Food Allergy Living Blog Tagged Results

We’ve discussed the Top 8 Allergens which account for 90% of all food allergies. These allergens are the main offenders but there are certain food allergies that are unique to certain regions of the world. EuroPrevall was a global research project funded by the European Union that looked at food allergy prevalence and patterns among various countries around the world. EuroPrevall revealed that there are major differences in the types of food allergies that are seen in different countries.

The main theory behind these differences is that people are most likely to develop a food allergy to the foods that are most commonly eaten. Milk and eggs are common foods worldwide so it’s not surprising that these are two of the most universally frequent food allergies (mostly in children).

However, different regions have unique cuisines that are influenced by their geographical locations and their cultural history. As a result, there are some notable variations in food allergy trends around the world.

Let’s look at some examples of specific food allergies that vary around the world.

• Seafood Allergy: Fish allergy is more common in countries where fish consumption is high, such Scandinavia, Norway, Portugal and Japan. Shrimp allergy is fairly common in Iceland and Spain but almost non-existent in Bulgaria and Poland.
   
• Sesame Allergy: Sesame allergy is not considered a Top 8 Allergens however; it is common in Israel, where sesame consumption is high[1]. In fact, milk, egg and sesame are the 3 most common food allergies among children in Israel and second to milk, sesame is the second leading cause of anaphylaxis in Israeli children[2].
   
• Rice Allergy: Rice allergy is rare in most countries and is usually considered one of the foods that is least likely to cause an allergic reaction. That’s why rice cereal is usually the first food we’re introduced to as infants. However, rice allergy is fairly common in countries of Eastern Asia, where rice is commonly eaten, such as in Japan. People who are allergic to rice can have an allergic reaction when they consume rice or when they inhale rice pollen.
   
• Peanut Allergy: Peanut allergies are quite common in the westernized countries such as the US and the UK but fairly rare in other areas. For example, in Greece, peanut allergies are almost non-existent. This may be partly due to different rates of peanut consumption among different countries but consumption trends can’t completely explain the differences in the rates of peanut allergies. Although peanut consumption is very high in Indonesia and parts of Africa, these areas have an extremely low incidence of peanut allergy.
  
  There is even variation among the characteristics of peanut allergies in different countries[3]. A study on peanut allergies among children in the US, Spain and Sweden found that there are some differences in the characteristics of peanut allergy among the different countries. In the US, peanut allergy usually manifests in the first year of life whereas children in Sweden and Spain usually develop a peanut allergy at age two or older. The study also found that children from the three different countries react to different components of the peanut protein.

Pollen’s Role:

Certain pollens may influence the foods which someone is allergic to. For example, an allergy to birch pollen can cause a cross reaction to proteins in apples or hazelnut. Therefore, allergies to apples and hazelnut are more common in geographical areas where birch pollen is abundant.

Allergy Trends: A Product of Genetics and Environment

Although scientists are still unsure of what exactly leads to the development of food allergies, it is theorized that the development of food allergies is influenced by infant feeding habits, environmental factors and of course, genetics. Early exposure to the commonly consumed foods and inhaled allergens in a certain region is likely to play a strong role.

I had never thought about how geography and culture might affect food allergy trends so I found this topic especially interesting. I hope you found it interesting too!

-Mallory

For children with severe food allergies, going to the mall, a restaurant or even school can be dangerous. In some cases, just being in the room with people who have recently eaten peanuts or drank milk could spur a potentially deadly anaphylactic reaction. Until recently, the solution has been to keep these children in a carefully controlled environment. But with the help of some specially trained furry friends, there is a new level of freedom for those with food allergies.

Allergy detection dogs are being trained in facilities across the country as companions for children with food allergies. Just as dogs can be trained to use their extraordinary sense of smell to detect bombs or drugs, they can also be trained to detect minute amounts of allergens, like peanuts, in any form.

These dogs are constant companions for children with food allergies. They scan house guests for any allergen residue; scrutinize groceries, books and other items you bring home, and accompany you to public places where they scan people and environments for contamination. Check out how Rock’O helps Riley, an eight-year old girl with a severe peanut allergy, navigate her daily routine. Watch YouTube video

Allergy detection dogs don’t come cheap – prices range from $10,000 to $15,000. But across the country, communities are pitching in to help families in need. Jett McConnell, of Spokane, Washington, was able to raise enough money for his allergy dog Farley. Watch YouTube video

If you are interested in an allergy detection dog of your own, there are currently several facilities that train allergy-detecting dogs, including Peanut Detector Dogs and Angel Service Dogs. There are also detection dogs for other conditions, including diabetes. The diabetic alert dogs can detect high and low blood sugar levels in children.

Would you consider getting an allergy detection dog?

