FOOD ALLERGIES

By: Eunita Muldrow-Whitt

Researchers estimate that up to 15 million Americans have food allergies. According to a study released in 2013 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food allergies among children increased approximately 50% between 1997 and 2011. Food Allergies affects 1 in every 13 children (under 18 years of age) in the U.S. Thats roughly two in every classroom. The economic cost of childrens food allergies is nearly $25 billion per year. Every 3 minutes, a food allergy reaction sends someone to the emergency room that is more than 200,000 emergency department visits per year.

 Define what food allergy means.

Identify foods that can cause an allergic reaction. How to prevent an attack and what to do if someone is having a food allergy attack. Identify symptoms of a food allergy attack. Learn to manage your diet when you have food allergies.

Identify helpful teaching strategies for kids with food allergies.

Identify helpful resources to use when you have food allergies.

Food allergies occur when your immune system does not know that something that is good for you should not be treated like a germ or disease, so in other words your immune system makes a mistake. Your immune systems job is to protect you from germs and disease by making antibodies that help you fight off bacteria, viruses, and other tiny organisms that can make you sick. However, if you have a food allergy, your immune system goes into frenzy and treats certain foods that contain protein as if it's really dangerous to you. This reaction also happens when you are allergic to certain medication or pollutants in the air like pollen.

Peanuts Milk Fruits Fish

Shellfish Wheat Eggs Nuts

 Rash or Hives

Itchy/Runny Nose

Diarrhea/Stomach Pain
Swelling of the air ways to the lungs Severe trouble breathing/Wheezing/Shortness of Breath

Loss of consciousness

If you suspect someone is having a food allergy attack:

Seek immediate emergency medical care.

If you know the person have allergies to foods and they carry a
Epinephrine Pen be familiar with how to use the device.

If the person is highly allergic to certain foods - dont handle those foods
around them and clean all prep areas after handling certain foods.

Currently, the only way to manage food allergies is to identify the food or food protein that triggers a reaction and then avoid all exposure to that food/food protein. Unfortunately there is no cure for food allergies.

 Read the students individual health care plan. Be aware of signs and symptoms. Know how to use allergy devices Do NOT separate the child from other classmates. Teach children about the severity of food allergies. Inform substitutes about food allergy. Avoid classroom activities that involve certain foods. inform parents of students allergies before food is shared. Keep classroom surfaces clean to prevent possible cross contamination .C

ITS THE LAW . . .

The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) were passed by Congress to ensure clearer labeling of food. As of January 01, 2006, all food products regulated by the FDA must be labeled in a specific way to identify the eight major food allergens.

Asthma and Allergy Foundation Maryland Greater Washington DC Chapter Phone: 410-653-2880 Toll free: 1-800-727-9333 Website: http://www.aafa-md.org The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network Toll free: 1-800-929-4040 Website: http://foodallergy.org The American Lung Association - Maryland State Office Phone: 410-560-2120 Toll free: 1-800-642-1184 Website: http://www.marylandlung.org

 What do you think causes food allergies? Can food allergies be fatal? Are there laws that govern food allergies? If so, what
agency enforce this law?

Can food allergies be managed through a special diet? Is there a cure for food allergies?

 What do you think causes food allergies? The cause of food allergies is unknown as

of now. Can food allergies be fatal? Yes, food allergies can lead to death if medical treatment is not given in a timely fashion. Are there laws that govern food allergies? If so, what agency enforce this law? Yes, the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) was passed by Congress and is enforced by the FDA. Can food allergies be managed through a special diet? Yes, food allergies can be managed through special diet once you know what foods you are allergic to. Is there a cure for food allergies? No, unfortunately there is no cure for food allergies.