New Device to Help Those with Food Allergy Eat Safely

New Smartphone Device

The iTube may turn any smart phone into a testing lab for food allergens. Professor Aydogan Ozcan, recently named "one of the world's most brilliant innovators" by Popular Science, is working on a small device that can identify allergens in food products. The smartphone attachment weighs just two ounces and uses the phone's built-in camera to turn images into measurements to show how much of an allergen (such as egg, peanut, etc.) is in the food product.

Now, this isn't quite as simple as taking a picture of a cookie. It involves grinding up the food and mixing in some water and some reactive agents in a test tube...and then taking the picture. The process takes about 20 minutes. The product was recently introduced in the journal, Lab on a Chip and NY Daily News offers a picture and article. 

I love the potential this has both at home and while eating out. Twenty minutes is not so long if you're placing a restaurant order. Instead of playing with sugar packets, food allergy families can pull out the test tubes and check menu items for safety. Hmmmm...I think there's a potential for a new game here...

It's not on the market yet, but is this something you would buy?

Small Intestine May Play Large Role in Food Allergy

In March, I talked about research related to dendritic cells and food allergies in a post called, "New Discovery May Help Food Allergic".  Last week, Massachusetts General released a new study focused on dendritic cells in the intestinal lining. They discovered that these cells collect antigens from both intestinal contents and the blood stream, leading to the generation of T cells that suppress inflammation. Researchers believe that the suppression of inflammation could bring about the inappropriate immune response characteristic of autoimmune disorders, inflammatory bowel disease and food allergies. Controlling T cell activation in the intestine may play a role in understanding food allergies.

Take a look at the complete press release, Intestinal immune cells play an unexpected role in immune surveillance of the bloodstream, for more detailed information. This study was supported by several National Institutes of Health grants.

Food Allergy Friendly Holiday Cookies

Christmas Cookies

It's that time of year. I've pulled out my allergy friendly go-to holiday cookie recipe cards and I'm heading into the kitchen. I've borrowed recipes from others or adapted old favorites to meet our needs of milk, egg and nut-free. Many of these work well with your favorite gluten-free flour too. No one will ever suspect that these cookies are missing anything. They are all so delicious!

• When a chocolate cookie recipe comes from the Hershey Kitchens, I figure you can't go wrong. This recipe for Deep Dark Chocolate Cookies is easy to adapt. I use dairy-free margarine and I substitute the 2 eggs with a mixture of 3 Tablespoons water, 3 Tablespoons canola oil and 2 teaspoons of baking powder. I use dairy-free chips and eliminate the nuts. Simply divine!
• Food Allergy Mama's Chocolate Crinkles are already dairy, egg, nut free and yummy.
• This classic Oatmeal Raisin Cookie recipe by Sunmaid is another staple on my cookie tray. Again, I use a dairy-free margarine and substitute the one egg with a mixture of 1 1/2 Tablespoons water+ 1 1/2 Tablespoons canola oil and 1 teaspoon baking powder.
• Snickerdoodles always remind me of Christmas. Ummmm...that smell of cinnamon sugar baking...Sue W.'s recipe is also easily changed by using dairy-free margarine and substituting the 2 eggs with a mixture of 3 Tablespoons water, 3 Tablespoons canola oil and 2 teaspoons of baking powder.
• One of our new favorites is the 2010 FAANtastic Divvies Cookie Contest Winner. Libby, the creator of Double Chocolate Brownie Bites has also provided a gluten-free version of her recipe.

Happy baking...and eating! What cookies will you bake this season?

Could Tap Water Bring on Food Allergies?

What's in Your Tap Water?

Does the recent ACAAI study linking pesticides and food allergy have you eyeing up your glass of water a bit differently?

I'm still digesting this week's news about a link between a chemical that is used in pesticides and in the chlorination of tap water to an increase in food allergies.

The whole hygiene theory hasn't been sitting well with me (no, we're not overly clean. There is plenty of dust in my house, thank you.), and the idea that environmental changes have lead to the explosion in the food allergy rate does make some sense.

This particular study involved over 2100 people and measured their urine levels of dichlorophenols.  The results showed that people with higher levels of dichlorophenols were more likely to have food allergies.  Dichlorophenols, in case you were not aware (yeah, I never heard of them either) are chemicals found in pesticides used in farming and chemicals used to chlorinate water.

"Our research shows that high levels of dichlorophenol-containing pesticides can possibly weaken food tolerance in some people, causing food allergy," said lead study author Elina Jerschow, MD, in a release from the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. She further noted that previous studies have shown that food allergies and environmental pollution are increasing in the United States and this research may show a link between the two.

