Continue reading “Back to School Allergy and Asthma Watch” »
The beginning of spring puts everybody into a happy mood. The flowers bloom and Mother Nature opens her arms, sharing the brightest colors and balmiest temperatures.
The days last longer. We can enjoy the resplendent sunset after a full day of work. And our children can spend more time outdoors running and playing after a full day at school. It’s all about connecting with our surroundings after a long, indoor winter season.
All of the above feels like an idyllic scenario, until you discover you’re allergic to pollen.
Yes. If you are already on shots you will have to keep on the same dose once you find out to not build up to higher doses, which will involve higher risks for possible shot reactions. This way we prevent the risk of an allergic reaction to shots which can in turn affect the baby. If you know you are already pregnant before starting shots then it is much better to wait until the baby is born to start immunotherapy.
In general, allergy shots can be started after 2 years of age and continued until 75 years old. However, as with any medical treatment, there are sometimes exceptions which vary on the individual needs of the patient; there are cases when patients younger than 2 or patients older than 75 can be on allergy shots.
Continue reading “20 Allergy & Asthma Questions You Always Wanted to Know” »
Ever paid close attention to the details of our company logo? Well if you have, you already know it contains 4 distinct icons – each one representing a type of allergy we treat. The BEE represents allergy to insect bites and venom.
Today we have decided to showcase our BEE and make it a bit friendlier for all of you. Here’s a BEE-fitting treat (cookie recipe) for all to enjoy!
We have chosen from the best, Cybele Pascal, the guru of all-things edible allergy-free, author, mother, baker and also allergic herself. Whether you have received the bee-shaped cookie cutter from us or not, just follow the instructions below for a batch of delicious allergen-free cookies.
Make sure you tweak to your allergy needs or the ones of your loved ones, indulge over the holidays, and share the pictures of your creations (if you want) on the comment section of our blog below. We’d love to hear from you.
Ingredients: (makes about 2 dozen 3-inch cookies)
*Basic Gluten Free Flour Mix
Ingredients:
Special Instructions:
To measure flour, use a large spoon to scoop flour into the measuring cup, then level it off with the back of a knife or straightedge. Do not use the measuring cup itself to scoop your flour when measuring! It will compact the flour and you will wind up with too much for the recipe.
Combine all ingredients in a gallon-size zipper-top bag; Shake until well blended; Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Baking Instructions:
Reprinted with permission from The Allergen-Free Baker’s Handbook by Cybele Pascal (Celestial Arts; 2009). Allergy-Free Oatmeal Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookies ©2010 by Cybele Pascal.
Disclaimer: Please note that [the] recipe is completely free of all top allergens (wheat, dairy, soy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, fish, shellfish, and gluten), so as many people as possible can enjoy them. Additionally, all the ingredients are available at Whole Foods, and online at Amazon.com. If you have trouble finding something, let Mrs. Pascal know and she’ll help you find it.
Safety Note: Because each person’s food sensitivity and reaction is unique, ranging from mild intolerance to life-threatening and severe food allergies, it is up to the consumer to monitor ingredients and manufacturing conditions. If manufacturing conditions, potential cross contact between foods, and ingredient derivatives pose a risk for you, please re-read all food labels and call the manufacturer to confirm potential allergen concerns before consumption.
Source: http://cybelepascal.com/allergy-free-oatmeal-raisin-chocolate-chip-cookies/
Do you suspect you may have food allergies? Avril of New York suspected she may have had food allergies:
“There were certain days when I would have digestive issues and be incredibly tired, even if I had a good 8 hours of rest the night before”.
Avril started a journal and it didn’t take long for her to recognize patterns.
“The diary allowed me to pay closer attention to the foods I was eating and I noticed certain foods would give me the exact same symptoms every time I ate them, I knew I had to see a doctor after that”.
She had a consultation with her local allergist and showed the logs to her doctor.
“He was so impressed that all my foods and symptoms were easily accessible. I ended up being allergic to gluten; it was great to finally figure out what was wrong and discover the solution to feeling better”.
