy in medicines, shampoo, baby wipes - soy and corn in everything! I think whatever country's main dish, has those allergies. Like fish in asia. Peanuts here are roasted, but not elsewhere as much. Roasting makes them more allergenic. Another thought is the hygene theory - our nation is so clean now, that our systems have nothing else to fight but non-harmful things. I believe people who are raised on farms have less allergies.
Food allergy facts and basics
http://www.foodallergy.org/downloads...ergyBasics.pdf
Important to know that each reaction can be different. If you've been having small reactions all along, the next one can still be life threatening. Also, food allergies can pop up at any time, as a pp stated about her dh. Trace amounts can cause severe reactions. Some are sensitive to products made in the same facility as their allergens. All food allergic patients have to look constantly for hidden food allergies in everything. Touching a countertop or toy, that someone touched w/ the allergen on their hands, and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth can cause a reaction. Contact reactions happen too (just touching your skin).
The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network www.foodallergy.org is the premier site in the US to go to for help and donations, product resources, research, food alerts etc. All food allergic families would benefit greatly from that site and www.kidswithfoodallergies.org
Food Allergy FAQ http://www.foodallergy.org/questions.html
what is it, symptoms (hives, vomiting, breathing difficulties, constant runny nose, swelling, death) best treatment (total avoidance), cure (no), treatment (epi injector), difference btwn intollerance and allergy etc.
How to contact your legislators
http://www.foodallergy.org/Advocacy/contactlegis.html
common allergens - dairy, egg, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat, peanut, tree nut, (sesame and sulphites are #9 & 10)
http://www.foodallergy.org/allergens/index.html
What's Anaphylaxis - "sudden, severe, potentially fatal, systemic allergic reaction that can involve various areas of the body (such as the skin, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and cardiovascular system)." It can occur w/in minutes to several hours. Sometimes there's a 2nd reaction hours later that can be even worse than the first. http://www.foodallergy.org/anaphylaxis/index.html
DD 7 - outgrew dairy allergy 6/13/11 - She had FPIES http://bit.ly/WhatIsFPIES
By the way, I'm not an expert or a health care professional. I'm not giving medical advice. I'm just sharing knowledge that I've gained from having a child with potentially life threatening food allergies - dairy (confirmed), peanut & tree nut (likely) - avoiding seeds, fish and shellfish - outgrew egg at age 2.
Some advice from info I've gained -
- Delay introducing likely food allergens as long as possible. For example, introduce peanut, tree nuts & shellfish after age 3. Longer if there's a history of allergies (any allergies food or not) in the family.
- Trust your instincts
- See a pediatric allergist if you have any concerns. Most pediatricians are not well versed on food allergies. Especially since the field is changing so rapidly!
- There are allergic conditions that test negative to all types of test. They are non-IGE mediated. If you suspect your child isn't well, despite all the negative finding, contact an allergist/immunologist. One condition is called EE or EOS - eosinophilic esophagitis www.apfed.org. ETA: There's also food protein induced enterocolitis (FPIES, milk MPIES, soy SPIES). Typical symptoms are delayed (median: 2 hours) onset of vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy/dehydration. (see my post from 1/22
FYI- Any type of allergy in the family (seasonal, environmental, food) increases their kid's risk of getting food allergies.
Others with good info - feel free to post info you have as well.
DD 7 - outgrew dairy allergy 6/13/11 - She had FPIES http://bit.ly/WhatIsFPIES
Famous people with food allergies - don't quote me on these.
I got some info from this site: http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=745057
Katie Couric’s Nephew - peanuts
http://archives.foodsafetynetwork.ca...7-27-01-01.txt
Ray Romano "Everybody Loves Raymond" star Ray Romano, allergic to peanuts,
Mirror Magazine, Sunday Times: 29th July 2001
http://lakdiva.org/suntimes/010729/mirrorm.html
Jill Soloway, Executive producer on HBO's Six Feet Under - son is allergic to peanuts
Source: Literary Mama
http://www.literarymama.com/profiles...es/000940.html
From the Peanut Allergy Forum
==============================
The Peanut Allergy Forum mentions that
- Anne Mroczkowski on City Line night news has a peanut allergy
- Heather Locklear's little girl - Ava has a peanut allergy.
http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanu...ML/003957.html
Another thread at the Peanut Allergy Forum mentions that
- Barbara Bush once said on a talk show that she was allergic to peanuts
- Swoosie Kurtz - “I heard somewhere that Swoosie Kurtz is allergic to
peanuts.