Researchers are quick to point out that further study is needed in this area and that pesticides or tap water do not necessarily cause food allergies.

Another piece of the food allergy puzzle perhaps...

 

New Eczema App Helps Track and Record Flare-Ups

Help for Eczema Sufferers

People with food allergies often deal with other allergic conditions such as eczema. There is a new app available for Apple and Android users to help track and record symptom. the app also provides the latest news on eczema. This tool is especially helpful for parents of kids with eczema as well as adults with the condition who are trying to determine the cause of skin flare-ups. 

Eczema affects up to 20% of infants and 3% of children and adults. This itchy skin condition can flare-up for a variety of reasons including certain foods, certain materials or fabrics, household products such as soap, animal dander and even temperature changes. By tracking symptoms, people with eczema can more effectively manage and treat this condition.

The Eczema App is sponsored by Bayer Health Care, maker of Desonate, a topical steroid to treat eczema. While the app does promote Desonate as a treatment, users of the app should talk to their doctor about the best treatment for their condition.

New Flu Vaccine is not Cultured on Eggs

Egg Allergy and Flu Shots

The FDA has finally approved a flu vaccine that is not cultured in egg protein. Flucelvax is produced using cultured animal cells. While the vaccine has not been tested on egg allergic people, the idea is that this would be a safe vaccine for those with egg allergy. It is currently only approved for people 18 and older. 

For kids with egg allergy, the regular flu vaccine is typically safe. Talk to your allergist or doctor about the benefits and risks of your egg allergic child being given the vaccine. Allergists can often administer the flu vaccine under controlled conditions in their office.

Annual Meeting of ACAAI Always Delivers

Spice Allergy

While I don't attend the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), I always look forward to the information that comes out of it. This year we learned more about food allergies. Did you see these headlines from the conference?

• Living with Spice Allergies
• Higher Family Income Linked to Higher Peanut Allergy Rates
• Baked Egg Tolerance
• Epinephrine Use Under-Utilized by Paramedics
• More Allergists are Using Twitter

You can catch up on all the tweets from the annual meeting that wrapped up on November 13. Check out the program guide for a complete listing of all events and sessions. From "Getting Comfortable With Off-the-Beaten-Track Food Allergies" to "Food Allergy: Controversies in Diagnosis" the field of food allergy got a lot of attention at this year's conference.

FARE is a Great Name for the Recently United Food Allergy Organizations

The Wedding of FARE

DJ Announcer: ..."Now, may I please have your attention as we welcome the new couple, F.A.R.E.! Please join me in congratulating the happy reunion!"

Vigorous applause erupts from the crowd.

A sniffle or two can be heard from the crowd as guest realize that things will never be the same again.

We will know longer refer to FAAN, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, or to FAI, Food Allergy Initiative. They are no longer single, but have joined together to form a bond to transcend what either was before.

I really like the new name, although I'm sure I'll slip a time or two and use the maiden name of one of the organizations. F.A.R.E. stands for Food Allergy Research and Education. I am pleased with the emphasis on research and education. As the rate of food allergies continues to increase, there are more people, restaurants, food manufacturers, schools, hospitals and other organizations requiring education and support. Those of us closely connected to food allergy need better answers about treatment and cures, so I hope to see that in the near future.

You can read all the details of the merger here. The new logo will be revealed in early 2013 and the new website will reside at www.foodallergy.org.

I just want to know who got to wear the beautiful gown...



 

New Package and Label on Wegman's Chocolate Chips

Dairy Free Chocolate Chips

 Wegmans traded in it's old brown chocolate chip bag for a spiffy red and white striped package that reminds me of a circus tent. That's not all they changed, though. Their allergen label is different too. The old label said: 

"Contains Soy. Manufactured in a plant that processes products that contain milk."

The new label is simpler: "Contains Soy"

Hmmmm...did they just drop off the sentence about milk or did they change manufacturing plants? I did what any good food allergy detective does and called Wegmans to find out.

"Good question," I was told. "Someone else called and asked the same thing (there must be a bunch of food allergy detectives out there!), so I have the answer from our Quality Control Director."

"There has been a change in manufacturing practices so the chocolate chips are no longer made in a plant that processes products containing milk."

So, there you have it. The label is correct and if you've been loking for a truly dairy-free chocolate chip, Wegmans fits the bill!

Updated Info on Auvi-Q Epinephrine Injectors

I have been informed that Auvi-Q will not be distributing their epinephrine injectors until the first quarter of 2013.

