Food Allergy News in 2010

Much has happened over the past year and individuals and families with food allergy have a lot to celebrate:

We found out that we should carry 2 doses of epinephrine.
We discovered how to turn off a food reaction in mice.
We educated the public about bullying experienced by our food allergic kids.
More allergists are trying densensitization programs with food allergic patients.
We read about the creation of a low-allergy peanut.
We're able to determine through a blood test which infants are at increased risk for developing allergies.
Researchers are on the way to discovering the gene that could be responsible for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).
Conferences, like one run by AAAAI, were a great source of exciting studies and new information.
The discovery of a specific molecule that  directs immune cells to develop the capability to produce an allergic response helps researchers with another piece of the allergy puzzle.

So, like with many other things, we have much to be grateful for and much more to do.

Thank you readers for checking in throughout 2010. I look forward to a new year filled with many more advances in food allergy, but I can't wait for the day when I can say, "We have a cure!".

Happy New Year!


 

Food Allergy Ball at Waldorf Raises Millions

The 13th annual Food Allergy Ball was held Monday, December 6, 2010 at The Waldorf-Astoria in New York. The evening raised over $4.5 million, which will benefit the Food Allergy Initiative’s research activities and educational programs.

Gift bags featured items like cupcakes from Izzi B's, cookies from Sweet Loren's cookies, and chocolate bars by Divvies. All food served had clearly displayed labels listing all ingredients.
Check out these beautiful pictures from Black Tie magazine showcasing the 13th annual event. What a great way to raise money and awareness for food allergies.

Food Allergy Management Law to be Signed by President Obama

It's taken five years, but the U.S. Congress has finally passed FAAMA, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Management Act. President Obama is expected to officicially sign it into law soon. Here's what the new law will do in the U.S.:

• require the US Secretary of Health and Human Services to create a plan for schools to manage the risk of food allergies and anaphylaxis.
• provide grants for schools to voluntary implement these guidelines.

Yes, it's voluntary, but it's a start. Educating teachers, staff, students and families about food allergies is critical. Perhaps you read this week of the tragic death of a peanut allergic 13-year old who had a fatal allergic reaction at school. The full story isn't out yet, but reportedly the classroom teacher hosted a celebration with Chinese take-out. So tragic!

Write to your school nurse and superintendant today. Make sure they know about FAAMA and offer your support to get a policy in place at your school. Together we can make this standard at every school in the country. Do it for your child, my child and to honor the life of Katelyn Carlson.

Food Allergy Awareness Via New York Stock Exchange

Mark your calendars.  Next Friday, December 30, at 4 pm ET,  FAAN will ring the closing bell on Wall Street to signal the end of trading year 2010 and to begin FAAN's 20th anniversary year. A live webcast of the event can be seen online at the New York Stock Exchange site. FAAN CEO Julie Brasher will be joined by FAAN’s Board Chair Andrew Gilman and his son Sam, FAAN's "Ambassador Who Cares" Chef Ming Tsai and his son David and other members of the food allergy community.

Food Allergy Labeling Continues to Confuse

Those "may contain:" statements on food labels may soon have some meaning behind them- at least in the U.K. The Food Standards Agency is seeking to define thresholds for major allergens which would in turn allow food manufacturers and consumers to speak in a consistent language.

This would clearly be a welcome and important piece of information. In our house, we find little consistency in those "may contain" statements and find we sometimes avoid those foods, and other times we don't. This is usually after careful research, including a phone call to the manufacturer and weighing the reputation of that manufacturer and the perceived severity of the allergy.  Not an exact science by any means and these types of statements certainly raise the stress level within our family.

I'm all for consistency and would welcome specific definitions for food labels. We're still years away, though, as the task force is expected to report back in mid-2012, and then the food industry will weigh in on how, or if, they can live with the recommended definitions.

It's a start. The full article is available at Food Manufacture.

Teens With Food Allergies: More Great Resources

I recently blogged about teens and food allergies. A thank you to reader, Kyle, who alerted me to a great video series on the same topic put out by Anaphylaxis Canada. It addresses those tricky areas like dating, eating out and high school. All 5 videos are posted on YouTube and are worthwhile to check out, even if your child isn't in the teen years yet.

I think all high schools- students and staff- and all restaurants should view these well-produced videos. Check them out and pass them on. The teen years are already tough. Add in an issue like food allergies and nearly everything gets harder. Awareness and education are the key to making the teen years happier and safer for those with food allergies.

Flying with Peanut and Other Food Allergies

Canada's two major airlines are making it safer for those with peanut and other food allergies to fly. WestJet plans to make an announcement requesting other passengers not to eat nut or peanut products when a customer with such allergies requests this. The airline also plans to add an adult and child strength epinephrine auto-injector to its on-board medical kits in early 2011.

Canada's largest airline, Air Canada, has now posted  its official food allergy policy online. Canada’s main airline is starting to provide for a small buffer zone with advance notice and a completed medical form.

Yeah! Now we're getting somewhere!

Calling all other airlines...it's time to step up to the plate. These are reasonable accommodations for passengers in need. It's time to do right and promote a safe on-board environment for people with food allergies.

Read more at Allergic Living magazine's site.

Food Allergy Guidelines: What do They Really Mean?

There has been much buzz over the past week about the recently released "Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the U.S". I've been quietly digesting the information in an effort to form my own thoughts and opinions about it. I applaud the two year efforts of the 34 organizations, agencies, physicians and  others who were involved in creating these guidelines. We have had too many years of inconsistent diagnosis, unclear instructions and confusion about what a food allergy really is. I do believe that clear guidelines will allow for some consistency and better education about food allergies.

So, what have we got with these new guidelines?

1. We've got a lot of defined terms now. From food allergy to food intolerances to tolerance to oral allergy, we can all speak the same language by referencing the definitions included in this paper.
2. It seems that we mostly rely on self-reporting as a means to track the prevalence of food allergy. That can impact the statistics as people are generally unsure of what a food allergy is and what the symptoms of a reaction are.
3. It also appears that our current testing methods (blood and skin tests) are not very accurate and cause an over-diagnosis of food allergy. Oral challenges are our best means of diagnosis at the present time, but present the highest risk to patients. I would also argue based on our experience, that oral challenges become less helpful to a person who has anxiety about eating a food they're been told to avoid for many years. The challenge becomes very subjective when the person complains of vague symptoms, like "I think my tongue feels itchy" or "my throat feels funny".
4. While annual food allergy testing was the standard practice, there is no evidence to support this time interval. It is unclear what time interval should be recommended.
5. The guidelines suggest that doctors and professional organizations may be too conservative when it comes to their recommendations for egg allergic individuals to avoid certain vaccines such as influenza, rabies and yellow fever. Those allergic to egg may be able to tolerate these vaccines- according to some studies.
6. Maternal diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding should not be restricted. Introduction of solid foods to infants should also not be delayed.
7. Clear definitions for anaphylaxis are available in the guidelines with epinephrine listed as the first line of treatment, followed by evaluation in a hospital setting. Hospitals are advised to observe patients for 4-6 hours, longer if there are other complicating factors, even though we don't really have a feel for the true incidence of these bi-phasic or delayed reactions.

For those of us who have lived with food allergy for many years, I don't know that we have any more information now than we did before these guidelines came out. I've read and heard all of this before. That said, we needed to make sure all professionals and caregivers were on the same page, and I think these guidelines will accomplish that.