- Sarah

As the weather warms up and school lets out, many of you are likely planning a summer vacation with your family. When you have a child with food allergies, traveling can be stressful because you are out of your comfort zone. By planning ahead, you can ensure that the trip goes smoothly and that your child gets to experience all of the fun. It will also take away a lot of your anxiety so that you can relax and enjoy your vacation time too! Here are some tips for planning your next vacation.

Automatic Epinephrine Injectors (EpiPens)

If your child has an automatic epinephrine injector (or EpiPen), make sure it isn’t expired and consider packing an extra just in case. Have it handy at all times and get an insulated carrying case to prevent it from getting too hot or cold.

Air travel

Traveling by plane can be incredibly stressful for those with food allergies, especially those with peanut allergy and anaphylaxis. However, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk for an allergen exposure.

• Ask ahead if you can pre-board so that you can clean the area around your child’s seat.
• Bring a sheet or cover for the seat. You can buy washable or disposable covers from Plane Sheets.
• Call ahead to alert the airline of your child’s food allergies and find out about their policies. Some airlines are more allergy-friendly than others so do your research. For example, Continental does not hand out snacks that contain peanuts. Delta will create a “buffer zone” of 3 rows where they will not serve snacks containing peanut ingredients.
• Request a special meal that accommodates your child’s dietary restrictions if you are flying on an extended flight where a meal is served.
• Prepare for anything! Even when all precautions are taken, you can never completely eliminate the risk for allergen exposure. Have emergency plans and medication handy at all times.

Road trips

Road trips are generally less stressful because you have control over what comes into the car. However, it still requires a lot of planning to ensure you bring along enough safe foods for the trip. Check out Kids with Food Allergies for some great tips on how to plan effectively for your vacations & road trips.

Amusement Parks

In addition to being the happiest place on earth, Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida is also perhaps the most accommodating place on earth. With ample notice, Dining Services can accommodate just about any dietary restriction. Disney Land, in Anaheim, California, also strives to accommodate dietary restrictions. Other parks, like Six Flags and Busch Gardens, will usually provide an exception to the rules about bringing food into the park when a person has a food allergy or intolerance.

More articles on travel with food allergies

• Camping with food allergies
• Trouble-free travel
• Allergy and asthma travel tips check-list
• Cruises with food allergies

Resources

• Chef cards
• International chef cards (translations for your food allergies)
• Food allergy t-shirts

Based on your experiences, what tips can you offer other parents about traveling with a child with food allergies?

- Mallory

With summer approaching, baseball season is back in full swing. I was at a baseball game not too long ago (Nationals vs. Marlins…Go Marlins!!) and wondered how people with food allergies, especially peanut allergies, would be able to enjoy a baseball game with all the peanut shells on the floor. Excitingly, there are several baseball teams that designate certain “Peanut-Free” or “Peanut-Friendly” games where they offer special sections or suites in the stadium that do not allow peanuts. Some teams take it a step further and don’t sell any nut products on these dates. Here is a listing of teams that host these peanut-free games for 2010. The links below provide important details for the games so be sure to check them out!

• Arizona Diamondbacks: Two peanut-controlled games in 2010.

• Minnesota Twins: Four games with a peanut-free skybox.

• Boston Red Sox: Two peanut-friendly games in 2010.

• San Diego Padres: Peanut-free seating on May 2, 2010.

• Seattle Mariners: Four peanut-safe games in 2010.

• St. Louis Cardinals: Three games with peanut-free sections in 2010.

• Washington Nationals: Three allergy-friendly games in 2010.

I hope this information will add lots of fun to your summer activities. Have you heard of other sports teams that offer allergy-friendly days? We would love to hear about them! - Christine

I know, a harsh title. But that is what I thought of after reading the article, “A Plea for My Daughter,” in this month’s Newsweek magazine.

If you haven’t read the article, check it out. Rebecca King found out 6 months ago that her five-year-old daughter, Lydia, has a severe peanut allergy. Luckily, she came across the allergy as an “accident.” She had taken Lydia to an allergist for asthma, but walked out with the peanut allergy diagnosis.

Rebecca is going through what many allergy parents go through on a daily basis; understanding why saving your child’s life is an inconvenience to so many others. You feel guilty because you have to lecture a parent every time your child goes to a party. But that guilt doesn’t outweigh your child’s safety, not by a long shot.

There is a lot of backlash that comes from other parents who don’t really understand food allergies. Which I find really surprising because I feel pretty confident that if Rebecca’s daughter was at a pool party and she started to drown, any adult there would dive into that water to save her. And not one would talk about being “inconvenienced.” So, why all the eye-rolls and blasé attitudes about foods that threaten her life?

Maybe I have too much faith in humankind, but I have to think that it comes boiled down to a lack of understanding. So, the next time a parent rolls their eyes or becomes annoyed with you, try to take the time to sit down and chat with that parent. Maybe better awareness will make him/her think twice the next time he/she hears “my child has a food allergy.”

-Sarah