From the company's PR rep:

"Sanofi has been working hard the past two months to build ample supply of the device to meet the anticipated demand for the product and to help ensure nationwide distribution...manufacturing is occurring following FDA approval to help ensure that when a patient or caregiver does fill a prescription for Auvi-Q, he or she receives a product with an adequate expiration date."

For additional information on this new product, check out the Auvi-Q site. From there you can watch a demo and sign up to be informed when the product becomes available.

There will soon be an alternative to the familiar EpiPen...and this new one talks you through the injection process. Stay tuned.

Virginia Schools Administer EpiPen Twice in Two Weeks

EpiPens at School

School nurses at two Prince William County high schools in Virginia may have saved lives recently when they administered epinephrine in separate incidents. On September 18, a high school junior went to the school nurse with itching and hives after eating. When it was determined that the student was beginning to have trouble breathing, the nurse administered the EpiPen and called an ambulance. On September 26, at another high school in the district, a student went to the nurse saying he felt like his "throat was closing up". The nurse used the EpiPen and called 911.

A new Virginia law requires EpiPens to be stocked in each public school in the state. The state budget included $200,000 for epinephrine pens in public schools in time for the 2012-2013 school year. Prince William County schools spent time over the summer setting policies for use of the EpiPens and they trained designated staff members to administer the life-saving medication in each school building.

Training of school staff and quick access to epinephrine is critical in keeping food allergic students safe. New York is the only state in the U.S. that still hasn't passed a law allowing students to carry their own medications at school. Only a handful of states require schools to stock epinephrine. Individual schools may stock the medication, even if it is not required by law. 

Check with your school district to find out their policy and go to FAAN's "School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act" to see how you can help your state. Above all, make sure your school knows about your child's allergies and that your child knows to ask for help if they "feel funny" or believe they may be having an allergic reaction.

How Colleges Manage Food Allergies

I recently had the opportunity to eat in a college dining hall (it's been awhile!). While there, I talked to the food services staff about how they handle food allergies. Here's what I learned:

• Most U.S. colleges use one of two food services companies- Aramark and Sodexo. Both are accustomed to, and comfortable dealing with, special dietary needs of college students.
• Colleges have departments and staff to deal with special needs, including food allergy. You need to ask the college to direct you to the right area/person.
• As students turn 18, privacy laws change and colleges may not be allowed to release information to parents. This can be a huge stressor for parents so accustomed to being involved in Healthcare Plans, 504 Plans and meetings with the school nurse, teachers and school staff.

During my recent dining hall visit, I noticed a Silk soy milk dispenser near the dairy milk dispenser. I also saw allergen signs near foods containing common allergens such as nuts and peanuts. One employee told me they serve about 300 custom meals a day- and this was a small campus! He said that some of his students with food allergies go right into the kitchen and the cook will make them whatever they need/want.

During my visit, I felt that food allergies were taken very seriously and that the dining staff was very supportive of students with special dietary concerns. It is important that we empower our food allergic kids to speak up about what they need and make sure they know who they can go to on campus if they encounter any problems.

Take a look at one mom's essay, Food Allergies and College: Making it Work.

The reason for my recent college visit was a requirement in a certification program I'm completing to be an Independent Educational Consultant. I hope you'll visit my website, My College Helper, for information and services for those families with college on the horizon. I will keep my food allergy readers posted on what I find out about colleges and how they handle food allergies.

Food Allergy Testing

We stopped doing skin and blood tests for food allergies about three years ago. Frankly, we got mixed results each time and the more information I read, the less convinced I was that we were getting any helpful information from either type of test. We have continued food challenges, but even those results are often unclear. It becomes hard to separate what is physical and what is brought on by stress.

I am encouraged with new testing options available. Many are not covered by insurance plans, but it may be helpful to learn more and discuss with your allergist. Here's what I've seen recently:

• uKnow Peanut Molecular Allergy Test- this one costs $300 and is not covered by insurance
• Food Detective- can test a person’s reaction against 59 common food types. Recently approved for use in India, it is not currently approved by the FDA for use in the United States. This test requires a finger prick for testing. You can see the video for more information.
• Measurement of Specific Enzyme-  "If it proves to be as useful as the early trials suggest, it is likely to become the gold standard for diagnosis of severe allergic reactions around the world.' said Dr Mich Lajeunesse, a member of the clinical research team about the new blood test that measures levels of an enzyme called CPA3.

 As food allergy rates continue to rise, I suspect we'll see more and more diagnostic tests available. If you haven't been in touch with your allergist lately about newer testing options, check in to find out what's new. Please share if you have any personal experience with tests beyond the traditional skin and RAST (blood) tests.