A patient friendly copy of the guidelines will be available in 2011, but in the meantime, if you want to slog through the lengthy document, I'll send you to the correct page in the December 2010 issue of The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Food Allergy Friendly Sales

Those of us who must buy special foods know how expensive that can be. Take advantage of holiday sales from these allergy friendly companies:

10% off all Miss Robens baking mixes, plus 10% off your total order at the Allergy Grocer. Just enter code "JOY2010" at checkout. They are my favorite source for Barry Calabaut chocolate chips and this offer makes it a great time to stock up!

My cookbook shelf contains all of Linda Coss's books. Yours can too with her offer of free shipping and additional savings for book sets now through Dec. 31. She'll even personally autograph your books- just ask in the "special instructions section during check-out. My copies are dog-eared with folds and creases showing years of use. From pancakes to spaghetti and meatball soup, you're sure to find recipes the whole family will love.

Peanutfree Planet is your source for allergy friendly Advent calendars, iced gingerbread men and other goodies for the season. They offer flat rate shipping  or free shipping for orders over $100.

For other seasonal sweets, Premium Chocolatiers is offering beautiful chocolate gifts for the holidays, but hurry as only orders placed by today, Dec. 13, are guaranteed in time for Christmas. Amanda's Own will ship their holiday treats until Dec. 16 and Divvies offers a variety of Chanukah and Christmas treats this season  too.

Happy shopping!

Food Allergy Friendly Christmas Gifts

Do you have a young person with food allergies on your shopping list this season? Consider some of these unique gifts:

Food Allergies Rock!, by Kyle Dine. This fun musical CD is sure to have everyone in stitches! Take a listen. Don't forget about Kyle's first CD, You Must Be Nuts!. Who can keep a straight face with songs like "Tingle on my Tongue" and "Gluten Free Blues"?

Great books about food allergy for the younger set include:

The Bugabees: Friends With Food Allergies
Allie the Allergic Elephant: A Children's Story of Peanut Allergies
Cody the Allergic Cow: A Children's Story of Milk Allergies
"Abby the Alley Cat - Staying Safe from Dairy"
Chad the Allergic Chipmunk: A Children's Story of Nut Allergies
The Itchy Kids Club: Silly Poems for Itchy Kids
Starting School with a Food Allergy: Tips for a Peanut Allergic Kid
The Peanut Pickle: A Story About Peanut Allergy
The Peanut-Free Café
Taking Food Allergies to School...Coloring Book (Special Kids in School)

Did I miss any of your favorites? Please share!

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Don't forget to support FAAN’s bid to win grants from the Pepsi Refresh Project for Fund a Cure for Life-Threatening Food Allergies.
There are three ways to vote through Dec. 31:

1. Vote on the Pepsi Refresh Website:
2. Text 104004 to Pepsi (73774)
3. Vote on Facebook with the Pepsi Refresh app

Teenagers and Food Allergies- A Troubling Time

A recent survey of food allergic teens shows some surprising results. Of those surveyed, very few were troubled by having to carry epinephrine or by having to wear medical jewelry. What troubled adolescents with food allergy the most were:

• being a burden to others who may need to accommodate their allergy.
• feeling left out in social situations where eating is involved.
• not feeling supported by their schools in terms of the school educating others about food allergy.
• stress involved in eating in restaurants and while traveling.

Teens with food allergy are a target group of particular concern because they have a higher risk of death associated with anaphylaxis. This study sheds light on the specific concerns within this age group so that education and counseling can help teens deal with their food allergy concerns.

What can we do to help improve the quality of life for food allergic teens?

• Help our food allergic children, pre-teens and teenagers find the words to explain their allergy confidently and matter-of-factly to others.
• Provide our kids and teens with tools to use during social situations where food is served. This may mean providing safe food for all or suggesting your teen eat before the event and bring a snack to eat later.
• Continue educating and advocating at all school levels- including high school. Make sure school officials understand food allergy. Ensure your school has a food allergy management plan. Encourage discussion of food allergy in health and other relevant classes so students learn of the symptoms and dangers.
• Push for legislation within the restaurant industry to require proper accommodations for those with food allergy.
• Encourage your teen to seek counseling if needed and to be involved with others who deal with food allergy. FAAN Teen is a great resource where teens share their experiences and tips.
• Share books such as Allergy Information for Teens: (Teen Health Series) and Fatal foods:find out how one teen copes with her allergy to peanuts.: An article from: Scholastic Choices

Teens are stressed about their food allergies. We can all help decrease this stress and provide a safer environment for this group.

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Don't forget to support FAAN’s bid to win grants from the Pepsi Refresh Project for Fund a Cure for Life-Threatening Food Allergies.
There are three ways to vote through Dec. 31:
1. Vote on the Pepsi Refresh Website:
2. Text 104004 to Pepsi (73774)
3. Vote on Facebook with the Pepsi Refresh app

Food Allergy Alert- Recall of Allergy Medications

This is getting tiresome and time consuming, but there has been another recall of medications that may affect the allergy community. All Benadryl Fastmelt products, as well as Jr. Motrin, have been recalled by McNeil Consumer Healthcare.

Go check your medicine cabinet and then check here for details of the recall.



For a food allergy reaction, the Fastmelt tablets are not ideal. The liquid form of Benadryl is recommended. Consider the Benadryl pre-filled spoons- we keep one of these in the Epi-Pen waistpouch- for quick and easy use.

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Don't forget to support FAAN’s bid to win grants from the Pepsi Refresh Project for Fund a Cure for Life-Threatening Food Allergies.
There are three ways to vote through Dec. 31:

1. Vote on the Pepsi Refresh Website:
2. Text 104004 to Pepsi (73774)
3. Vote on Facebook with the Pepsi Refresh app

Register for Food Allergy Teleseminar This Wednesday

Gina Clowes, of Allergy Moms, is offering a free workshop via telephone to discuss the holidays and food allergy issues. The workshop is being held today, Wednesday, Dec. 1 from 2-3 pm EST (11 am Pacific). Gina encourages everyone to register, even if you can't participate in the call as all registrants will receive a link for a recording of the call.

Register here!

Airplane Travel With Food Allergies

We flew cross-country over the Thanksgiving holiday. We were booked on 3 Southwest flights for our trip. Southwest does offer peanuts for their in-flight snack, but will make a substitution upon request. As we were flying with dairy, egg, peanut and tree nut allergies, we at least take advantage of their "no-peanut snack", providing some sense of security.

For those of you who've never flown Southwest with a peanut allergy, here's what to do:

• Call Southwest a day or two before the flight to alert them of the peanut allergy. If booking your tickets online, on the "Southwest Airlines Payment and Passenger Information" screen, click on the link to "Add/Edit Disability Assistance Options."you can make note of the allergy. I'd still call prior to the flight.
• Speak with a Customer Service Agent (CSA) upon arrival at the airport. You will then be given a "Peanut Dust Allergy Document" and the CSA will alert the Boarding Agent to stock the plane with an alternative snack.
• This "Peanut Dust Allergy Document" entitles the family to pre-board, allowing a family member to wipe down a seating area if necessary.
• Upon boarding, the Peanut Dust Allergy Document is handed over to the on-flight crew.

