Food Allergy Message from Trace Adkins

Country music star, Trace Adkins, has posted a public service announcement on YouTube. While it doesn't give much new information to those of us food allergy veterans, it is a fun to link to share with friends and family.

Check it out and pass it on!

Food Allergy and EpiPens

So, a new study shows that an increased number of us are accidentally poking ourselves with epinephrine auto-injectors. Well, at least teenagers are. The study, with data from 1994-2007, didn't give information about the circumstances of these accidents.

I suspect that as more people carry and use auto-injectors, we'll see more accidents.

The recommendation is improved design of the auto-injector and better training. EpiPen® has a new design. Have you seen it yet? It does seem to be easier to hold. When this new one expires, I'll try it out in an orange- taking great care not to inject myself!

Food Allergy Friendly Baseball

It's baseball season again (Go Phillies!) and I need to give a shout out to Jennifer over at Food Allergy Buzz. She also writes Free to Enjoy Baseball, which is a listing of baseball teams and games that have made special accommodations for those with peanut and other food allergy.

So make plans this spring or summer to take in a game- safely. If your team doesn't offer food allergy friendly games, contact them through their website and ask them to consider it. If you hear of any special games, shoot the info over to Jennifer (e-mail: jennifer@foodallergybuzz.com)so she can list it on her site for everyone's benefit.

Time to play ball!!!!

Cookie Contest Winner

For all you cookie lovers out there, a new allergy friendly cookie will soon be on the market. Congratulations to Elizabeth Ilson of Tarpon Springs, Florida with her Double Chocolate Brownie Bites. The contest was co-sponsored by FAAN and Divvies.

Here's the full press release.

Participating in Food Allergy Studies

With so many food allergy studies going on, researchers are actively recruiting individuals to participate. Those interested in being a part of a clinical study can look at lists of ongoing studies at Clinical Trials.gov. This organization is a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Read Understanding Clinical Trials to get a full appreciation of the commitment involved in a study.

FAAN (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network) also maintains a list of current study needs.

It's a big decision to participate in a study. It's even bigger when deciding if you should allow your child to do so. Give it careful consideration and make the best decision for your family.

Allergic Living Magazine: The Future of Food Allergy

Have you gotten a copy of Allergic Living's 5th Anniversary Collector's Edition? It's a must-read! I was lucky enough to borrow a copy from my library.

The article about the future of food allergies is full of great information and HOPE. From peanut allergy vaccines to tests for anaphylaxis to herbal formulas, there are numerous studies going on right now. With the idea that one fix won't work for all, researchers are coming at food allergy from all angles. The search is on for individualized treatments when it comes to treating and curing food allergy.

There is another fantastic article that looks at how plastics and pollutants affect allergies and asthma. Yet another article looks at how to help your food allergic child become an empowered restaurant diner. Cybele Pascal's The Allergen-Free Baker's Handbook was featured in this issue as well with her recipe for Red Velvet Cake with Velvet Frosting. The picture looks good enough to eat and I plan on trying this recipe out soon. I'll let you know.

If you can't get your hands on a copy of this issue, check out Allergic Living's website for an inside preview and subscription information.

Food Allergy Awareness Week

It's that time of year again. Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) is holding the 13th annual awareness week May 9-15. This year's title is Respect Every Bite and FAAN's site offers some great ways to commemorate Food Allergy Awareness Week. Check it out for sample presentations directed to elementary schools, teens or corporate settings. Find a link to petition your state for a proclamation. Download and print resources to educate others about food allergy.

Go ahead...May 9 will be here before you know it. Plan now!

Fish Allergy

So the other day while I was on the treadmill watching a recently taped Dr. Oz (hey, I find it motivating to exercise during Dr. Oz. At least I'm doing one thing right!), he mentioned reactions to fish. It was during a segment on what to order and what to avoid in restaurants. The discussion was that fish served in a restaurant is often "expired", or ahem...a little past it's freshness date. Beware as these are often listed on the "specials" menu. It turns out that "expired fish" releases histamine, which can cause a reaction characterized by increased heart rate, rash and hives.

This occurrence leaves the diner with the impression they have a fish allergy.

Not so.

The diagnosis is histamine fish poisoning. The symptoms are strictly related to consuming fish that has been improperly refrigerated for a period of time. The treatment is antihistamines, based on the severity of the reaction. Symptoms generally subside within 6 hours.

Of course fish allergy is real and presents with many of the same symptoms. Talk to a medical care provider if there are any concerns of a true fish allergy.

Spring Allergy Season

Many people with food allergies also deal with environmental allergies. Check out some of my articles for information about dealing with spring pollen, dust and other environmental allergies:

Spring Allergies talks about pollen counts and how to decrease allergy symptoms when the counts are highest this spring.

Symptoms for Flu, Allergies and the Common Cold addresses how to tell the differences between these three common ailments and what to do when you're feeling sick.

Mold Allergy Symptoms and Prevention describes mold and the symptoms of an allergy to it. The article further describes ways to prevent indoor mold and minimize exposure to outdoor mold.

Cutting down on dust in the bedroom and using a good vacuum cleaner help people to deal with dust allergy.

For those sniffling and sneezing their way through another spring, talk to your doctor about ways to decrease these annoying symptoms. Allergy shots or allergy drops may be another option if symptoms are interfering on a daily basis. Don't suffer needlessly. Find out what works best for you or your child.

Allergy On Board is a Food Allergy Resource

There's a new company available to help families cope with food allergy. Allergy On Board offers t-shirts and books for children with food allergies.

The t-shirts are quite adorable and use the slogan "allergy on board" to convey the message that the wearer has a food allergy. It's a positive message that gets the point across without being pushy or negative.

I like it!

Shirts are available in sizes 2T-4T for a variety of individual food allergies and some common combos as well. Keep an eye on Allergy On Board as they will continue to expand their t-shirt and book collection.

Allergy Eats Helps Those With Food Allergies

Paul is a dad of kids with food allergies. He's a busy man who set his sights on making it easier for families with food allergy to eat out. The result is a new online guide called Allergy Eats.

The concept is simple- people who deal with food allergies share information with one another by rating restaurants. It's a peer review system and it only works if everyone contributes.

Right now the majority of the reviews appear to be in the greater Boston area. So, the rest of us need to hop on over and rate the restaurants in our area. Who better to give commentary about the food allergy friendliness of a restaurant than a food allergy family? Let's share our experiences.

Food Allergy Business Highlighted

Dina Clifford, founder of Beyond a Peanut, was featured in an article on Entrepreneur.com. The article encourages people to start a business related to something they are passionate about. Dina has a child with food allergies and she is passionate about educating children and others about food allergy.

Congratulations on the mention in the article, Dina. Thank you for your passion to educate others.

Food Allergic Should Have Double Dose of Epinepherine Available

So the latest recommendation is that people with food allergies should be carrying two doses of their life-saving epinephrine. This is the conclusion of researchers at Children's Hospital Boston after a six year study. Dr. Rudders headed the study and says, "Until we're able to clearly define the risk factors for the most severe reactions, the safest thing may be to have all children at risk for food-related anaphylaxis carry two doses of epinephrine".

It was also discovered during the course of this research that many emergency rooms are treating food allergy reactions with antihistamines and steroids, rather than epinephrine. Rudders explains that "these findings may be due to lack of a universal understanding of anaphylaxis in the ED (emergency department) before 2006". She goes on to say that she hopes her study will move things forward in this area.

The entire study was written up in the April 2010 journal of Pediatrics.