May 13 – 19, 2018 is Food Allergy Awareness Week. It is likely that you or your child either has food allergies or knows someone who does. Here we will provide some basic information and resources for food allergy.
Researchers estimate that up to 15 million Americans have food allergies, including 5.9 million children under age 18. That’s 1 in 13 children, or roughly two in every classroom. About 30 percent of children with food allergies are allergic to more than one food.
A food allergy is a medical condition in which exposure to a food triggers a harmful immune response. The immune response, called an allergic reaction, occurs because the immune system attacks proteins in the food that are normally harmless. The proteins that trigger the reaction are called allergens. The symptoms of an allergic reaction to food can range from mild (itchy mouth, a few hives) to severe (throat tightening, difficulty breathing). Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that is sudden in onset and can cause death.
More than 170 foods have been reported to cause allergic reactions. Eight major food allergens are responsible for most of the serious food allergy reactions in the United States – milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish and crustacean shellfish.
Parents of Allergic Kids (PAK) – PAK is a network of families in and around Charlotte, NC with food, venom & latex allergies. They offer support & events for parents, teens and children, at little or no cost to the community.
Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) This is a comprehensive website including information about and managing food allergies.
FARE Food Allergy Facts and Statistics for US
General and Medical Disclaimer
The ideas and opinions expressed in this blog are informational only, based on the current data at the time of writing, accurate to the knowledge of the author, and not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for your child’s pediatric provider. Please seek medical attention from the appropriate medical professionals if you have any health concerns about yourself or your child. The publisher and author(s) of this site are not responsible for any errors or omissions in any content herein nor to be held liable for the ideas and opinions expressed. Information provided in this website DOES NOT create a provider-patient relationship between you and any provider affiliated. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