Food Allergy Friendlier Busch Gardens and Sea World

Sea World Orlando

Disney has taken the lead in trying to make traveling to their parks easier for food allergies. I've written about dining at Disney in the past and you can find some helpful information in planning your Disney vacation at My Magic Journeys . I'm thrilled to see that SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Sesame Place, and several other amusement parks owned by their parent company, have taken steps to make their parks food allergy friendly. By partnering with FAAN, the parks now have over 6000 trained culinary team members available to ensure that guests with food allergies can dine safely while visiting. Divvies has even created a chocolate shaped Shamu so people allergic to dairy, eggs, soy, peanuts and tree nuts can enjoy a safe treat at the park.

Love that!

Read all about theses new allergen-friendly initiatives.

Low Allergy Milk

Milk Safe for Milk Allergic?

I'll admit that I'm a little wigged out about genetically modified foods. For right now, my opinion is that I want it clearly marked so consumers can make their own choices. That said, I'm intrigued by the news of a genetically modified cow that can produce milk without beta-lactoglobulin - a whey protein to which some people are allergic.

Researchers were able to interfere with the RNA of a cow, that went on to birth a calf that doesn't produce milk with any detectable beta-lactoglobulin. (Said calf was also born without a tail, but researchers believe that is unrelated to the genetic modifications...still wigged out). Researchers will now watch to see if the genetic modification will be passed on through future cow generations.

Of course more research is needed and low allergy milk will probably not be found in grocery dairy cases in the near future. Read the abstract in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (full text copies may be purchased) and check out the article in the BBC that originally caught my attention. The ability to remove the protein that is causing allergic reactions is appealing to me as long as it is done safely and ethically. We shall see where this leads...

In Case You Missed It: September Food Allergy Blog Carnival

When I started this blog nearly five years ago, there weren't many of us writing about our food allergy experiences. I am now honored to be among the company of so many talented and knowledgeable bloggers. 

In case you missed the most recent Food Allergy Blog Carnival, head on over to the site of our September host, Grateful Foodie, and read up on what's happening in the food allergy world. Everything from recipes to the latest information on Auvi-Q to dating with food allergies can be found among the many and varied articles. 

Great work y'all!

Food Allergy Treatment Definitions

Peanut Allergy

As I reported last week, we've been presented with the exciting opportunity to participate in a sublingual immunotherapy program for peanut allergy. As I've begun discussing this opportunity with others, I'm finding a good deal of confusion, both within the food allergy community and beyond, about potential food allergy treatments. The two most promising possible treatments available today are sublingual immunotherapy and oral immunotherapy. Here are a few important definitions when we talk about "food allergy treatments":

Immunotherapy is the process of giving small doses of what a person is allergic to in order to increase tolerance and build immunity to reduce the likelihood of an allergic reaction

In sublingual immunotherapy (also known as SLIT) the allergic person will hold the food extract under the tongue for a short period of time (our allergist's protocol is two minutes) and then swallow it. The dose will be gradually increased over time. Our process will be one office visit every two weeks and daily doses at home at the same level between those office visits. The entire process will take place over 7 months. Following SLIT, patients may participate in a food challenge, or may be recommended for an oral immunotherapy program.

In oral immunotherapy (OIT), an allergic individual swallows a small amount of the food they are allergic to. Treatment begins with a diluted form of the food and is gradually increased during office visits and at home

There are pros and cons to any type of treatment program. I encourage anyone considering SLIT or OIT to do your own research and make the best decision you can for your family. Some will go with a wait and see approach and not take any action right now. Others will decide to move ahead in these still unchartered areas. Here are a few articles and links to get you started if you are considering either method:

Oral Immunotherapy Not Ready for Prime Time, by Dr. Hugh Sampson. In the comments that follow the article, many parents of children who have successfully gone through OIT speak out.

Is Sublingual or Oral Immunotherapy better for Treatment of Food Allergy, published in February 2012 by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), concluded that neither are optimal. That said, at the March 2012 AAAI annual meeting, presenters offered new research about SLIT and OIT that showed promise and results for both.

It is obvious that things are moving quickly in this area. If you are considering SLIT or OIT, I encourage you to talk to your doctor, read the research and talk to other parents who have been through this. As we move through the SLIT program, I'll keep you apprised of our progress.  If you are interested in talking to someone who has been through OIT, shoot me an email (food allergyassistant@gmail.com) or leave a comment and I can get you in touch with someone.

