Helpful Tips on How to Take Control of Food Allergies

My son was diagnosed with life-threatening food allergies when he was only a year old. He's almost 17 now, and I'm happy to say he hasn't had an allergic reaction since he was 3. In my efforts to keep my son safe and living as normal a life as possible, I've compiled the following tips for those living with or suspecting food allergies. Food allergy education has come a long way in the past 16 years, and it's my hope that these tips will help make the transition from diagnosis to living safely with food allergies a smoother one than what we experienced.

If You Suspect Food Allergies:

Make an appointment to see a Board Certified Allergist for proper diagnosis and treatment of food allergies. You will get the most accurate diagnosis as well as the most current treatments available. Trying to self-diagnose can be dangerous. It may also lead to unnecessary lifestyle changes and elimination of foods that could otherwise be eaten.

Educate yourself. The more you know about food allergies, the better off you and your child will be. Pass the knowledge on to your child, your family, teachers and caregivers.

Educate your child. There are many good age-appropriate materials available to teach children about their food allergies. The earlier you start, the better off everyone will be. Use role-playing to rehearse different situations your child may experience at school. Teach your child specific words and phrases to use to say no to anyone who wants him to eat something he shouldn't eat, whether it's an adult or a child. It's hard for a child to say no to an adult, and role-playing can give him the confidence he needs, as well as "permission" to say no in that situation. For instance, in response to an adult's offer of food, phrases such as, "No thank you. I have food allergies and only eat what my mom gives me" is much more effective and to-the-point than simply saying, "No thank you. I can't have that."

Helpful Resources:

Take advantage of the education provided by these non-profit groups. For a reasonable, tax-deductible donation, these non-profit groups offer newsletters, support groups, plus many other educational activities as well as lending libraries. Some of these organizations also help fund much-needed research into food allergies and asthma:

Food Allergy Connection (FAC) - go to their website at www.foodallergyconnection.org FAC provides In-Service Training to schools and educational seminars to day care and preschool associations. FAC also has a free support group.

The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) - Fairfax, VA

800-929-4040 or www.foodallergy.org FAAN has many good food allergy-related products & training tools, a good website and newsletter as well as food allergy alerts and more. Well worth joining.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) - Washington, D.C.

800-7-ASTHMA or 202-466-7643 or www.aafa.org

816-779-0272 or www.aafakc.org - Greater Kansas City Chapter

AAFA provides benevolent and educational programs as well as a free support group.

Medic Alert - Turlock, CA

800-432-5378 or www.medicalert.org

"The original, nonprofit emergency medical information service..."

Medic Alert bracelets and emblems are important for people with food allergies or other chronic conditions. They can help save lives by providing vital medical information to emergency medical personnel and by providing a number to call for a more detailed medical history.

www.allergic-reactions.com - This website belongs to Dey, the makers of EpiPenÒand Epi-Pen JrÒ, the frontline treatment for anaphylaxis. It's a great site to go to when you want to learn more about anaphylaxis and how to treat it. Click on their "Center for Anaphylactic Support" link to sign up for their free "Center for Anaphylaxis Support" Program.

www.veruspharm.com - Thiswebsite belongs to Verus, the makers of TwinjectÒ, another brand of epinephrine auto injector. The TwinjectÒ contains two doses of epinephrine in one device.

Tips for After the Diagnosis

Ask your allergist about prescribing an auto injector of epinephrine. There are two brands available now: Epi-Pen Jr for children or EpiPen for adults, as well as the Twinject which comes in both child and adult doses as well. Chances are if you're seeing an allergist, you already have a prescription. Ask specifically when the shot of epinephrineshould be used (at what point during an allergic reaction). Ask to be properly trained on how to administer the EpiPen and the Twinject.

It may be a good idea to have more than one shot of epinephrine available in case the first one malfunctions or in case one is not enough. Epinephrine helps alleviate symptoms and buys 15-20 minutes of time, but a food allergic person can have a second phase reaction up to several hours later and should be closely monitored for several hours after an allergic reaction. More medications may be necessary. EpiPens now come in a twin pack. The Twinject contains two doses in one unit.

Any time epinephrine is administered, the food allergic person should be taken to the nearest emergency room (or call 9-1-1) for further observation and treatment. Your doctor will help you determine how soon a second dose of epinephrinemay be used in the event it is needed.

Develop an Emergency Treatment Plan. Working with your physician to develop an appropriate Emergency Treatment Plan for the food allergic person is essential. With your physician's help, you will be able to develop an effective treatment plan that will outline specifically what symptoms to look for as well as how and when to use appropriate medications in the event you or your child has an allergic reaction. Put it in writing and have your physician sign it. Your physician must sign any written instructions requiring medication, especially when sending food allergic children to school. Include emergency contact information and your allergist's phone number as well as a picture of the allergic person. Sample Emergency Treatment Plans may be obtained through Food Allergy Connection or FAAN.