That's it. Easy!

We were on 3 flights and the procedure worked perfectly. There were snack options for everyone ranging from pretzels to crackers to Lorna Doone® cookies, Ritz® cheese crackers and pita chips. Several of these snacks contained my child's allergens,  but we read labels and chose accordingly. I know many food allergic flyers choose not to eat anything in-flight, and that's fine too. Of course one can always bring safe snacks from home.

I like the way Southwest handles peanut allergies. It saves me the worry of 150 people opening packets of peanuts and releasing peanut dust all over the cabin and I think most people don't even notice the substitution. When the man in the row in front of us requested peanuts for his snack, the flight attendant said, "We're a peanut-free flight, but ask me when you're getting off the plane and I'll give you a complimentary pack of peanuts. Would you like crackers or cookies now?".

Yeah Southwest!

Food Allergy Jingle Raises Awareness About Safety During the Holidays

Two young girls, calling themselves the "Peanut Free Players" sing a holiday themed song about food allergies. Take a few moments away from your holiday planning, pull the kids up to the computer and enjoy this clever jingle.

A Food Allergy Friendly Thanksgiving

I've got a section on my site devoted to allergy-friendly traditional Thanksgiving dishes. Please check out the "Holiday Dinner Menu" as you finalize your last minute recipes. If you're considering brining your turkey, first read this article.

Food Allergy Assistant wishes all of you a safe and delicious Thanksgiving dinner!

Food Allergy Program for Schools

The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis (FAAN) has published a newly revised "School Food Allergy Program". It is now available for purchase. This updated version includes Safe@School®, a CD-Rom, which provides educators with a slide presentation and talking points to train others about food allergies. This comprehensive guide is for schools at every level with information geared toward principals, teachers, school nurses, food service staff, and parents.

Is this something your school could use? Talk to your principal, school nurse or parent teacher organization if you think this would be a valuable resource for your school. At $80 ($75 for FAAN members), you may believe it to be a worthwhile holiday gift for your child's school.

Peanut Allergy: What Do You Think of Banning Peanuts?

http://foodallergyassistant.blogspot.com/2010/11/food-allergy-news-from-annual.htmlOh, Dr. Bahna, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), has sure stirred up a pot of trouble. As mentioned in a previous post, the ACAAI has been conducting their annual meeting over the past few days. Perhaps the most publicized information coming out of the meeting, has been comments about peanut bans made by Dr. Bahna. Check out this report from NPR's Health Blog. Of particular interest to me are the dozens of comments which rest on both sides of the issue.
 
I don't know if it's because we were originally dealing with nearly ten different food allergens, but I've never been an advocate of food bans. However, I am an advocate of making reasonable accommodations for medical needs. Therefore, when I contact an airline and request that peanuts not be served on our flight due to a peanut allergy, I expect that reasonable request to be honored. If suddenly those orange cheese curls became the popular in-air snack, I'd be just as adamant that those snacks not be served on our flight either. Imagine a huge cloud of cheese dust circling over my milk allergic's child head- a nightmare!

I am in favor of school cafeterias providing safe places for all children to eat lunch. If that means a separate safe table for my child, I want to be able to make that reasonable request.

Yes, the topic of food allergies can cause great debate, but for those of us who live with a food allergy, there is no debate. Anaphylaxis can be fatal and we should expect reasonable accommodations to be made to prevent a reaction.

Food Webinar on Food Labels May Inform Those With Food Allergy

The Imtermational Food Information Council Foundation (IFIC) is holding a webcast about something I read multiple times each day (no, I'm not talking about e-mails)- food labels.

Speakers ranging from dieticians, college professorsa and lawyers will discuss the rules and regulations that support the use of label claims and look at research into how people use food labels when making choices.

Specifically, discussion will be around:

• FDA guidelines for food labeling and health claims
• The Federal Trade Commission's views of health benefit claims
• A look at food culture and consumer behavior

The webcast is today- 9:30 am ET. If interested, you must pre-register. There are continuing education credits available for those who qualify.

It would be great for the food allergy community to have a presence in this webinar

 

Food Allergies and News From Annual Conference of ACAAI

Last week, the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) held its annual meeting in Phoenix. The organization, established in 1942, is made up of over 5500 health professionals and is dedicated to improving patient care in the areas of allergy and immunology.

Presenters at the meeting shared studies and research, much of it pertaining to food allergy. I've tracked down a few pieces of relevant presentations. As more is released, I'll share it. In the meantime, this will be of interest to those of us in the food allergy arena:

In a session titled "The Ability of Adults and Children to Visually Identify Peanuts and Tree Nuts", Co-authors: Todd L. Hostetler, MD, and ACAAI Member Bryan Martin, MD, (The Ohio State University/Nationwide Children's Hospital) report on a study in which only 50% of nut allergic people (ages 6 and up) could identify a picture of the nut they are are allergic to.

In "Adverse Reactions to H1N1 Vaccine after Tolerating Seasonal Flu Immunization", Amber M. Patterson, MD, (The Ohio State University/Nationwide Children's Hospital) says that tolerance to flu vaccine one year does not suggest future tolerance as the amount of egg in the vaccine varies widely.

In "If Kissing or Sex Leaves You Tingly, Is It Love or Allergies?" Dr. Sami Bahna talked about how allergic reactions to kissing and other intimate acts are more common for those with food and medication allergies.

Something else I've been watching for awhile is the use of Chinese herbs as a cure for peanut allergy. There was a session at the meeting, "Chinese herbs can complement proven allergy treatments", in which it was reported that Food Allergy Herbal Formula, previously shown to reduce anaphylactic reactions in peanut allergic mice, has now been shown to be safe for humans. Sounds promising!

Dr. Bahna, president of ACAAI, raised the ire of some in the food allergy community with several statements about bans 9or not) of peanuts in schools and airplanes.  Check it out and see what you think.

For more information on the ACAAI annual meeting, scroll through the Twitter conversation. More information about the organization can be found at their website.

Did any of these reports have a specific interest for you? I'm thrilled with the continued research on all fronts of food allergy. Let's continue to talk about egg allergy and flu vaccine and peanut allergy bans and promising food allergy cures. Let's keep making forward progress!

Fund A Cure for Food Allergies

This month, FAAN is again participating in the Pepsi Refresh contest. The group is asking for $250,000 to find a cure for food allergy. If this idea makes it to the top two ideas, we all win! It is currently ranked 59th. Your vote is needed. The vote of your parents, friends, neighbors, entire e-mail distribution list is needed. Imagine what a quarter of a million dollars for food allergy research could do!

You can vote every day all month. Please go to the Pepsi Refresh contest and vote today. Or you can text 104004 to Pepsi (73774). Then tweet it, FB it and get the word out to others. Anyone can vote. The contest ends November 30.

Last month, FAAN asked everyone to vote for Camp TAG, food allergy summer camps, in the Pepsi Refresh contest. Camp TAG didn't win, but since it made it to the top 100, there is still a chance for it to get it into the top two this month.

Food Allergy and Why Two Doses of Epinephrine May Be Necessary

A recent study reported in the Journal of Pediatrics determined the need for people with food allergies to carry multiple doses of epinephrine.The study followed 605 children (median age 5.8) to find out how many of them needed a second dose of life-saving medication after suffering a food related allergic reaction. Twelve percent of patients needed the second dose, causing the researchers to support the recommendation of carrying two doses of self-injectable epinephrine.

