Food Allergy Living Blog Tagged Results

In food allergy circles, we usually think of symptoms and side effects as results of food allergies, not the other way around. In most cases that’s true. Science has shown a strong link between food allergy and atopic dermatitis, a form of eczema. Last month Dr. Jon Hanifin, a respected dermatologist, gave a talk to colleagues discussing the link between atopic dermatitis and food allergies. The research he presented suggests that for some patients it may actually be atopic dermatitis that comes first and acts as a precursor to food allergies.

Atopic dermatitis is often one of the first signs that a parent or caregiver notices in their child which helps lead to the diagnosis of food allergy. As Dr. Hanifin explained, about 6-10% of children are diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, and of those about a third will be diagnosed with a food allergy. Which begs the question: If parents notice signs of atopic dermatitis first, and an allergy diagnosis comes later, couldn’t atopic dermatitis be causing some instances of food allergy?

What We Know:

-In cases of food allergy, offending foods cause reactions in the body which involve the immune system

-Immunoglobulin E antibodies (IgE) are immune substances which are normally in our bodies at low levels, but are higher with food allergy

-Allergy symptoms often involve the skin (including our digestive tract, which is like an inside skin), an important barrier that keeps most outside “things” from getting inside

-One factor of atopic dermatitis is “holes” in the barrier our skin provides

What Dr. Hanifin Proposed:

In the past it was assumed that food allergies came first, causing both high IgE levels and atopic dermatitis. Dr. Hanifin suggested that in some patients atopic dermatitis is caused by “gaps” in the skin (likely due to genetics), which means that foreign substances can enter the skin and cause adverse reactions. He thinks it may be proteins that get through these gaps which allows the body to become sensitive to certain foods, leading to a food allergy.

What does all of this mean? The biggest message here is that patients with atopic dermatitis, especially those under five years, should be tested for food allergies. While avoiding food allergens may not help improve atopic dermatitis, it could certainly prevent or improve other serious side effects of allergies. The second message is that more research needs to be done into the causes of atopic dermatitis and its relationship to food allergies. Any research that leads to better health, through reducing instances of atopic dermatitis and/or food allergies, is good research! Tell us about your experience: Was atopic dermatitis the first sign that you saw of your child’s food allergy?

- Rob

I recently attended the Kids with Food Allergies Family Fun Event at the Whole Foods in North Wales, Pennsylvania and I was so impressed with how responsible the kids I met there were with managing their food allergies.

This made me think about how important it is to train your little ones to manage their food allergies. As a parent, you will always play an important role, but once they go off to school and pick up extracurricular activities you won’t be with them all the time. Plus, although some allergies are outgrown, others are life-long conditions so managing food allergies will always be a part of their lives.

Teaching Toddlers and Young Children About Food Allergies:

The skills and information you give your child about their food allergies will depend on their age. Start out with the basics; providing too much information will confuse them at this age.

• You have food allergies and some foods can make you sick.
• Do not EAT, TOUCH or SMELL ANY food until it has been approved by mom or dad (or a designated family member/caregiver).
• If you don’t feel well, or even just feel funny, let a grown up know right away.
• When in doubt, spit it out!

The best way to get through to a toddler or young child is to get on their level. Teach them through activities they enjoy!

• Storybooks:
  • Guide for preschoolers with peanut and tree nut allergies
  • Taking Food Allergies to School
  • Starting School With a Food Allergy
  • Children’s Allergy Storybooks in Spanish
• Videos:
  • Binky Goes Nuts (part of the Arthur series)

• Music:
  • Kyle Dine’s educational CD, “You Must Be Nuts”
• Games:
  • Food Allergy Crossword Puzzle
  • Back To School Interactive Game
  • Make your own food allergy education games. For example, print out pictures of safe and unsafe foods and put them on flashcards. Then you can have your child go through the cards and identify which ones are safe and unsafe. Another idea to make a variation on the game “Where’s Waldo” and play “Find The Allergen” with examples of ingredient lists.
• Presentations
  • Presentation On Food Allergies for Elementary School Kids

Teaching Older Kids and Teenagers about Food Allergies:

For those of you with older kids and teens, below are some resources that may be helpful for you as you continue to educate them on food allergy management.