School Bans Packed Lunches Containing Dairy or Eggs

School Lunches

My heart goes out to the community featured in this article at The Record. The piece, titled "Father of Boy with Severe Food Allergies Says He Never Intended to Restrict what Other Children Can Eat", seems to have turned into a huge misunderstanding.

The main characters are a well-meaning dad of a food allergic kindergartener, a seemingly sympathetic, well meaning school board and a bunch of parents caught totally off-guard.

Reportedly, a letter went out a few days before the start of school to all kindergarten parents. It stated that "their children could not bring dairy items or food containing eggs in their lunches because of a kindergarten child who has an anaphylactic reaction to those foods". In addition, these parents were given a list of acceptable items including soy yogurt, vegan margarine, whole grain bread, some lunch meats and brands of cookies. There was also a list of stores where these items could be purchased.

No wonder the dad's upset and feels like this has turned into a spectacle for his child and the other parents are mad. The school board is saying, "no comment".

This is the kind of scenario all food allergy parents fear. Fortunately, it's not typical, and with good communication, can usually be avoided.  We've had a great experience dealing with our school district throughout the years.

My advice is to start the communication the spring before the start of school. Meet with the principal and school nurse and any other school staff that may be helpful. Find out what measures are already in place and how food allergies have been managed in the past. Use this as an information seeking session.  After you've gathered all of the information, determine what your child needs and request a healthcare plan. In the U.S., a 504 Plan makes the most sense. In other countries, including Canada, there are similar plans available under other names. Regardless of the name, you are looking to protect your child in the least restrictive way. The plan needs to clearly state who does what and who is responsible for what. Everyone's rights need to be considered and respected.Try to be open and flexible during the process. Everyone wants what is best for the citizens of the school.

I hope for this little kindergartener's sake, the community mentioned in the article can come together and do what is best for all.

Baby's Eczema and Food Allergy

Egg Allergy and Eczema

What a difference a decade makes. Back in the day, parents of babies with eczema were advised of the food allergy march: itchy, angry skin, leading to food allergies and to asthma. I remember our doctor saying "eczema is linked to egg allergy". As a result, we were advised to told to postpone highly allergenic foods, such as eggs, milk and nuts, for several years.

So we did, and as later skin and blood tests confirmed those food allergies, avoidance, we were told, was key. 

In a recent Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Australian researchers pointed to a genetic link between allergies and eczema. The study, by Murdoch Childrens Research Institute in Melbourne, found that babies with changes to the filaggrin gene had a higher chance of a positive skin prick test to egg allergy.

Now here's the interesting part, those babies with the changed fillagrin gene and the positive skin test to egg allergy who were then given egg at an early age, had a decreased risk for developing a "ful-blown" egg allergy. Delaying the introduction of egg (which many of us were told to do) actually increased the risk of egg allergy.

It seems that there may be a skin sensitivity to food proteins, but not necessarily a gut sensitivity. Many doctors are now suggesting early introduction of egg, milk and other typical food allergens in order to develop tolerance.

What's a parent to do? Talk to your doctor. Make sure they are up on the latest research- this is new information. If your baby has eczema or you are concerned about food allergy, see an allergist sooner, rather than later.

Peanut Allergy Immunotherapy Has Arrived

Food Allergy Sublingual Therapy

It seems fitting that my 500th Food Allergy Assistant post is one of hope and anticipation.

The letter was addressed "To the parents of...". The return label was from the allergist's office. The envelope was thick and indeed contained the long-awaited announcement.

"Our office has begun peanut sublingual immunotherapy. Do you want to participate?"

Well, yes...but. It turns out we have lots of questions and some logistics to figure out. The office requires a commitment of a two hour appointment every two weeks. Between appointments, we administer the serum at home. There can be no eating for 15 minutes before serum is given and then no eating for 30 minutes after.

It's a lot to ask of a kid.

And then there's the cost. I've seen figures upwards to $3000. Some insurance companies cover it, others don't. It appears that the serum is currently not covered.

We're being offered sublingual immunotherapy or SLIT. This is the process of placing a food extract under the tongue. This is not to be confused with oral immunotherapy (OIT), which is also being actively studied. OIT means increasing amounts of allergenic foods are fed to an allergic individual. This method had a high level of anaphylactic reactions in the past. According to the information we were given, less than 1% of individuals participating in SLIT have experienced allergic reactions.

The next step for me is a little more research, a call to the insurance company and a call to the allergist's office with our questions. I am cautiously excited and will keep you posted on our decision and progress.

A Little Market Competition for EpiPens

EpiPens by Mylar

Holy smokes! I just paid $44 for our back-to school EpiPens! A few years ago, I paid $10.