Now, 12% doesn't seem like a high number to me, but how are you to know if you or your child require that second dose? At this point my child carries one epi to school. A second one is in the nurse's office. When traveling, we carry multiple epis and there are several in our house.

For those interested in two dose medications, Twinject® offers a back-up dose. Their site suggests that 20% of reactions require a second dose. Since both doses are in one pen, the Twinject can be used in a single with carrying pouch. Our allergist has always prescribed the Epi Pen®, but I plan to discuss other options.

It's on the list...

What brand of epi do you use? How many pens do you have?

Food Allergies and Baking With Milk and Egg

As I've reported, we're adding tiny amounts of egg and milk in baked form to my egg and milk allergic child's diet. As all these food allergy transitions have been over the years, it's been challenging finding recipes that work. It sounds easy- just add an egg or some milk to any recipe.

It's not that easy. We're trying to stick to the guidelines of baking foods for at least 30 minutes at a minimum of 350 degrees. That eliminates most cookies and muffins and primarily leaves us with breads and cakes.

We've been eating an awful lot of chocolate cake in our house recently.

I'm in the routine now of having one baked good that contains one egg and one that contains a tiny amount of milk. My child eats egg one day and milk the next. The egg recipes are easier. Most cakes call for two eggs. For now, I use one regular egg and I substitute the other- usually 1 tablespoon flax seed mixed with 3 tablespoons water. The milk recipes take an advanced degree in chemistry with a minor in math. My childis off the scale allergic to milk so we're proceeding with extreme caution. I found a cake recipe that calls for 1/2 cup milk. I use 3 grams (our food scale comes in handy here) of dried milk powder mixed with an 1/8th of a cup of water. Then I add 3/8 cup of soy milk.  The plan is to gradually increase the amount of milk powder.

So, I'm certainly not complaining. Any time we can add more options to this food allergy diet is cause for great celebration, but I do see a need for a new kind of cookbook as more people are able to tolerate baked milk and egg.

In the meantime, we'll have to share.

Food Allergy Awareness in the Restaurant Industry

Okay, it has a funny name...MenuTrinfo...but I like the concept. MenuTrinfo stands for Menu, Nutrition, Information. Their mission is to help the restaurant industry provide better and clearer nutrition information to restaurant patrons.

MenuTrinfo just announced a series of webinars, free and open to any interested party. The first one is Nov. 16  from 11-11:30 am EST. The topic is "Practical Approaches to Special Diets and Nutritional Labeling". Betsy Craig, MenuTrinfo’s founder, will focus on current dietary trends, food allergy management, status of menu nutritional labeling legislation and resources where restaurant owners can turn to for help.


Sign up on their website if you'd like to participate. Feel free to pass this information along to your favorite restaurant. Educating restaurants in the area of food allergy, safe food handling and nutrition labelling is a win-win for all of us.

Food Allergy Challenges for Baked Egg and Milk

I just baked a cake. It has an egg in it. A real egg for my egg allergic child! Last night I baked bread in the bread machine. I put 15 grams of dried milk powder in it. Real milk for my milk allergic child!

I haven't shared anything about this nearly 3 month journey because like all journeys, it's had plenty of bumps in the road and wrong turns. Frankly, I feel like we've stepped off the road and we're ploughing our way through uncharted territory. It's scary. It's exciting. We continue to move forward.

This food allergy journey began in July 2010 when we made an appointment to do a baked egg challenge in our allergist's office. As instructed, I baked an angel food cake with 12 eggs. My egg allergic child needed to eat one piece to get roughly one egg. There was much anxiety leading up to the appointment. It's hard to convince a child to eat something after telling them for 10 years to never eat it. The anxiety made the appointment difficult. Physical symptoms were hard to separate from symptoms of anxiety. The challenge was not completed. We left the office not knowing if there had been an allergic reaction.

Over the next few days, we, the parents, decided to use egg in baked products- just one egg in a whole cake for example. Our allergist was aware and not totally comfortable with the plan, but acknowledged that we had the tools to handle a reaction if there was one.

There wasn't a reaction.

For several months now my egg allergic child has been eating baked goods containing one egg that have been baked for approximately 30 minutes.

So, we decided to tackle baked milk. We wanted to use a small amount of dried milk powder in a batch of muffins. For the first serving, we decided to go into the allergist's office. This wasn't a traditional food challenge as technically we weren't using enough of the allergen, but the reassurance of having a doctor close by was helpful. My milk allergic child was able to eat a whole muffin that contained 0.33 grams of dried milk powder. As per the allergist's instructions, we've continued to keep milk powder in the diet over the past week.

This experience has been fraught with anxiety for all of us, but we hope we're doing the right thing in the long run. Our efforts are two-fold: get missing nutrients into the diet and begin to introduce the allergen slowly to allow the body to recognize it as okay.

There continues to be moments of, "I think my mouth is tingling" and "What if I can't breathe after I eat this?". We work through each situation as it comes up with as much confidence as we can muster. We're just parents trying to do the right thing by our child.

I certainly can't recommend this method, but I can recommend an open dialogue with your allergist. The research is coming in quickly and it's hard to keep up with the latest recommendations. Talk to your doctor and make a plan that is best for your child and your family.

I'll keep you posted on ours and hope you'll keep us posted on yours. We can all learn from one another.

Food Allergy Passed on Through Donated Organs and Bone Marrow Transplants

I recently posted a blog at Peanut Allergy.com that may be of interest. Check out "Peanut Allergy Passed Through Organ Transplant".

Go ahead...I'll wait...

I know- strange right? While bizarre, hopefully it will lead scientists to some answers for us about how food allergy works in the body.

Final days to vote for Camp TAG in the Pepsi contest. Summer camps for kids with food allergies...nice!

Nestle Recalls Popular Halloween Candy- Beware!

While searching through your child's bag after a night of trick or treating, be aware that Nestle® has recalled their fun size packages of Raisinets due to undeclared peanuts. Check here for the specifics on the recall.

Are you getting regular recall alerts for foods that have been contaminated with allergens? The scary thing is that I receive numerous recall announcements each week. There are many sites to help you stay on top of these alerts. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration offers e-mail notices, Twitter announcements, and of course "there's an app for that" for food and drug recalls. For specific food allergy alerts, sign up on FAAN's site. 

Don't forget to vote for Camp TAG today!

Food Allergy Products Discounted for Big Savings

Dealing with food allergies sure can be expensive, can't it? From special allergen-free foods, life saving medications and products like medical bracelets, it's not cheap to be safe.

 

Enter FAAN's E-Discount Place. Here are just some of the great offers you'll find:

• 15% off at Divvies
• up to 25% off at MedicAlert
• 15% off at Sweet Alexis
• 10% off at Vermont Nut Free
• Free copy of Allergic Living Magazine

So, check it out and start the week off with some money-saving offers.

And don't forget about Camp TAG. Register your vote for this idea to fund allergy-friendly camps across the US. Vote every day through Oct. 31. I just placed my vote!

Easy Fundraising for Food Allergy Research

Here's an easy way to raise money for FAAN (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network)- rate restaurants.  AllergyEats counts on peer review to provide a listing of allergy-friendly restaurants across the United States. The more people who participate in the ratings, the more valuable it will be for all of us. The database currently lists over 600,000 eating establishments.