- Kevin Newman, ABC news host
http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanu...ML/000664.html
---------------------------------
Sara Jessica Parker & Matthew Broderick's 4 y/o son (10/02) James Wilkie is allergic to peanuts. Life magazine
Billy Bob Thorton said in an interview that he was allergic to wheat, milk, and fish.
Clay Aiken, American Idol (second season) contestant and second place winner/now a recording artist - “Men's Health" - allergic to coffee, chocolate, shellfish, tree nuts, mushrooms, and mints. http://www.achooallergy.com/blog/clayaiken/
John Kerry's wife, Theresa Heinz Kerry, said in an interview she's allergic to shellfish
Robert Kennedy Jr son is allergic to peanuts.
Celine Dion during an interview talked about her son having really bad eczema and "other" issues.
Tom Poti a spokesperson for FAAN -hockey player (Oilers defenseman) - Severe multiple food allergies (including nuts, fish, MSG)
Ming Tsai and Alton Brown both have kids w/ food allergies
Kelly Preston / John Travolta's son Jett had allergy type issues.
Elisabeth Hasselbeck (or Filarski from Survivor, the View, and Look for less) is allergic to wheat
Debbie and Lisa Ganz, are twins who operate a very popular twin website and modeling agency out of NY. One of them is allergic to fish and something else.
Kevin Sorbo supposedly was in an ad for food allergy awareness. Don't know if he or his son is allergic.
Martha Stewart said once during her show that after being in Maine and eating lobster every day that she became allergic to it, but said she still eats a little bit. She doesn't get it
Trace Adkins, country music star. He has a web site about his child's food allergies and sells stuffed animals for the cause
Halle Berry - allergic to shrimp
Serena Williams - allergic to peanuts
Lauren Collins - allergic to peanuts
Alex Kapranos (Franz Ferdinand) - allergic to peanuts
Alan Chang (pianist & music director for Michael Buble) - allergic to tree nuts.
Others from
http://www.angelfire.com/mi/FAST/celebrity.html
Lisa Vultaggio, Hannah Scott on General Hospital Dairy and wheat
Lionel Ritchie, singer Dairy intolerance
Myriam Bedard, Biathlete Unspecified food allergy
Sabine Voelker, speed skater Beef, pork, chicken
Caroline, actress on PBS' Zoom, which is an educational show for kids. - Caroline used to be allergic to tomatoes (but isn't now).
Dale Hurd, Newscaster on 700 Club - Immediate family member allergic to wheat (others?)
Zoe, actress on PBS' Zoom, which is an educational show for kids. - Latex
Todd Reirden, hockey player (#28 for St. Louis Blues) - Gluten allergy
Tava Smiley, Chloe Morgan on General Hospital - Dairy
Joshua Jackson, Actor (Dawson’s Creek, Pacey) - Peanuts
Drew Barrymore, actress. - Coffee
Food allergy rise attributed to Celebrities http://www.medindia.com/news/view_news_main.asp?x=7031
actress Rachel Weisz has a wheat intolerance
Geri Halliwell - wheat intolerance
dairy intolerance - Orlando Bloom and Victoria Beckham
gluten intolerance - Carol Vorderman
lactose intolerance - Rachel Hunter.
Robert Zoellick (Deputy Secretary of State and former US Trade Representative ambassador) is severely allergic to peanuts. My husband used to work under him and always said to me that if he can become UTSR and travel everywhere in the world, there is no reason why our daughter's life should be restricted because of her allergies.
Article from Sports Illustrated. Saints quarterback, Drew Brees, Brees's long list of food allergies includes dairy, wheat, gluten, eggs and nuts
ETA: shortened text
DD 7 - outgrew dairy allergy 6/13/11 - She had FPIES http://bit.ly/WhatIsFPIES
Thanks for sharing that letter. :)
Thank you for posting this to bring awareness to this issue. My DH has a milk protein allergy that is near fatal. He had one lick from an ice cream cone that almost took his life when he was 2.
Valerie