Have you ever had any symptoms that lead you to suspect you may have food allergies? They may be so random, that the first thing you will be required to do is to keep a detailed food journal. With technology ruling our life there’s only one thing available day and night more than a journal and a pen, and it’s our phone.
What better than an app? ALLERGY JOURNAL is the new one.
The ALLERGY JOURNAL app is the perfect tool for anyone who suspects they may have allergies and wants to log their food intake for their doctor, anyone who knows they have allergies and wants to pay closer attention to their diet, or for someone who simply wants to utilize a diet-tracker. The ALLERGY JOURNAL app was created by IBKR and is available on both iTunes and Google Play.
Tip #1: Food Allergies In School Food allergies affect approximately 8% of children. The 4 major food allergies in children less than 18 years of age are peanut, milk, shellfish, and tree nuts. Most fatal food reactions occur with peanut and tree nuts. Severe food allergies are highest in the 14-17 year age group. Most food allergic reactions occur in the classroom, not the lunchroom!
Children with multiple food allergies have a three-fold increased risk of a severe reaction. Children with food allergies and asthma tend to have more severe reactions. Administration of an antihistamine (e.g. Benadryl), and delay of administration of epinephrine is the #1 error in treatment of severe food allergic reactions at school. In the event of a serious allergic reaction, follow three simple steps:
When in doubt, administer epinephrine! There is NO absolute contraindication for epinephrine when treating anaphylaxis. Administering epinephrine in time will save someone’s life.
When you suffer from food allergies or are the parent of children with food allergies, the always impending question when holiday season kicks in is: “why is there food everywhere?” Here are a few Do’s and Dont’s of a gracious allergy-free holiday party…
You are told by your allergist to:
A(void)
C(ommunicate)
T(each)
And
R(ecognize)
E(pinephrine)
Act(ivate preparedness)
However, there are so many factors when it comes to delivering the message to friends and family members who only see you once a year. Where’s the limit between communicating with good intentions and looking like a control freak?
It may seem redundant, but 2 key steps to communicate one’s allergies properly are: avoid and teach.
Learning how to avoid the all too common cross-contamination reaction is very important, especially so, during festivities where “food” is the main attraction. Serving tools, dishware, napkins, trays, essentially anything that comes and goes from/to the kitchen can accidentally come in contact with an allergen if not previously inspected and communicated. The goal of a host is to entertain their guest(s) as best as possible so with strict guidelines and accurate communication set in place, your allergy-safe lunch/dinner party can go on without a glitch.
Teaching your child(ren) with food-allergies and friends/family how to properly read food labels can be a life saver. Nowadays many allergens (eggs, soy, milk, nuts, etc.) are mixed with other seemingly “safe” foods, so carefully examining every food label can avoid everyone an unwanted allergic reaction.
Bottom line is, despite your food allergies, the holidays can still be a happy and a healthy time of the year. Nonetheless, some planning ahead of time, education and a few tweaks on common traditions will be necessary for a merry old time!
allergistmom.com allergyhome.org
MYTH. Choose to say yes to washing your hands for the entire length of the Happy Birthday tune (after all that’s what surgeons do before putting on their gloves). Say yes to disposable hand wipes when it comes to wiping surfaces; No to hand sanitizers and sponges which spread bacteria instead of getting rid of them.
MYTH. Cross contamination can be as dangerous as direct contact. It is always advisable to “preview the crime scene” and make sure that there are no allergic traps anywhere. Pulling the peanuts out of the store-bought nut mix or taking the eggs out of the Cobb Salad is not a safe option EVER. Once the culprit ingredient has touched a surface or any other food… and faster than you can say “oh no they can’t eat that!”, cross-contamination has already taken place. The safest best is to alert the food-allergy sufferer not to eat from that particular dish.
TRUTH. Having food allergies doesn’t mean not being able to enjoy the delicious array of once-a-year foods. Simply, take your time to find allergy-safe alternative recipes to those loved traditional dishes, so everyone can enjoy the holidays.
Some recurring questions our doctors are asked (they were a
lso addressed at the “Navigating the Holidays” webinar conducted by Kids with Food Allergies Foundation), and are mentioned here too!