To help, simply go to AllergyEats, sign up, and rate restaurants. For every restaurant rated, AllergyEats donates money to FAAN.

Simple and effective. I like it!

Another great thing to do today- CampTag is currently #32 in the Pepsi Good Idea Contest. Vote every day until the end of October for the "good idea" of opening food allergy friendly camps across the country!

Now, don't you feel empowered about all the good things you can do for those with food allergies?

Enjoy your day.

Support Funding for Food Allergy Research

I am so excited about all the food allergy research the past couple of years! As I've mentioned before, we've finally exited the black hole, where for nearly 10 years, there was very little study in the area of food allergies. The message we were all given was, "if you're allergic to it, avoid it". That's it. There were no other options.

Finally things are turning around.

Dr. Robert Wood, Director of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at The Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, is the Principal Investigator in 24 clinical studies in hopes of learning more about food allergy and finding a cure. From studies into the use of oral immunotherapy and sublingual therapies, to research into the effective ways to deal with adolescent food allergies to decrease deaths in this high risk group, Dr. Wood and his team are forging ahead on many fronts.

So, how can we help?

Consider a financial contribution to Dr. Wood's research team. I know- money is tight for everyone, but as we look ahead to the hoilday season, I can't think of a better gift for our children (and adults) with food allergy than hope for a cure. When grandparents ask what they can give your kids this Christmas, consider asking them to make a contribution in your child's name. Rather than buying one more action figure, take that money and send it off to be used for research.

If you are able to make a financial contribution, make a check payable to Johns Hopkins Children’s Center and send it to:

Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
Development Office
Attn: Jennifer Balzano
100 N. Charles Street, Ste. 200
Baltimore, MD 21201

Be sure to include a note with your donation stating that your gift is in support of Dr. Wood.

Just think, our dollars can go toward a cure for food allergies. No more worrying about cross contamination and allergic reactions. No more label reading for allergens. No more kids feeling left out at birthday parties and other celebrations.

I can't think of a better investment.

Flu Vaccine for People With Food Allergy

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) has issued a statement about egg allergy and the flu vaccine after re-examining three studies. The conclusion?

We need more studies.

And thus a multi-center clinical trial is presently underway in the US.

Really? We still don't have enough information on this?????

Now, there is some good news. Many vaccine manufacturers are listing the amount of ovalbumin (egg) on their inserts. This means doctors can seek out low ovalbumin vaccine for their egg allergic patients.

The other finding is that most people with egg allergy do tolerate the vaccine. However, the numbers of severely egg allergic subjects in the study was low, and so it is with caution that researchers can recommend the flu vaccine to this sub-group.

So, it makes sense to explore this again this year. Talk to your allergist. Can they get low egg vaccine? What are the risks vs the benefits of the vaccine? What have they seen in their practice so far this flu vaccine season?

At this point we've done what we always do- the rest of the family gets the vaccine in the hopes of protecting the non-vaccinated egg allergic family member. We see the allergist in two weeks, though, and this is on my list...

...again...

Is it so hard to come up with a flu vaccine without growing it on chicken eggs? Sigh...

Some related posts for those of you dealing with this for the first time:

Flu Vaccine Recommendations and Egg Allergy
Flu Vaccine for Egg Allergic
Still Confused About Egg Allergy and Flu Shots?
Guidelines for H1N1Vaccine and Egg Allergy
Flu Shot Season

Food Allergy Study Turns Off Allergic Reactions in Mice

Can the body be trained to tolerate proteins that cause food allergy reactions? Researchers at Johns Hopkins are one step closer to answering that question. They have found a way to turn off food allergy responses in mice. By feeding a modified food protein to food allergic mice, scientists discovered that the immune system was able to tolerate the offending food. Within five days, the mice were able to tolerate the food in an unmodified form!

Pretty cool, huh?

Researchers are now looking to see if there is an implication for humans. Check out the full article in Science Daily.

I love to read about this kind of progress and remain hopeful that this is another piece of the puzzle leading toward a food allergy cure.

Overprotective Parents and Increase in Food Allergies

I'm trying not to take offense with this article, but it's hard not too. I'm going to go with the idea that the writer was looking for a sensational headline to increase readership.

Yeah, that's it.

Here's the thing, medical doctors have been telling parents to delay introduction of certain foods and to read all labels to avoid any trace of highly allergenic foods. We've been told that our food allergic children could die if they eat even a tiny amount of their allergen. And people have died.

I realize that the latest research is beginning to show a different picture. Recent studies are showing that it may be better to introduce major allergens at a young age. This news article talks about a recent article in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Imunology. A study involving 2500 infants showed a lower incidence of egg allergy for the babies introduced to egg before 12 months.No other major allergens have been studied.

For now, stay in touch with your pediatrician and allergist about what is best for your baby or child.

Overprotective parents...geeeesh...we're just doing the best we can with the information we have. We're just being the best parents we can be.

Food Allergy Summer Camps

The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) is pursuing a $250,000 grant from PepsiRefresh to open camps in 11 cities for children with food allergies and their siblings.

FAAN needs our help.

The top two ideas get the money. This idea, called Camp TAG (The Allergy Gang), is currently ranked at 25.You can vote every day through Oct. 31. Let's get the word out and vote today for our kids with food allergies.

VOTE HERE.

Food Allergy Friendly Baking: The Divvies Bakery Cookbook

 
Lori Sandler is the founder of Divvies Bakery and the author of the Divvies Bakery Cookbook. She's also a mom of a child with dairy, egg and nut allergies, so everything in her gourmet bakeshop and in the cookbook are free of those major allergens.

I've shopped the Divvies online store for holiday treats (their BingGo! chocolate bars rival a Hershey bar and make a great Halloween treat) and I was pleased to find Divvies cookies in our Walt Disney World hotel when we vacationed there recently. The candies and cookies are, in a word- YUM!

Recently I had the opportunity to check out Lori's new cookbook. It is filled with over 70 recipes designed for bake sales, class parties and at-home celebrations.

Flipping through the pages the first time, my eye instantly caught the "Oh Fudge" recipe...
"Oh Fantastic" is more like it! No one would ever guess this is a dairy-free fudge! It's super-easy to make and satisfies that daily (okay, hourly) chocolate craving.

We also tried "Your Favorite Applesauce" after apple-picking this week-end. This is another easy one. The smell of baked apples wafting through the house soon led everyone to the kitchen to try some of this treat.

"Andrea's Mom's Granola Bars" was another hit. The Craisins® and chocolate chips added just the right flavors to this bar recipe.

Most of the recipes in the book call for ingredients found in anyone's pantry. This is a great baking book to have on hand. And get one for Grandma too so she can make cake and cookies that are safe for her grandchildren and worry-free for you.

Food Allergy E-Show Features Cybele Pascal

Check out a new e-show (that means a show that can be watched on your computer) by Cybele Pascal.

As the mother of a food allergic family and an author of two allergy-friendly recipe books, Cybele brings her knowledge to the world wide web.  Each month, The Eat Freely Show will feature recipes, as well as demonstrations and tips for those dealing with food allergies. The first episode is available now and offers a recipe for allergy-friendly pancakes.

Our family has enjoyed recipes from both of Cybele's cookbooks. Tune in each month for more great ideas in living with food allergy.