Now believe me, I'm always happy to give our unused pens to the doctor's office (although we first inject them in an orange for practice before turning them in). I'd rather pay and not have to use the epinephrine, than have a medical emergency requiring their use; however, with no competition, no matter how high the price may go, many of us are going to pay it.

We must. It's the only thing we've got in an emergency.

Things may change this fall when Sanofi introduces Auvi-Q and again in 2015 when Teva puts out a generic EpiPen (pending FDA approval).

We'll see. I was hopeful that Twinject may have been a competitor to the EpiPen in terms of pricing, but that hasn't happened. In this NY Times article, "Tiny Lifesaver for a Growing Worry",

an analyst at Cowen & Company questioned whether parents would be willing to switch to a different brand in such life-or-death situations, saying, “parents may want the real thing".

So, I'm wondering...are you willing to try something new or are you sticking with the tried and true EpiPen? Are you excited about Auvi-Q?  Are you buying fewer EpiPens as the prices have increased?

Newer Blood Tests for Food Allergies

This heart-lifting story from the Boston Globe tells about an 11-year-old getting the news that her blood test showed that she's not allergic to nuts, peanuts, other legumes and some fruits like she thought she was. Nope, she's really allergic to birch pollen and that rarely causes an anaphylactic reaction. So, on the way home from the doctor's office, she had her mom stop at the store to buy peanut butter, which she describes as "amazing".

While I'm having trouble finding anything about this "new experimental blood test" cited in the article (anyone know anything about it?), I've long been aware of pollen allergies causing food allergy-type symptoms. Personally, I find I get an itchy mouth when I eat certain foods such as raisins and apples during September- or ragweed season as I refer to this month. We've seen similar things with my food allergic child.

One of my go-to allergy books, Allergy Cooking With Ease, by Nicolette M. Dumke lists food family tables. It was in her book that I discovered that almond is really in the plum family. My nut allergic child eats almonds without any problems. Here's an in-depth article, "Molecular Properties of Plant Food Allergens: A Current Classification into Protein Families" that further outlines the classification of plant-derived food allergens. If blood tests are able to distinguish what is a true food allergy from allergies to pollens or plants, we may be able to cross some foods-to-avoid off the list.

Has anyone had experience with these new blood tests? Are you able to eat certain foods in a family but not others- like avoiding peanuts, but can eat peas (both in leguminosae family) or avoiding tree nuts, but can eat almonds?

I just think this is another piece of the food allergy puzzle...

Pinning for Food Allergies

Food Allergy Pinterest Board

Nope, not pining for food allergies (who would do that?!), but pinning for food allergies on Pinterest has become all the rage. If you're not on Pinterest because you are waiting to be invited, the wait is over. A few weeks ago, Pinterest opened their doors to everyone. Just sign up here with your Facebook, Twitter or email account.

Do I really need another social media outlet? My thoughts exactly, but I can say that I enjoy the visual boards and find information on Pinterest that I'm not finding elsewhere. How about this Food Allergy Detector from knegadesign.com? Interesting idea that might be something to keep an eye on in the future. Just search "food allergies" for tons of printables, recipes and products. It's a virtual bulletin board and a fun, visual way to keep track of information. Come visit!

Sonoma Rose (Elm Creek Quilts) and Celiac Disease

I've long enjoyed The Elm Creek Quilt series by Jennifer Chiaverini. The memorable characters and beautifully described settings make Jennifer's books a delightful read. Most recently, I read Sonoma Rose, a story set in California wine country during the Prohibition. All readers will anguish as the main character Rosa watches her children go from healthy babies to poorly thriving children. Many of you will begin to follow the clues as I did to an eventual diagnosis of celiac disease. While doctors tell Rosa to feed her children "wholesome white bread" to make them stronger, she goes on a quest to find better answers as the health of her children deteriorates.

I found it fascinating to read about the early history and treatment of celiac. In the 1920's, the banana diet was the only treatment for the disease. As this included the elimination of all bread, crackers and cereals, the treatment was effective for those correctly diagnosed with celiac. For a timeline history of celiac, check out Destiny Stone's article on Celiac.com. For a fun, informative read, settle in with Jennifer Chiavernini's Sonoma Rose.