Explain the restrictions with time, make the host comfortable, allow an open conversation, offer to bring your food if it would make things easy without compromising the hostess’ pride in her best turkey or mashed potatoes.
Kids running and playing with “PB&J hands”, grandparents kissing and holding their grandchildren after having had a bunch of nuts from the adult’s room: skin contact can trigger not only reactions, but also those unpleasant family reunion discussions and misunderstandings if not diplomatically addressed. Food allergies come with you wherever you go, facing them and having to live with them can be stressful and scary at times, often at the very beginning when you realize that your kid’s life will always be different. To let festivities unfold in the most pleasant and memorable manner, the other parents will have to be informed with clarity what contact to an allergen can cause to your kid and the consequences that the whole party of guests will have to go through.
9 Trick-Or-Treating tips to celebrate an allergy-free Halloween:1. The “At Least One” Tip: 1 parent (or guardian), 1 cell phone and 1 packet of hand wipes.
2. The “Must” Tip: carry Epinephrine at all times if you suffer from severe allergies.
3. The “No Thank You” Tip: never be ashamed or feel silly for saying “no thank you” when offered an item you know is not safe.
(…look for free bonus further down this post…)
4. The “Substitute” Tip: here’s a list of items to give out other than candies: coloring pencils, stickers, plastic jewelry or mini toys, art supplies.
5. The “Stomach Full” Tip: eat dinner before trick-or-treating so that your child(ren) will not be tempted to eat every candy in sight.
6. The “Trick-Or-Trade” Tip: have your child trade the candy collected for a wrapped gift and donate the candy instead. Trade safe for unsafe candies when back home.
7. The “Be Prepared” Tip: consider buying some allergy-free treats to give out to your neighbors.
8. The “No Way Jose” Tip: never have your child eat any treats before having read all the labels.
9. The “Think Outside the Box” Tip: instead of heading out door-to-door looking for candy, plan a different and fun activity for your kids (like a scavenger hunt where they can find allergy-safe treats)
(….and now the FREE BONUS we promised you!)
Click here to download the FREE STICKERS we have created for you. Use them profusely on your costume, lunch box, school bag, etc…. We know you are well aware of your kids’ allergies and how to keep them safe, but we want everyone your kid might come in contact with to also be mindful . These stickers will come in very handy in alerting people what items are NOT SAFE for your child(ren).
Because we’ve all been there…you come home after a full day of candy-infused activities and now your home looks like a giant piñata just broke open. Well here are 4 GAMES to manage all those treats:
Vacation is pretty much over for kids and parents alike as “back to school” day approaches. School supplies, uniforms, and after-school activity enrollments are now at the top of most “to do lists”. Allergy and asthma conditions, however, can pose additional challenges to the excitement and expectations of starting a new year. Managing symptoms, in the less intrusive way possible, in order to ensure a safe and productive school year ahead is top priority for parents.
A = Allergy
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food allergies affect 8% of children in the United States.
A = {Food} Allergy: Eight foods (commonly referred to as “the big 8”) are responsible for 90% of all food allergic reactions in the United States: peanut, milk, eggs, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish and shell-fish.
E = Epinephrine: Recent studies indicate that as many as 24% of emergency epinephrine (commonly known as EpiPen) administrations in schools involve previously unknown allergies. It is very important for parents to learn to spot the signs of a serious allergic reaction, especially as the new school year begins.
A = Anaphylaxis
Symptoms of a food-induced allergic reaction most commonly include: hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, and in some severe cases, a total system shut-down (commonly known as anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock). It is crucial for undiagnosed children, already showing symptoms of food allergies, to be brought in for testing with an allergy specialist.
A = Asthma
Asthma affects 1 out of every 10 school-aged children. Although asthma can begin at any age, most children experience their first symptoms by the age of five. Signs to look for include: frequent coughing spells, irregular breathing, chest tightness, a whistling sound when breathing, and shortness of breath. Although there is no cure for asthma, with proper treatment by an asthma specialist, your child can live an active, normal life.
B = Breathe Easy Once Again!
With multiple locations throughout Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, Florida Center For Allergy & Asthma Care makes it easy for every patient to keep allergies and asthma under professional care.
C = Call us today!