Epinephrine Use to Treat Food Allergy or Insect Sting Reactions

State laws vary in regards to whether non-medical personnel may administer epinephrine to a person experiencing anaphylaxis due to an allergic reaction. Recently, the WMS (Wilderness Medical Society) addressed this issue. The organization has taken the position that:

• outdoor instructors authorized to treat anaphylaxis should be trained to administer epinephrine
•  legislative change on the federal level should establish uniform protection in all 50 states

So, see that second bullet point? That means families need to know what the law in their state says about non-medical personnel administering epinephrine. In New York, for example, teachers and camp counselors are permitted to administer epinephrine after proper training. Other states strictly prohibit this. Good Samaritan Laws may cover people in some areas.

Ideally, a person with a known allergy that may lead to an anaphylactic reaction carries their own medication and self administers if necessary. That is not always possible though, especially for children experiencing a reaction. The laws need to protect helpers who may need to assist someone in a life-threatening situation.

Read the full WMS position and know the laws in your state.

Food Allergies and Bullying Study Results

Forty-three percent of school-age children with food allergies report bully waving allergen in their face in a threatening manner. Twenty percent of food allergic students report the teasing and harassment came from teachers and staff.

What?!?!?

Read the results of this study, conducted by Mount Sinai, then talk to your child. Explain to young children what bullying is and what they should do if they feel threatened. Develop a plan with older children about how to handle a bullying situation. Share this research with your school nurse, guidance counselor, teacher and administrators. Bullying is never okay. Bullying with food allergens is dangerous and needs to be stopped immediately. Does your school have an anti-bullying policy? Does the policy mention food allergy? The authors of this study say it should.

Food Allergies at School: More Tips

As the new school year gets underway, do not forget about "special area" teachers when creating a food allergy management plan.

• Food allergens may be hidden in art supplies. Make sure the art teacher is aware of your child's allergies and contacts parents if there are any questions about supplies used in the classroom.
• In music class, many instruments are passed around for children to try. Find out about the cleaning of these instruments. Ask for a specially designated set for your child if you are especially concerned.
• Computer kepyboards may harbor food allergens. Does your child (or teacher)need to wipe down  the keyboard before beginning computer class?

From classroom to cafeteria to art room and school bus, cover all spaces and places in whatever food allergy plan you develop with your child's school.

Food Allergies and Halloween: Time to Get Ready

For those of us with food allergic children, planning ahead for Halloween is essential. My little guy goes trick or treating around the neighborhood. When he gets home, we take out all the candy with milk, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts.

All the candy that isn't labeled goes too.

Now, here's where my preparation pays off. I have lots of great treats to put back in the bag. Allow shipping time and order safe treats today. Check out these suppliers, with direct links to Halloween treats:

Divvies
Amanda's Own
Enjoy Life
AllerNeeds
Chocolate Emporium
Peanut Free Planet
Premium Chocolatiers
Vermont Nut Free

Most of these sources have order deadlines in mid-October to guarantee shipping in time for the big day. Did I miss any of your favorite Halloween go-tos?

Dairy Free Chocolate Chips

I do love chocolate! When I realized that my Ghiradelli milk chocolate chips were no longer an option in our new world of food allergy, I was a bit panicked. Well, maybe panicked is a bit strong...

no, taking away my favorite chocolate chips did cause panic!

So, we embarked on a tasting of dairy free chocolate chips.  I was not interested in mini-chocolate chips. I prefer the regular size for most of my baking. Fortunately I discovered Barry Callebaut chips. I swear to you, you'll never miss the dairy in these chips. I order them from The Allergy Grocer, as they're not carried in stores. This works great, except:

•  the chips can't be shipped during the summer months due to high temps and melting
• they're awfully expensive, especially with the shipping...

but who can put a price on a good chocolate chip?

Imagine my excitement recently while shopping at Wegmans's, when I noticed their store brand of chocolate chips is dairy free. I bought a bag, giddy at the thought of saving on those shipping costs. We had a blind taste-testing in our home that night.

No comparison. Barry Callebaut wins out.

So, I'll keep ordering multiple 5 lb. bags of Barry Callebaut chips from The Allergy Grocer, but I'm always willing to do more taste-testing!

Any suggestions?

By the way, Allergy Grocer offers free shipping on orders over $100. Go ahead, you can do it...

Food Allergy Show on Lifetime Televisions's Balancing Act

Tomorrow morning, Tuesday, Sept. 21, The Balancing Act, on Lifetime will feature a show on food allergies. The show airs from 7-8 am ET/PT. Set your TiVo, your DVR, or plan to grab a cup of coffee to watch it live. The program will feature Leandro de Armas, this year's Heart of FAAN Child Ambassador, and an interview with a father who lost his son as the result of a fatal food allergy reaction. FAAN’s Vice President of Research and General Counsel, Maria Acebal, will also speak. A demonstration of how to use an epinephrine auto-injector is part of the presentation.

This show is a great opportunity to inform and educate grandparents, friends and others about food allergy. Spread the word!

Food Allergy Friendly Basball Games and Food Allergy Contest

More and more peanut allergic individuals can sing, "Take me out to the ball game!" thanks to efforts of many to encourage ballparks to provide seating free of peanuts at some games. The Cleveland Indians are the latest to offer this opportunity. They're even power-washing and thoroughly cleaning that are of the stadium prior to the start of the game.

Part of the money from the tickets sold at the Indians Sept. 26 game will go to FAAN for food allergy research.

Go team! For more peanut-aware games, visit my friend Jennifer B's list.

Last day to enter: Ian's Party Give-Away. Be sure to join in the fun for an opportunity to throw a party with treats from Ian's.

Food Allergy and Teenagers

We've heard it before- death from anaphylaxis peaks during the teenage and young adult years.
This statement is enough to stop any parent cold in their tracks. After protecting our precious children for so many years, it's horrifying to think that they will be casual about their food allergies.

 A recent study in the U.K. involved questionaires and interviews of young people between the ages of 11-18 with food allergies. The research sought to understand the challenges faced by this group. The preiminary results of this study are out.

It seems that teenagers are not concerned with "may contain" labels, thinking it unlikely the food contains the allergen. They take thier epinephrine only if they think there may be a risk of a reaction. Many do not now what to do if they have a reaction.

We should not let this information shoch us into inaction. Instead, use it to have a dialog with your children. They must carry their medicine with them- ALWAYS. They must not eat anything that may be unsafe. They must know the steps to take if they think they may be having a reaction. Hook your tween/teen up with FAAN Teen where there is conversation among peers about how to manage food allergy during this critical time of development.
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You only have until this Friday to enter the Ian's Food Give-Away.

Food Allergy Friendly Restaurant: PF Changs

How great is this announcement? To recognize National Celiac Disease Awareness Day, PF Changs introduces another gluten free menu item- Triple Chocolate Mousse Mini-Dessert. This makes 29 gluten- free items in all. Check out the Gluten Free portion of their menu to find other great choices.

Plus, the very first sentence in PF Chang's "Nutritional Information" section states,

"Before placing your order, please inform a manager if a person in your party has a food allergy. Additionally, if a person in your party has a special dietary need (e.g., gluten intolerance), please inform your manager at the beginning of your visit. We will do our best to accommodate your needs."

