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Forbidden Foods: The Latest News on Food Allergies
We may all have grown up on PB&J, but times have certainly changed. "The prevalence of peanut allergy is growing and will likely continue to grow," says Parents advisor Hugh Sampson, MD, chief of pediatric allergy and immunology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in New York City. There's no hard data showing that reactions to foods like milk, eggs, and wheat are also rising, but many doctors believe that they are. Six to 8 percent of children under age 4 have some sort of food allergy, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and babies and toddlers are most vulnerable. Although only about 1 percent of kids are allergic to peanuts, that number represents a 50 percent increase in the past decade. More than 200 people in the U.S. die from an allergic reaction to food each year, and most fatalities are related to peanuts. Sesame allergy, which was almost unheard of a few decades ago, is becoming increasingly common in kids, as are reports of allergic reactions to other seeds and their oils. While many kids get diagnosed after a sudden reaction, lots of children have less dramatic symptoms that parents may not realize are caused by a food allergy.
Unfortunately, even top experts aren't sure what's causing this surge -- and they're actually more confused than ever about how to help prevent food allergies. For years, doctors have told parents who have any allergies themselves to delay feeding their children eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, and fish -- but now the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that this strategy might not be beneficial after all. "It's definitely a frustrating situation for parents who want to protect their kids," says Scott Sicherer, MD, author of Understanding and Managing Your Child's Food Allergies.
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Keikei219- Eczema can be irritated by air born allergies like pollen and dust. try getting your kido on an antihistamine like claritin or what even you and your dr feel is safe. It worked for my husband, since he started taking it, he has seen dramatic improvement in his.
12/28/2011 02:14:36 PM Report AbuseI¿m allergic to dairy since birth, & eggs,coconut,citrus,not peanuts.Mom had to use separate pans because foods leave microscopic residue that I react to.Ask for ingredients everywhere school,work,restaurants,friend,family homes.Restaurants usually fry all foods in the same deep fryer,coconut even 2nd hand I¿m in the ER,go grilled instead.I eat cheerios with apricot juice-French bread has no milk/eggs-IMO not sour cream-Kool-Aid & soda has citrus acid. Married 41 yrs,kids gkids I am happy
10/7/2010 02:14:07 PM Report AbuseI have a sone with Eczema. I was told by his doctor shortly after birth, he had a milk protien allergy causing his eczema. He is now 3 years old and has mild to severe eczema all the time. I have yet to find out why or what is causing it. Any idea? Could it still be related to milk at this point?
10/4/2010 10:57:30 AM Report AbuseMy son has multiple food allergies (age 10). He was never exposed to peanuts, tree nuts or fish and those are his worst allergies. He also has a dairy allergy. He outgrew a wheat and egg allergy. The egg allergy sent him to the ER at 7 months old when he was exposed to it in a jar of baby food.
10/4/2010 10:20:07 AM Report AbuseFood allergies are on the rise. Young children with changing caregivers & volunteers should be identified to keep them well. A resource from Contemporary Pediatrics Magazine Alert Clothing Company."Child safety- a fashionable way to stop food sharing."T-shirts,sweatshirts & totes with child friendly graphics & a message to alert caregivers.Dancing dinosaurs,"Food Allergy..No food sharing without asking my Parents!" Company logo on the back of each item for easy ID. www.AlertClothingCompany.com
1/20/2010 11:43:48 AM Report Abuse