Parents of children diagnosed with allergies or asthma should consider the following when going back to school:
– Complete a School Action Plan with your child’s allergy and asthma specialist and submit to teachers, school administrators, cafeteria staff, and athletic coaches. This includes and identifies triggers, symptoms, treatment, and emergency management of your child’s potentially life-threatening allergies.
– Provide your child’s school with prescriptions and any medication your child may need, including two doses of epinephrine (EpiPen).
– Whenever possible, provide specially-prepared daily meals and snacks for children with food allergies.
– Check-out this must have list: 15 Steps to Managing Life with Food Allergies
– Work with your child on understanding their condition, identifying triggers and symptoms, using their medication, and what to do in case of exposure.
– Obstacles can be surmounted when the proper precautions and instructions are followed, which will ensure your child remains safe and healthy at school, and life remains as normal as possible.
– Speak with physical education teachers and coaches regarding indoor alternatives for children with exercise-induced asthma.
Working with an allergy and asthma specialist can help parents learn to manage their child’s daily care, safeguard their home and school from triggers, inform care-givers on their child’s condition, and develop a School Action Plan for managing symptoms and emergency care. Make an appointment today and be ready for the new school year!
May 13 to 19, 2012 is FAAW (Food Allergy Awareness Week) promoted by FAAN.org — just as a reminder, we do the FAAN walk in Coral Gables every year supporting them….make sure you come and join us next time!
The call to action is a clear shout out: Do you have a school where you can give a speech to kids about food allergies? Do you have a story to tell? Did you ask your Governor to make a Proclamation? Do you use social media?
FAAN created an area in their blog where posts will be published all week long. The first title is “Safe” Cake.
FAI (Food Allergy Initiative) last week announced the merger with FAAN and promoted a “I love someone with food allergies” campaign where anybody can participate by posting something they do to love that person.
AllerMates, producing kid friendly allergy alert products, announced a new fundraising initiative that promotes not-for-profit causes and awareness at the same time through the purchase of their products.
AllergyMoms is giving out their book to parents who likes their Facebook page.
Life, Gluten Free is supporting a giveaway sponsored by Olli-Lolli one company that produces allergy free apparel for kids.
“One small random act of food allergy education” is what A grateful foodie is promoting
First of all here’s all you ought to know at a glance: the 8 allergy foods, labeling, symptoms, reactions and life-threatening episodes.
Kristin Beltaos writes A Gift of Miles how to manage a balanced life with challenges like food allergies.
The Princess and the Peanut: a Royal Allergic Fairytale: our favorite fairy tale that talks about a princess but it’s not only for all the girls out there, but also for all those princes allergic to peanuts.
No Nuts Moms Group … it goes without saying
For safety legal opinions we go to OneSpot Allergy written by Elizabeth Goldenberg mother of two sons, one of whom has a life-threatening allergy to nuts and tree nuts.
The Kids With Food Allergy Foundation is the nation’s largest online community.
Allergy Eats is a multiple award-winning, praised and a
cclaimed app launched by a father of kids allergic to several foods: the first one to set foot officially in Disney World. Eat with no worries in 3 steps: choose food (they are only 8), select location, type name of restaurant if you have it and there’s no need to fast.
Some Curious Stuff
Allergies at the movie theater
How to say “I’m allergic to peanuts” in Chinese? Go to Allergic Traveler where they provide pocket size cards translated in 17 languages. The benefit? Wherever you travel to, for work or pleasure, you can be sure you will enjoy the benefits instead of worrying.
A leading delivery pizza brand launched a “gluten free” pizza crust, most probably piggy backing the latest Hollywood trend of going gluten free to lose weight. The point is celiac disease needs to be addressed professionally and cautiously.
The leading brand of epinephrine aired a TV spot that caused so much controversy that it had to be pulled off the TV screens.
Ultimately, we don’t want this to be a sad or tragic post but we feel it is very important we all become aware of the truths, myths and potential dangers of food allergies. This week we would like to remember and honor those lives that have been lost due to misdiagnosed or underestimated food allergies. Lets all play an active role in preventing more tragedies from happening – AWARENESS IS KEY TO PREVENTION.