Put together an emergency kit and take it wherever the food allergic person goes - no exceptions. While at home, keep it in the same place each time and make sure everyone knows where it is. A variety of containers may be used, such as an insulated lunch box, plastic boxes, locking file boxes, fanny packs, as well as specially made medicine holders available for ordering at www.foodallergy.org

Each Emergency Kit should contain the following:

Copy of Emergency Treatment Plan with emergency contact information.

Epinephrine shots (should ideally be kept at room temperature -no extreme temps)

Other medicines recommended by allergist (usually liquid antihistamine)

Copies of insurance & prescription cards

List of all medications food allergic person is taking.

Personalized I.D. Card from Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network - Contains physician's name & number, food allergies and what medications are needed in case of an allergic reaction. It also lists symptoms of anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergic reaction).

Medic Alert Card if you're a member.

Discuss details of the Emergency Treatment Plan with everyone involved with the food allergic person, such as family members, school personnel or caregivers.

Go over the Emergency Kit and train everyone on how and when to use the EpiPenÒ or TwinjectÒ and other medications. EpiPenÒTrainers may be ordered at the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network's (FAAN's) website - www.foodallergy.org.

Also helpful in teaching others about food allergies is FAAN's video "It Only Takes One Bite", available on FAAN's website. Children's books and videos as well as many other food allergy products are also available through FAAN.

Be sure everyone involved understands the plan-of-action. Have regular review sessions to be sure everyone remembers what to look for and what to do in. (For more information about sending your food allergic child to preschool and school, call Food Allergy Connection at 913-541-8738.)

Keep track of expiration dates on all medications. Ask the pharmacist to give you the farthest out date on EpiPensÒ and TwinjectsÒ. They should be good for at least one year.

Educate your child if your child is the one with food allergies. There is a fine line between educating your child and scaring him regarding food allergies, so keep the talk on his level but start at an early age. Your child will need this information and guidance to help him/her handle being away from you (the protector) with confidence. Pre-schoolers are hungry for knowledge, and if you present things in the right way, your child will become responsible, helpful, confident and secure in dealing with the health issues that have become a way of life for all of you. Use role-playing to rehearse different situations your child may experience at school. Teach him specific words and phrases to use to say no to anyone who wants him to eat something he shouldn't eat, whether it's an adult or a child. It's hard for a child to say no to an adult, and role-playing can give him the confidence he needs, as well as "permission" to say no in that situation.

Read ingredient labels on every food the allergic person eats - every time you buy them. Labels can change at any time, so get in the habit of reading labels carefully. FAAN sells "How To Read A Label" cards designed for various food allergies.

It's best to avoid foods that list phrases on the label such as "may contain..." or "manufactured in a facility that uses..."

"Understanding Food Labels", available through FAAN, helps clarify label reading. It also explains how kosher certification of foods can help identify milk-free and meat-free products.

Homemade foods are always risky for people with food allergies. Avoid potlucks or buffets. If you must attend, it may be a good idea to only eat food brought from home in situations like these. Besides the foods being risky, the chance of utensils becoming cross contaminated with other foods is high at events like these, so keep your own food separate from the others.

If eating in a restaurant, first talk directly to the manager, then with the head chef if necessary. Be sure to ask about food ingredients as well as the possibility of cross contamination due to food preparation or handling. It may help to show copies of the "How to Read a Label" cards. If you don't feel comfortable with the answers you get, don't eat there! Why take a chance.

Develop rules about how the allergic food will be handled and prepared if other family members will be eating it.

Designate a specific area to prepare the allergic food.

Be diligent about disinfecting. Clean countertops, tables and other areas the allergic food touches. Bleach and water works well, as do disinfecting cleaners. Clean utensils and dishes in hot soapy water or in the dishwasher.

Be diligent about hand washing. Residue from the allergic food may cause a reaction in some people, so be sure to have family members wash hands and mouth after handling or eating the allergic foods. Also check clothes for spills.

Consider working with a Registered Dietician. Food allergies present a special challenge when it comes to making sure your child gets proper nutrition. Working with a Registered Dietician can be a great way to learn about food substitutions. They can be invaluable in helping develop a special diet geared toward your child's food allergies.

This is not necessarily a complete list, but hopefully it will get you started. Nor is it meant to be used in place of medical diagnosis and treatment by a Board-Certified Allergist. Please consult an Allergist if you suspect food allergies.