Invitation to a Food Allergy Party

It's irreverent and hilarious! Check out Michael Bihovsky's "One Grain More", a parody of the challenges faced by the food allergy community. This video,  highlights celiac disease and the difficulties making and finding gluten-free foods. The music is divine, the singing fantastic and the message is clear: It's tough having food allergies!
After you finish laughing, don't start to cry, there are some wonderful gluten-free resources available:

• National Foundation for Celiac Awareness
• Books like  "Gluten - Free Makeovers" and "Paleo Comfort Foods Homestyle Cooking in a Gluten-Free Kitchen"
• Products like Gluten Free Pantry 26556 Beth All Purpose Baking Flour and Augason Farms Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Brownie Mix - 6 pk

Epinephrine in Credit Card Sized Case

It's here!!!! I've had my eye on this new product for awhile and finally FDA approval has been announced. Auvi-Q™ offers people who carry epinephrine a new device style. This compact epinephrine auto-injector is credit card sized and the thickness of a smartphone. It easily fits into a pocket (great for boys!) or small purse.

A cool feature I wasn't expecting is that this new device offers audio cues.

Yup, it talks to you!

When the device is pulled from the carrying case, a calm female voice walks the user through all the steps of the injection process. What a great help for babysitters, teachers, grandparents and others who may be unfamiliar with (and nervous about) using an auto-injector for anaphylaxis.

Oh, and the injector only stays in the outer thigh for five seconds (which the calm voice will count down calmly), rather than 10 seconds like the traditional EpiPen. Five seconds may not seem like much of a difference, but every second feels like forever when you're in the midst of an anphylactic reaction.

I'll be checking with my insurance company to see if they cover the new device and with my pharmacy to see if they carry it. Let me know if you're able to get it.

Read all about Sanofi's release of Auvi-Q (and check out a demo) here.

Free EpiPens for Schools

EpiPens for Schools

This spring I wrote that our school buildings now have stock epinephrine available for anyone who experiences an anaphylactic reaction.

Great news!

I received news today that schools can apply for free EpiPens through the EpiPen4Schools program.

Even better!

I just sent the information to our school nurse (the forms need to be completed and sent by the school nurse) and would encourage you to do the same. The nurse also must sign off agreeing that the school will "make best efforts to provide appropriate product training to any School personnel who may
administer an EpiPen® or EpiPen Jr® Auto-Injector".  Interested school representatives can also call 1-973-845-7600 to speak with a representative about the program.

I do applaud Mylan and BioRidge Pharma for making this program available to schools.

Is your child's school training staff and making epinephrine available for anyone who may need it?

My Food Allergy Back-to-School Checklist

Food Allergies at School

Ah yes, it's that time of year. One dollar notebooks, one cent pencils and buy one/get one composition books jump off the pages of glossy advertisements. 

Back to school ads are also my prompt to pull out my yellow "Food Allergy School" folder. In it I'll find:

• Copy of 504 Plan
• Form giving permission to carry EpiPen
• Food Allergy and Anphylaxis Action Plan

All of these papers and forms need to be updated annually, so here's my back-to-school checklist:

__ Review 504 plan. Is it still relevant for upcoming school year or are changes needed?

__ Schedule 504 meeting several days before school starts. Invite school nurse, guidance counselor, teacher (or team of teachers)

__ Get doctor to sign form giving permission to carry epinephrine at school.

__ Review Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Action plan with doctor. Attach updated photo.

__ Get prescription for EpiPens as I'll need two extra to send to school.

__ Prepare bag for nurses office to include EpiPen, bottle of Benadryl and a copy of the Action Plan. 

We also meet with the director of the school cafeteria each year to review ingredient changes in foods that have been safe to eat in the past and to see if there are any new foods to add. 

I remember feeling overwhelmed by all this when I first sent my food allergic child off to school. We've been doing this for 8 years now, and it's just become part of the routine...just like shopping for notebooks and pencils.Be sure to communicate early and often and have a great back-to-school send-off.

If you're new to this, check out some of the posts I've written over the years about preparing for school with food allergies:

• Food Allergy Back to School Guide 
• Food Allergy and 504 Plans at School
• Food Allergy at School
• Food Allergies at School: More Tips
• Food Allergy Lingo When Talking to School Administrators

Birthday Club Benefits Autism Speaks

Bob's Red Mill has teamed up with Autism Speaks to provide a birthday gift to kids. A $30 donation to Autism Speaks assures a birthday kit for a special child. 

Bob's Red Mill offers many gluten-free and food allergy friendly products. Their malted barley flour is a great additive for my rolls and pizza dough. It gets the yeast I add into my recipes all excited for a higher dough rise. I also keep a bag of their flax seed meal in my freezer for a quick egg substitute in some of my baked goods. All of their products are available online, but I can usually find Bob's Red Mill at my grocery store. 

If Autism Speaks is an organization near and dear to your heart and you know a child who would love to get a gift package fit for a rising chef, sign up for the club.

