Kids and Allergies-“Allergy friendly party: How to host a kids party – latimes.com”

NOTEWORTHY WEDNESDAY!

Although only a small percentage of children in the U.S. have reported food allergies it can be deadly for that small number.

It is important for those of us who are not affected by this problem to remain empathic for those that do ….

…..it can mean life or death within minutes of exposure.

With that being said, if your child has friends with allergies or your child, herself, has allergies it means that childhood parties and holiday celebrations at school can be problematic.

There are many ways to host an allergy free event…it may not be all that easy but well worth the effort.

I would urge any parent or grandparent to become familiar with common food allergies and the signs of an allergic reaction so that they can respond appropriately if necessary.

When in doubt if it is an allergic reaction….call 911…better to be safe than sorry!

So…I came across this information in the LA Times which might be helpful.

The latest research shows that 8 percent of children in the United States have food allergies, which means that even if your kid can eat her weight in PB&J or egg salad, she’ll probably have a friend who can’t.

Here are some tips from Beasley on how to host an allergy-friendly kids party:

1. On party invitations, mention upfront if there will be a food-centric theme, such as decorating your own pizza or assembling gingerbread houses.

2. If the parent of a food-allergic child contacts you before the party, offer to put out a “safe” dish (prepared by the parent and dropped off with the child) amid buffet items.

3. Choose dishware that comes in a variety of colors instead of a uniform print. This will help an allergic child avoid accidentally using someone else’s tainted cup or fork.

4. If traditional cake is being served, don’t make a big production out of cutting and handing a slice to each guest. If ice cream is being served, have a nondairy fruit sorbet on hand that can be substituted without drawing attention to the milk-allergic child.

5. If crafts will be a focal point, beware of common allergens that might be ingredients in art supplies, such as glue (milk), modeling clay (wheat) and tempera paints (egg).

6. Giving out goody bags? Be sure any food you include is thoroughly wrapped. Crumbs from a cookie or chocolate’s oils can contaminate the toys bundled beside it. Or leave out food altogether.

Andrea Pyros writes for the coupon site RetailMeNot.com.

Distributed by MCT Information Services

via Allergy friendly party: How to host a kids party – latimes.com.

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Peanut Allergy continued…

NOTEWORTHY WEDNESDAY!

Peanut allergy is on the rise…it can cause a severe reaction which is life threatening.

Unexpected sources of peanuts:

• sauces, chili sauce, hot sauce, pesto, gravy, mole sauce, and salad dressing
• sweets like puddings, cookies, and hot chocolate
• egg rolls
• potato pancakes
• pet foods (reactions may occur after being licked by a pet that has consumed peanut)
• specialty pizzas
• Asian and Mexican dishes
• Some vegetarian food products, especially those advertised as mean substitutes
• foods that contain extruded, cold pressed peanut oil, which may contain peanut protein
• glazes and marinades
• salads and salad dressings
• barbecue sauce
• breading for chicken
• pancakes
• meat-free burgers
• pasta
• honey
• fish dishes
• pie crust
• mortadella (may contain pistachios)

Things to keep in mind:

• Alternative nut butters may be processed on equipment shared with peanuts…contact manufacturer about these products.
• Discuss with allergist whether to avoid tree nuts…cross contamination with peanuts is always a risk.
• Ice cream served in ice cream parlors should be avoided due to cross contamination…always tell the manager that you have a nut allergy.
• Sometimes foods that contain other nuts also contain peanuts.
• Peanuts go by other names, such as beer nuts, ground nuts or monkey nuts.
• Ask your doctor if you should avoid peanut oils.
• Peanuts can be found in many foods and candies, especially chocolate. Check all labels carefully and contact the manufacturer with your questions.
• Peanuts can cause severe allergic reactions. If prescribed, carry epinephrine at all times- lean more about anaphylaxis.

Some children actually can outgrow a peanut allergy…check with your doctor.

via: DuPage Medical Group- Asthma and Allergy Center, 1801 South Highland Avenue, Lombard, IL 60148 – 630 545 7833 

links: http://www.foodallergy.org/

Related posts:https://parentingintheloop.wordpress.com/2011/08/17/kids-and-allergies/

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Kids and Allergies…

NOTEWORTY WEDNESDAY!

KIDS AND ALLERGIES

Allergies are serious and especially so in children.

The vast majority of allergic reactions to foods affect the skin in one way or another. The severity of symptoms can change quickly and there is always potential for a severe, possibly life-threatening reaction.

This week I had a crash course in allergies and children. The fact that ingesting a food such as a peanut could be life threatening is truly  a scary situation.

There are ways to minimize the potential risk and prevent accidental exposure to the foods that cause an allergic reaction.

Here are some of the family’s responsibilities when they have a child with a food allergy:

• Notify the school of the child’s allergies
• Work with the school team to develop a plan that accommodates the child’s needs throughout the school including in the classroom, in the cafeteria, in after-care programs during school sponsored activities and on the school bus as well as a Food Allergy Action Plan.
• Provide written medical documentation, instructions, ad medications as directed by a physician using the Food Allergy Action Plan as a guide. Include a photo of the child on written form.
• Provide properly labeled medications and replace medications after use or upon expiration.
• Educate the child in the self-management of their food allergy including:

1. safe and unsafe foods
2. strategies for avoiding exposure to unsafe foods
3. symptoms of allergic reaction
4. how and when to tell an adult they may be having an allergy-related problem
5. how to read food labels (age appropriate)

– Review policies/procedures with the school staff, the child’s physician, and the child (if age appropriate) after a reaction has occurred.

– Provide emergency contact information.

excerpts: from DuPage Medical Group – Asthma & Allergy Center

NEXT:  School’s responsibility

Related Posts: https://parentingintheloop.wordpress.com/2010/12/07/food-allergies-new-guidelines/

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Food Allergies…new guidelines…

Tuesday “Travels”

Food Allergies and Children

http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/new-food-allergy-guidelines/

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704156304576003382894873452.html?mod=ITP_personaljournal_0

These articles are a must read for parents of children with food allergies. They explain the latest guidelines published in the Journal  of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and issued by the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NAID) on diagnosing and treating food allergies.

Allergies are complicated and difficult to handle with children especially as they get old enough to go to school and are then exposed to other children bringing foods in their lunch that are potentially lethal to the allergic child.

Over Thanksgiving while we were boarding our flight…a parent was requesting special services because her child had a peanut allergy. I asked her how the airline deals with this situation. She said that they give her time to wipe down the seat and seat belt before her child sits down. The flight attendants then announce to the passengers that someone has an allergy to nuts so it is requested that passengers refrain from eating nuts while onboard. They also do not serve peanuts as the snack.

Allergies to peanuts and other foods are quite serious and parents have to be very diligent dealing with this. Hopefully these new guidelines will help.

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