I like it and hope other restaurants follow with similar accomodations. Have you had expereince eating at PF Changs with food allergy? Please share!

And, don't forget, you only have until this Friday to enter the Ian's Food Give-Away. Enter today!

Food Allergy Cookbook: Cooking for Isaiah

Silvana Nardone is Editor-in-Chief for Rachel Ray's magazine, Every Day With Rachel Ray. She is also the mother of a child who must avoid gluten and dairy. And, like all mothers do when they find out their child must avoid major food groups, Silvana started reading food labels differently and began cooking and baking differently. She has compiled her tried and true recipes, all of which are gluten and dairy free, into a new cookbook, Cooking for Isaiah. I recently had the opportunity to look through the book and try out many of the recipes.

First off, I must say, the book contains gorgeous pictures. From candid family shots to carefully orchestrated portraits of food, you can feel the love and deliciousness ooze through the pages. Another mentionable, is the descriptions which make up the titles of each recipe. This is not a book where one will find "banana pancakes". Oh no, this book has a recipe for "Banana Pancakes with Warm Cinnamon Goo". Now, that conjures up a whole different image, doesn't it? How about "Roasted Red Pepper-Crusted Salsa Meatloaf Pie with Tortilla Chip Crumbs"? No question about what's in this dish either. You'll salivate just reading the titles.

I made several recipes from the book. In our family, we can eat gluten and wheat, but we need to avoid eggs, along with dairy. Some of the recipes I followed exactly, and others I made the necessary substitutions.

Some of our favorites were Silvana's "Rosemary-Garlic Roast Chicken with Root Vegetables" (so easy and so satisfying) and "Sloppy Joe-Stuffed Potato Skins (perfect game-day fare). The "Spinach and Roasted Vegetable Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette" is perfect as an entree' or a side dish.

One night for dessert, I made "Penny's Apple-Brown Sugar Coffee Cake". It was heavenly. I must point out that I did use all-purpose wheat flour and I used eggs, as called for in the recipe. One morning I tried the aforementioned "Banana Pancakes with Warm Cinnamon Goo". I used all-purpose wheat flour and Egg Replacer®. The end result was pasty and gummy. This may be a recipe where there is less margin for substitutions.

All in all, I enjoy Cooking for Isaiah. It is certainly perfect for those who need to avoid gluten and dairy. I found it very easy to substitute wheat flour for the gluten-free flour recipe provided in the book. It may be less easy for those with egg allergy to make some of the recipes as many require multiple eggs. The book however does contain dozens of recipes that don't call for egg at all, or only use one egg, which is often easy to substitute. I always appreciate a cookbook that isn't filled with dishes slathered with cheese. and while this book does use nuts, often those can easily be omitted.

So, for all of us who have had the experience of saying to the doctor, "So, what can he(she) eat?", Silvana has provided another resource to help us make great food everyone can enjoy. you can find more info and recipes at her site, Dish Towel Diaries.

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Don't forget, you only have til this Friday to enter the Ian's Food Give-Away. Enter today!

Food Allergy Give-Away: Ian's Natural Foods Party Package Contest

The folks at Ian's Foods are offering a chance for Food Allergy Assistant blog readers to win an Allergen Free Food Party package to include Ian's pizza or chicken nuggets- enough for 14 people. They even provide the plates, utensils, napkins, invitations for each winner to send to guests, and fun stickers and tattoos.

It's a party in a box and sure to be fun for your family and friends!

Our family recently had the opportunity to try Ian's chicken tenders. They are free of wheat, gluten, dairy, egg, soy and nuts, but not free of flavor. Truly, they are yummy! I also love that they don't contain hydrogenated oils, refined sugars, preservatives or artificial colors or flavors. They are simply chicken with a satisfying crunchy coating.

Ian's Foods offers all natural, organic, allergy friendly foods for kids. Search by allergen and check out their products.

So, how do I get in on this awesome party give-away you ask? Here's what you need to do in 3 simple steps:

• Check out the Ian's Food contest rules.
• Sign-up for Ian's Super Fit Kid program.
• Post a comment on this blog. I'd love to hear about how you deal with the food restrictions in your family, but really any comment will do, "You're the best", "Have a great day", "I love a free contest"...whatever comes to mind.

You have until Friday, Sept. 17, 2010 to enter. Winners will be notified by Sept. 24. Good luck!

Food Allergy Support Group of Minnesota

Over seven years ago, nine families started a support group in Minnesota for people dealing with food allergy. This group has become one of the most active in the country. For food allergy families living in Minnesota, resources and events like the Food Allergy Resource Fair, to be held Sept. 25, 2010, are available at little or no cost. This Resource Fair, their fourth annual, brings food allergy vendors together with families who can try out new foods and products. Children have the opportunity to explore "under the sea" with the crew at Underwater Adventures, while their parents have an opportunity to learn at the  "Ask a Doctor" station. The Fair is free and open to the public.

For those who do not live in the Minnesota area, a look at the Food Allergy Support Group of Minnesota website provides answers to many food allergy questions and concerns. From  how to handle a new food allergy diagnosis, to accommodations that should be expected for food allergic students, the site is packed with useful tips and tools.

Thank you to all those behind the scenes powering the resources and tools of the Food Allergy Support Group of Minnesota. You provide a valuable service to MN families and others across the world.

Food Allergy Cookbook

I love cookbooks. I really love cookbooks with fabulous pictures. I really, really love a cookbook with fabulous pictures that is free. Even better, this free fabulous cookbook is filled with healthy, allergy friendly recipes.

It's a blue ribbon winner.

We have Alisha Fleming at One Frugal Foodie and Go Dairy Free to thank. She whipped this book together in two weeks after putting out a call for recipe submissions. An amazing accomplishment...

So, what are you waiting for? Check it out, download it and start creating your fabulous dishes.

Food Allergy Labels

You gotta love mom-inspired ideas!

Check out these simple and easy to make labels by mom and designer Kori Clark. They are simple to read and attention-grabbing- just perfect for grandparents, babysitters, older siblings and young children with food allergies.

Thanks for sharing Kori!

Food Allergy and 504 Plans at School

As I prepare for our annual 504 meeting with our school later this week, I am reminded about how far we have come. It was only in 2008, that Congress expanded the definition of who is eligible for federal protection. Now, individuals are protected- even if they don't suffer a disability all the time.

Prior to 2008, parents had to fight for any accommodations for their food allergic children at school. It was at the discretion of the school district how food allergy would be handled. When my child with food allergies entered school 5 years ago, we did not have any type of formal written agreement. The school did allow him to carry an EpiPen® (beginning in kendergarten) and a special food allergy table was established in the cafeteria. After a disappointing experience in 2nd grade, where he was excluded from making gingerbread houses with his grade due to his food allergy, we insisted on something more formal. We were offered an IHP, an Individualized Healthcare Plan.

The IHP was a document between us as parents and the school nurse. It was a good start, but not enough, as it didn't include key players within the school system like teachers, bus drivers and even the facilities and maintenance department (they're the only ones who knew the ingredients in the soap in dispensers near school sinks).

Enter last year and our first 504 Plan. We held a group meeting- parents, nurse, principal, guidance counselor, classroom teacher and head of facilities for the school district (also in charge of our bus company contract). Together we completed an individualized document to best meet my son's needs. This year my son will join the meeting and we will all work together to update the 504 Plan as needed.

