Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, Alaska Chapter

09/11/2025

Does your child complain of an itchy mouth, tongue, or throat when they eat certain raw fruits and veggies? It could be Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS), also called Pollen-Food Syndrome (PFAS).

https://community.kidswithfoodallergies.org/blog/understanding-oral-allergy-syndrome

The pollens of some trees, grasses, and weeds are similar to the proteins of certain raw fruits, vegetables, seeds, or nuts. These food proteins cross-react and cause localized symptoms in the mouth or throat. Symptoms can be worse during the times when the pollen you are allergic to is highest - like now during ragweed season.

OAS/PFAS can cause symptoms such as an itchy or tingling mouth, face, tongue, or throat. There can be some mouth and throat swelling or hives where the food touches the skin. Rarely, OAS can trigger anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction, so it is important to know if you have OAS or a food allergy and how to treat it. Make an appointment with your child’s allergist if they are having allergy symptoms after eating foods.

09/11/2025

Blue Bell issued a recall for Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream due to a labeling error and undeclared almond, walnut, and pecan. The effected products were mislabeled on the carton as Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough but contained Moo-llennium Crunch ice cream.

Multiple locations were impacted. Learn more -
https://community.kidswithfoodallergies.org/blog/tree-nut-allergy-alert-blue-bell-chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-ice-cream

09/11/2025

Alaska Department of Health Launches "Healthy Is" Campaign and Statewide Coloring Contest

September 11, 2025, Anchorage, AK —The Alaska Department of Health is inviting Alaskans of all ages to celebrate healthy living through its new "Healthy Is" campaign and a statewide coloring contest.
The campaign highlights the many ways health can be part of daily life—whether staying active outdoors, enjoying nutritious foods, building strong friendships, or caring for mental well-being.
“Healthy Is” encourages Alaskans to share their own perspectives on what being healthy means, recognizing that health can take many forms. To inspire creativity and spark conversation, the department is hosting a coloring contest for children and youth across the state.
Contest Details:
• Who Can Enter: Alaskan youth ages 3 and up
• Deadline: 4:00 P.M. October 10, 2025
• How to Enter: Download the coloring sheet from this link and submit entries online or by mail.
• Prizes: In addition to a $20 Amazon gift card, winners in each age category will have their designs made into bookmarks which will be sent to their class and be available for download on the website.
This contest also marks the official launch of Hope the Husky, the department’s new mascot who stars in the upcoming children’s activity book, Wild About Wellness with Hope the Husky and Friends. The book, complete with crayons and colored pencils, is designed to encourage healthy choices in a fun, Alaska-themed way. It will be available at the end of the year.
“Health looks different for each of us, but it’s something we all have the power to shape in our daily lives,” said Commissioner Hedberg. “Through the Healthy Is campaign and Hope the Husky, we’re encouraging Alaskans, especially our kids, to see that making healthy choices can be both fun and meaningful.”
The campaign will be ongoing and feature stories, tips, and activities that encourage healthy habits year-round.
More information about the "Healthy Is" campaign, can be found at

Connections for Kids

09/07/2025

The 1st annual Puffin 5k Fun Run was a huge success! Thanks to everyone who came out to support out race. Thanks to Skinny Raven Events, Team One and our race leads Bryan Farthing, David Kingston and Kacie Tempel.
More photos to follow.

07/21/2025

07/15/2025

Alaska's own Dr. Jeff Demain is the guest on the AAFAnoon podcast series. Learn about insects and hymenoptera exposures, pollen allergies and much much more.

In this episode, we talk about managing allergies during the summer. Dr. Jeffrey Demain discusses common allergens seen during the summer such as stinging in...

06/20/2025

Thursday photos

06/20/2025

Camp show.

06/19/2025

Field games

06/19/2025

Lungo = asthma bingo

06/18/2025

Wednesday fun

06/17/2025