• Talking To Your Teen About Food Allergies
• Presentation on Food Allergies for Secondary School Kids
• Older kids and teens who carry their own EpiPens at school may need to carry a letter from their health care provider
• iPhone Apps: We don’t have to tell you that teens are glued to their cell phones! Apps are a way for teens to manage their food allergies in a way that’s familiar and convenient for them!
  • NoPeanut
  • Food Content Alerts
  • iCanEat OnTheGo
  • iEatOut Gluten & Allergen Free

How are you teaching your little ones about their food allergies? Any tips or resources that you would recommend for other parents?

-Mallory

[Image: Flickr]

As many of you may know, food allergy symptoms can appear in a variety of ways. One of the most concerning symptoms of a food allergy is when a person goes into anaphylactic shock. In fact, food allergies are believed to be the leading cause of anaphylaxis outside the hospital setting. The CDC reported that food allergies result in over 300,000 ambulatory-care visits a year among children.¹ Because this is the most life threatening response to food allergens, we wanted to review what the signs of anaphylaxis look like.

Anaphylaxis – What to Watch For

The signs of anaphylaxis may occur within seconds of exposure, or be delayed 15 to 30 minutes or even an hour or more after exposure (which is most typical of reactions to aspirin and similar drugs). Early symptoms are often related to the skin and include:

• Difficulty breathing; wheezing
• Changes in consciousness (including confusion, light-headedness, or stupor)
• Rapid swelling throughout the body
• Hives
• Blue skin
• Severe abdominal pain, nausea, or diarrhea
• Flushing (warmth and redness of the skin)
• Itching (often in the groin or armpits)

Throat and tongue swelling, difficulty swallowing, and difficulty breathing frequently follow the above symptoms. Vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps may also develop.

If you know a child or adult with food allergies and suspect they are having an anaphylactic reaction, the most important consideration is time. Calling 911 or driving the person to the emergency room are the first things that should be done. Also, it is important to have an Epi Pen on hand for those times.

How You Can Protect Yourself or Others

• Follow-up with your doctor or allergist if you or your little one had a severe reaction.
• If you’ve been prescribed self-injectable epinephrine (i.e., EpiPen® or Twinject®), carry it at all times. (Here’s a great recent post on EpiPen usage)
• Educate others about your allergy. Teach them what you need to avoid, the symptoms of an allergic reaction, and how they can help during an allergic emergency. (Check out this post I did on being a PAL to a person with food allergies.)
• Teach yourself and others how to use an epinephrine auto-injector. Practice until it becomes second nature.
• Wear medical identification jewelry noting your allergy.

Have you or your little ones ever had an anaphylactic reaction? If so, what have you done to help minimize the risk of such a reaction?

- Christine

We had such a great time last year attending the FAAN Walk for Food Allergy in different cities around the country, that we are doing it again! These walks are organized by the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network to raise public awareness, to provide advocacy and education, and to advance research on behalf of all those affected by food allergies (such as peanut, egg, soy & dairy) and anaphylaxis.

Here is a list of the FAAN Walks Neocate will be participating in:

• Houston, TX - September 11
• Philadelphia, PA – September 12
• Baltimore, MD – October 2
• Charlotte, NC – October 2
• Long Island, NY – October 10
• Tampa Bay, FL –November 13

For a complete list of cities and to register for a walk in your area or donate money, visit the FAAN website. Are any of your families attending a walk in your city or organizing a team? We’d love to hear about your plans! And if you are going to be attending any of the walks mentioned above, make sure you stop by the Neocate booth and say hi!

- Sarah