This is one of those heartbreaking stories. A 14 year old Arizona girl was hanging out with friends snacking on cereal when she went into anaphylactic shock and then cardiac arrest. She's been in a coma for several weeks now. You can read the story here and follow her progress on Facebook.
From all of us who have kids with food allergies, our thoughts are with Adrianna and her family and we wish her a speedy and full recovery.
Monday, 11 April 2011
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
Peanut Allergy Food Challenge Coming Up
We've got a peanut challenge in two weeks. My nearly 11-year-old has never eaten peanut. We've avoided it because of blood test results. We feell like it's time to find out the truth.
Our allergist suggested not using actual peanuts for the challenge as they can scratch the throat and cause confusion over possible allergic symptoms. I plan to bake something with peanut butter, however the allergist said it needs to be "a substantial amount". I'm thinking of putting peanut butter in my chocolate chocolate chip cookies. I also considered making peanut butter type candies.
I'd love to hear your suggestions!
Our allergist suggested not using actual peanuts for the challenge as they can scratch the throat and cause confusion over possible allergic symptoms. I plan to bake something with peanut butter, however the allergist said it needs to be "a substantial amount". I'm thinking of putting peanut butter in my chocolate chocolate chip cookies. I also considered making peanut butter type candies.
I'd love to hear your suggestions!
Monday, 4 April 2011
Food Allergies in the News
I'd like to share an article I wrote for our local Patch about the situation in Florida involving a peanut allergic six-year-old.
I know this is the nightmare of every parent with a food allergic preschooler, but I can assure you that this situation does not appear to be typical in schools in our country. We have had a very positive experience with our public school system and I hear mostly the same from my fellow food allergy parents. The key is planning and open communication.
A support system via Facebook has been set up for the Florida family involved in this national news story. Feel free to lend your support and share your experiences.
I know this is the nightmare of every parent with a food allergic preschooler, but I can assure you that this situation does not appear to be typical in schools in our country. We have had a very positive experience with our public school system and I hear mostly the same from my fellow food allergy parents. The key is planning and open communication.
A support system via Facebook has been set up for the Florida family involved in this national news story. Feel free to lend your support and share your experiences.
Thursday, 31 March 2011
Gluten Free and Allergen Free Expo to be Held in Chicago
Living Without, a magazine for people with celiac disease, gluten sensitivity and food allergies, has become the title sponsor of the 4th annual Gluten & Allergen Free Expo, to be held April 29 - May 1 in Chicago.
Editor of Living Without, Alicia Woodward says “This Expo features a variety of experts, valuable information about great tasting specialty products, cooking and baking tips, recipes, and much more.”
More than 70 vendors will showcase their products. Attendees can sit in on cooking and baking classes taught by well-respected chefs, nutritionists and cookbook authors to learn tips for preparing gluten free/allergen free meals and snacks. Participants will enjoy lively presentations, taste recipes and have the opportunity to ask questions and interact with experts.
The Expo also features a designated nut-free area, kids’ activities and performers, and a special allergen-friendly cooking class for children.
For registration information, hotel deals and to sign up for e-mail notices, visit the Gluten and Allergen Free Expo site.
Anyone already registered or planning to attend?
Editor of Living Without, Alicia Woodward says “This Expo features a variety of experts, valuable information about great tasting specialty products, cooking and baking tips, recipes, and much more.”
More than 70 vendors will showcase their products. Attendees can sit in on cooking and baking classes taught by well-respected chefs, nutritionists and cookbook authors to learn tips for preparing gluten free/allergen free meals and snacks. Participants will enjoy lively presentations, taste recipes and have the opportunity to ask questions and interact with experts.
The Expo also features a designated nut-free area, kids’ activities and performers, and a special allergen-friendly cooking class for children.
For registration information, hotel deals and to sign up for e-mail notices, visit the Gluten and Allergen Free Expo site.
Anyone already registered or planning to attend?
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Health Bloggers Can Earn a Little Extra Something
WEGO Health is a different kind of social media company whose mission is to empower the top 10% of online health social media contributors to connect with each other and with healthcare companies. They call these people Health Activists. Food Allergy Assistant is one of them.
WEGO Health is setting up an Insight Panel (online focus group) for parents who blog about family health, nutrition, parenting and more. I’ve already signed up, but I wanted to make sure that all of you knew about the opportunity as well. The Insight Panel will last about an hour and all participants will receive a $25 Amazon.com gift card for their participation. They’re still scheduling the actual Panel, but WEGO wanted to start sharing this with people now.
If you’re interested in participating in this Panel (or one like it) and want to see if you’re a good fit, take their brief survey here: Parents Who Blog about Health Insight Panel!
WEGO Health is setting up an Insight Panel (online focus group) for parents who blog about family health, nutrition, parenting and more. I’ve already signed up, but I wanted to make sure that all of you knew about the opportunity as well. The Insight Panel will last about an hour and all participants will receive a $25 Amazon.com gift card for their participation. They’re still scheduling the actual Panel, but WEGO wanted to start sharing this with people now.
If you’re interested in participating in this Panel (or one like it) and want to see if you’re a good fit, take their brief survey here: Parents Who Blog about Health Insight Panel!
Monday, 28 March 2011
Food Allergy Conferences Begin This Week-end
FAAN (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network) is kicking off their conferences in Baltimore this Saturday, April 2. On April 16, the Chicago conference is scheduled in Oak Brook Illinois and the west coast conference will be in Anaheim California on June 11. In 2012, the Baltimore (east coast) conference will be in Tarrytown NY, so you may want to plan accordingly.
I have found these conferences to be helpful during our food allergy journey. The speakers range from doctors sharing new treatment and research information to teens talking about how they deal with food allergies every day. At lunch, attendees sit with "their zip code" in order to meet people who live close to you. Discussion of local schools and support groups often takes place during this meal.
There are special sessions for teens (ages 11-18), school nurses and adults with food allergy. Other sessions focus on 504 plans and preparing allergy-friendly foods.
Check out the schedule and consider whether a FAAN conference may help you better deal with food allergy this year.
I have found these conferences to be helpful during our food allergy journey. The speakers range from doctors sharing new treatment and research information to teens talking about how they deal with food allergies every day. At lunch, attendees sit with "their zip code" in order to meet people who live close to you. Discussion of local schools and support groups often takes place during this meal.
There are special sessions for teens (ages 11-18), school nurses and adults with food allergy. Other sessions focus on 504 plans and preparing allergy-friendly foods.
Check out the schedule and consider whether a FAAN conference may help you better deal with food allergy this year.
Friday, 25 March 2011
Camp for Children With Food Allergies
Have you worried that your food allergic child won't be able to participate in typical kid activitites like summer camp? FAAN has just announced registration for Camp TAG. These specially designed half day camps are "95% fun and 5% educational". Children ages 3-12 will be grouped by age and participate in activities including camp games, arts and crafts, boating, mini-golf and more.
There are three locations for the summer of 2011:
Check out the registration page for more information.
Your family may want to consider a summer vacation around Camp TAG. Williamstown NJ is an easy distance to all the sights of Philadelphia. Gaithersburg Maryland is just outside of Washington DC and Joliet Illinois is 45 miles from Chicago.
There are three locations for the summer of 2011:
- Joliet Park District in Joliet IL
- Tall Pines Day Camp in Williamstown NJ
- Sandy Springs Friends School near Gaithersburg MD
Check out the registration page for more information.
Your family may want to consider a summer vacation around Camp TAG. Williamstown NJ is an easy distance to all the sights of Philadelphia. Gaithersburg Maryland is just outside of Washington DC and Joliet Illinois is 45 miles from Chicago.
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