The 504 Plan makes everything much easier because everyone, including the student, knows what they are responsible for. I like this recent article about 504 Plans for those who aren't familiar with federal protection for food allergic students.

 Are most of you using 504 Plans or do you use other documents or tools at school?

Food Allergy Ambassador Promotes FAAN Walks

Have you seen the 2010 Heart of FAAN Ambassodor, 7-year old Leandro speaking up about food allergies. He's got a PSA promoting the upcoming Miami Food Allergy Walk. While there, check out the 2010 Delaware FAAN Walk video.

FAAN walk events have begun.

The organization is 1/3 of the way toward their fundraising goal. Walks are scheduled in dozens of cities and there is even an online virtual walk.

Are you participating in a FAAN Walk this year? Let us know!

Food Allergy at School

Check out Linda Coss's article, "Attack of the Killer Peanut Butter Sandwiches". It offers a clear explanation to teachers and school administrators about how we all need to keep kids with food allergies safe. Linda encourages parents to share this piece with school officials when planning for the upcoming school year.

Allergy Book for Children

Allergy Tales: Making Friends

I recently had the opportunity to read Allergy Tales: Making Friends. This book is one of several written for, and about, children with food allergies. Author, Carey Shoemaker is the creator of ALLERGYONBOARD, an organization dedicated to promoting empowerment and positive self-esteem for children with food allergies.

Making Friends is the story of a young boy who moves to a new town. He worries that his food allergies may get in the way of making new friends.

I love the positive message in the story. Elementary school children will be able to read this book themselves- and it's not directed only at children with food allergies. It helps all children understand that food allergies are just one part of a whole person.

I think this book would be a great classroom or school library gift. It would also be a great tool for school nurses, guidance counselors or teachers who may be educating a classroom about food allergies.

We all work hard to balance the risks of food allergy with the message that our food allergic kids can, and should, participate in regular childhood experiences. Books like this one help show all children that food allergies are manageable, and that everyone has special things about them.

Has anyone else read Making Friends with their child?

Flu Vaccine Recommendations and Food Allergy

The FDA has approved flu vaccine for 2010-2011 in the United States. Vaccine is expected to be available beginning in September 2010. This year's vaccine will protect against 3 strains of influenza, including H1N1, which last year required a separate shot. The brand names and manufacturers are:

• Afluria, CSL Limited;
• Agriflu, Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics
• Fluarix, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals
• FluLaval, ID Biomedical Corporation
• FluMist, MedImmune Vaccines Inc.
• Fluvirin, Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited
• Fluzone and Fluzone High-Dose, Sanofi Pasteur Inc.

As flu vaccine is cultured in egg, there are risks for those with egg allergies. I list the names and manufacturers here because the composition of the vaccine varies according to manufacturer. It may be helpful to contact your doctor's office to find out which brand they will use allowing you to check the manufacturer website and read the package inserts.

As stated in the recently released "Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices", "

hypersensitivity reactions after receipt of vaccine are caused by the presence of residual egg protein in the vaccine). Although influenza vaccines contain only a limited quantity of egg protein, this protein can induce immediate hypersensitivity reactions among persons who have severe egg allergy. Persons who have documented IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to eggs might be at increased risk for allergic reactions to influenza vaccine, and consultation with a physician before vaccination should be considered.

A regimen, involving desensitization, has been developed for administering influenza vaccine to those with egg hypersensitivity.

This is a tough call for parents of egg allergic children and adults with egg allergy. There has been a lot of chatter on the topic on this blog and others.

Last year, our family got the vaccine, except for my egg allergic son. Instead, we chose to request a prescription for an antiviral drug (like Tamiflu®) to have on-hand in the event of the sudden appearance of flu symptoms. Another option is prophylactic use of antiviral agents, where antiviral drugs are taken over a period of time to protect against the flu.

This year...I don't know what we're doing. Recent reports indicate low risk of reactions when the flu vaccine was administered to those with egg allergy.

...uh huh, but this is my child....

Where are all of you with this decision?

Egg-free vaccines are available, but not yet approved in the U.S. Soon we may not have to make these tough choices.

Food Allergy Conference

FEAST (Food Allergy, Eczema, Asthma, Support Team) will hold their first food allergy conference on Saturday September 25, 2010 in Seattle Washington.



Linda Coss will  be giving the conference keynote address, “What You Need to Know about Food Allergy Management.” In this presentation she'll talk about some of the things that are in her “How To” book, such as recognizing and treating an allergic reaction, avoiding the dangers of cross-contamination, and more. In addition, she'll be discussing how parents can handle all of the day-to-day issues in such a way that their child grows up “well-adjusted” in spite of having potentially fatal food allergies.

Please spread the word about this conference. For more information, or to register, visit the conference website.

I received a related note directly from Linda:

As with all of my talks to the food allergy community, I will not be asking for a speaking fee for my participation in this conference. If you know of another volunteer-run food allergy support organization such as FEAST that needs a speaker for a conference, please let them know that I consider it an honor to be able to help other parents. All I ask is that the organization pay for my actual travel costs.

Food Allergy Desensitization Programs

Okay, its controversial, but I'm keeping a close eye on this. Dr. Richard Wasserman, a pediatric allergist in Dallas TX, has been using desensitization to treat food allergy in his private practice. Some patients have had great success, others, not so much. Food desensitization is handled in much the same way as traditional allergy therapy. Someone allergic to cat, dust, mold or oak trees is given increasing amounts of their allergen in the form of an allergy shot. Over time, most people can better tolerate the allergen. In Wasserman's practice, someone allergic to milk or eggs can be given tiny doses of the offending food in increasing amounts.

Dr. Wasserman admits that many allergists find his food allergy treatment too risky. There are a few other practices throughout the U.S. who perform oral desensitization for food allergy. However, most desensitization studies are currently in clinical trials.

Wasserman reports that the program takes place over many months and costs about $5000. A few insurance companies cover the cost.

Does anyone have direct experience with this treatment for food allergy?  I'd love to talk to some food allergy families who've contemplated, or gone through, a program like this.

Food Allergy and Dietitians

A new study by Jaffe Food Allergy Institute, at Mount Sinai School of Medicine concludes that pediatric dietitians self-reported their proficiency is only moderate when it comes to food allergy. Dietitians would prefer, and certainly benefit from, more training on food allergy.

Several years ago, our allergist's office hired a dietitian for individuals and families with food allergies. I set up an appointment looking for information on calcium and protein sources for our dairy, egg, nut allergic child. At the time we were also avoiding wheat, soy and corn and I was struggling with preparing balanced, nutritious meals and snacks. During the appointment, I was given hand-outs on specific food allergies. That's about it. She offered little helpful information and I felt like I educated her more than the other way around.

I'm not blaming the dietitian. I just think she was hired due to her credentials and wasn't given satisfactory training in food allergy. There is a need for dietitians who are food allergy savvy. Fortunately ELL and other organizations are stepping up to train dietitians.

Recent similar studies of school nurses and pediatricians have also shown they have limited, and sometimes incorrect, knowledge of food allergies. Those of us in the food allergy circle can help by educating our own school nurses and doctors. Rather than feel upset over their lack of knowledge, pass on relevant research, books and food allergy conference/workshop information. We can all play a role in education.