Don't Miss the July Food Allergy Blog Carnival

Dairy and Egg Free Cake!

Be sure to check out this month's Food Allergy Blog Carnival. It's filled with articles, recipes and reviews. Our host even created a Pinterest board filled with the carnival submissions. Great fun!

Iron Chef and Food Allergies

Iron Chef Challenge

Food allergy mom Susan McArthur has challenged the Iron Chefs: Create a meal free of the top 8 allergens (plus corn!). That's a tall order even for those of us who have been dealing with multiple food allergies for many years! Susan's daughter Samantha, an aspiring chef herself, deals with a rare (although the rates are raising alarmingly) incurable white blood cell disease called Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE). She receives nourishment through a feeding tube.

Samantha and her mom have started an online petition to bring awareness to EoE. They are looking for 1000 signatures in the hope that the Iron Chefs will accept the challenge. At last count they had 955 signatures. Will you add your name to the petition? Get the details and help Samantha make her dream come true.

Food Allergies and the 2012 Olympics

While we prepare to enjoy the upcoming Summer Olympic Games in London, caterers are busy preparing for the 14 million meals that will be served during the 17-day event. Athletes will consume 1.2 million of those meals, which will include dishes for special dietary needs such as Kosher, low salt and allergens.

The remaining meals will be served to spectators through restaurants and food stalls. The UK Anaphylaxis Campaign confirms that people with special dietary needs can bring their own food into the venues, but advises also bringing a medical note to cover both the food and any medications.

Opening ceremonies kick-off the Games on Friday, July 27. If you're looking for more information about the sporting events and how to make sure you don't miss your favorites, check out my article, What to Expect for the 2012 London Summer Olympics. 

Let the Games begin!

Teen Makes Eating out With Food Allergies a Little "EZier"

Eating out with Food Allergies

I first wrote about 16-year-old Emily in July 2009. At the time, the industrious 13-year-old had launched EZgreetings and was donating a portion of her proceeds to food allergy research. 


Emily is at it again with a new site in her EZnetwork. This one is designed to help people with food allergies navigate restaurant menus. EZeatings provides links to over 50 (and counting) restaurant menus. Whether at home or on the road, finding ingredient information from major chain restaurants just got a whole lot easier.


Check out Emily's new site, and use the "Expand EZeatings" tab to recommend more restaurant menus, or to find a letter you can use to ask favorite restaurants to provide important ingredient and allergen information. 


You can also "EZily" find EZeatings in the resource section of Food Allergy Assistant. When eating out, always be sure to make the restaurant staff aware of your allergens and confirm ingredients and preparation techniques with the manager or chef. EZeatings, combined with direct communication, will go along way in making restaurant dining more palatable for people with food allergies. 

Food Allergies Around the World

Rice Allergy in Japan

I continue to be fascinated by the differing degrees of food allergy among various countries and ethnicities. It seems like there must be some clues to the food allergy puzzle in the studies that reveal food allergy differences among groups of people.

Take a look at this map:

 
(Map from Current Allergy & Clinical Immunology, August 2009 Vol 22, No. 3)


While there are many commonalities, why is buckwheat a big allergen in China or why is beef a big one in Chile'?

Just this week, research was published that shows a higher rate of food allergy among Israeli adolescents compared to Britain teens. According to a recent study conducted by the Rabin Medical Center allergy clinic, 3.6 percent of Israeli teens have a food allergy, compared with 2.6 percent of British teens. Milk is the most common allergy among adolescents in Israel. Peanut allergy in Israel is lower than that of the rate in the US, but higher than the rate in Singapore and the Philippines.It's also interesting that Arab adolescents are 40 percent less likely to be allergic to milk than their Jewish counterparts, but Arab teens in Israel are much more likely to be allergic to eggs, peanuts and sesame.

What is the thread that connects people with food allergies and what are the boundary lines that separate them?

Aahh...if we could answer that question, I suspect we may be well on our way to solving the puzzle.


A decade ago, I remember reading that while peanut allergy was common in the US, it was very uncommon in Japan. Conversely, rice allergy, almost unheard of in the US, was then a common food allergy in Japan. We also know that fish allergy is more common in countries where fish consumption is high, like Scandinavia and Norway.

White Album Puzzle

This all gets even trickier when study results show that there are different patterns to food allergy in different parts of the world. people in different countries, react to different parts of proteins in foods like peanuts. 

This is like the The Beatles- White Album puzzle. Highly challenging, but not impossible. Here's hoping we see more international studies to help put the pieces together.