Kenilworth Allergy Asthma, Dr Detjen

07/31/2024

If you have food allergies, it can take years to build up the confidence to challenge negative behaviours and attitudes about them from others - something we have been discussing in the past few weeks.

When such comments are directed at children, we need to draw a line. A distraught parent recently described the painful moment when her daughter was excluded from a birthday celebration, ‘You can't come to my party because my parents think your food allergies are really hard work.’

Hearing this was of course upsetting, possibly even more so because it originated from a parent - an adult. We have heard of a number of instances where negative and thoughtless comments made by adults about a child’s food allergies has led the child to feeling particularly isolated and anxious, especially when they are outside the home.

The comment described here happened in school and devastated this little girl. Yet despite her exclusion, her mother said she showed remarkable maturity, suggesting she could give her friend his birthday present the next day. Unfortunately, she also faces bullying because of her food allergies, adding to her daily struggles. Yet despite all these challenges, she remains resilient and is always kind to others.

Where do you draw the line?

07/30/2024

When a child starts to self-carry their epinephrine depends on their readiness. There are factors you can discuss with your child's doctor. Your child is likely ready to self-carry before they are ready to self-administer epinephrine. Learn more about readiness factors.

If you have a child with food allergies, how do you decide when they are ready to carry epinephrine and/or use that epinephrine themselves if they are having a severe allergic reaction? Epinephrine is the only treatment for severe allergic reactions, known as anaphylaxis [anna-fih-LACK-sis]. It gets...

07/29/2024

Every child with asthma should have a written health care plan at school. The most common types are:
� Emergency care plan (ECP) which includes an Asthma Action Plan
� Individual health care plan (IHCP or IHP)
� Section 504 accommodation plan (also known as a “504 plan”)

Which one is best depends on what your child needs.
https://aafa.org/asthma/living-with-asthma/school-health-care-plans-for-asthma-and-allergies/

07/28/2024

Whether it is a weekend get-away or a trip to Europe, vacations are a chance to relax and create memories. But for families with food allergies, a relaxing break can become a harrowing adventure. Follow these tips from American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology to avoid reactions.

https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/dream-vacation-with-food-allergies

07/27/2024

Did you know that good sleep is important for allergy and asthma management?

During sleep, our body works as a mechanic to keep us healthy and get us ready for the next day. If you have asthma and/or allergies, good sleep is vital in managing symptoms.

Lifestyle changes to manage asthma include options like: sleep, exercise, reduce stress, good nutrition, and environmental factors.

07/26/2024

An important reminder from SnackSafely.com during the summer heat!

Never leave your epinephrine in your car, exposed to the sun, or anywhere where the temperature is high.

07/25/2024

Restaurant meals can be a challenge when it comes to food allergies, but happy hours can be especially problematic. These tips offer safe ideas for socializing with friends.

A little preparation ahead of time and communication with wait staff can help you enjoy your social time safely.

07/24/2024

It may only be July, but your child's asthma doctor is booking up fast! Make that appointment!

07/23/2024

For many students, starting college marks the beginning of adulthood and it may be the first time they’ll be living independently. This exciting (and sometimes scary) transition poses special challenges for those with allergies and asthma, and it often raises concerns for parents. A new environment exposes students to different allergy and asthma triggers. The challenges of college life may add additional stress that can aggravate asthma. And, for those with food allergies, dining on campus can seem like a minefield.

But with a little planning, teens can successfully transition from high school to college, and at the same time take a more active role in managing their health.

https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/off-to-college-with-allergies-and-asthma

07/22/2024

Thanks, The Food Allergy Counselor, Inc.! 😊

07/21/2024

Food allergies and eczema are two complex conditions that often intertwine — a link that the medical community continues to research and debate.

Here's a breakdown of the relationship:

ATOPIC MARCH:
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is often the first sign of what's called the "atopic march." This refers to the progression of allergic diseases that can develop in a sequence, starting with eczema in infancy, followed by food allergies, asthma, and allergic rhinitis (hay fever) as the child grows older.

IMMUNE SYSTEM:
In eczema, the skin barrier is compromised, allowing irritants and allergens to pe*****te more easily, triggering inflammation and allergic reactions. In food allergies, the immune system mistakenly identifies certain food proteins as harmful and launches an immune response, which can manifest as symptoms like hives, swelling, or in severe cases, anaphylaxis.

FOOD ALLERGENS:
Certain foods are more commonly associated with triggering eczema flare-ups, especially in infants and young children. Common allergenic foods include cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish, and sesame. When these foods are introduced to a child with eczema and a predisposition to food allergies, they may trigger an allergic reaction and exacerbate eczema symptoms.

MANAGEMENT:
Identifying and managing food allergies in children with eczema is important for controlling symptoms and improving quality of life. This may involve allergen avoidance through dietary modifications, close monitoring of food reactions, and working closely with healthcare professionals, such as allergists and dermatologists, to develop a personalized management plan.

via Red Sneakers For Oakley and https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/fast-facts/eczema-and-food-allergy

07/20/2024

Did you know that summer heat and sweat can make eczema symptoms worse? Eczema is different for everyone, but knowing what irritates your eczema will help you manage the symptoms. Avoid what triggers your eczema as much as possible.

Learn about treatments that can relieve and prevent symptoms:
https://aafa.org/allergies/allergy-symptoms/skin-allergies/eczema/

07/19/2024

Here are some helpful tips for you college bound student from Nut Free Wok!

I've compiled some of my top college dorm room essentials based on our experience of moving two sons with food allergies to college.

07/18/2024

We are grateful to The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation for sharing their story.

Living with food allergies became second nature to us as a family but what we hadn’t anticipated was the exclusion Natasha would face at times because of them.

When she was 10 years old, Natasha went on a school trip to the Isle of Wight for 3 days. Our first instinct was not to let her go, but we knew she ‘needed’ to go on this trip with her friends and not be left behind because of her allergies.

Natasha was very excited and we needed to give her this time and space and to trust her in this. But we especially needed to trust those around her, those who were looking after her. By making sure that we took the time to speak to everyone concerned and plan all possible outcomes, we started to work out how we could make this happen. Following meetings with teachers, phone conversations with the hostel and their caterers, we finally felt confident she would be safe - and she was.
The children travelled all day, and arrived at the hostel tired and hungry.

Unfortunately the kitchen staff had forgotten about Natasha and as the children were tucking into a hot dinner, she was apologetically given two slices of frozen (but safe) bread. She told us that as she nibbled the edges, and her friends watched on with sympathy, she had felt ashamed, ashamed of being allergic.

She did have a wonderful time for the rest of the trip but as she recounted the story to me after she had returned home, her eyes had welled up with tears of frustration and embarrassment.

School trips are a part of school life and at this time of year many 10 and 11 year olds go away for a few days. For some children this can feel scary as they haven't stayed away from home before, and for other children such as those with food allergies, anticipating the trip and the potential for allergen accidents, can give anxiety to both parents and the child.

Please share below any tips and experiences for those parents who may be worrying about their child’s upcoming school/residential trip.

07/17/2024

A perfect summer dessert!

A light and delicate treat that’s perfect for hot summer nights when you still want to indulge. With ripe summer strawberries, and a cinnamon cookie crust this easy-to-make pie will be even easier to devour. This Allergy-friendly No Bake Strawberry Jello Pie is free of: wheat, dairy, egg, soy, peanut & tree nuts. It’s also top-8-free and gluten-free.

A light & delicate no bake treat with ripe summer strawberries & a cinnamon cookie crust. This Allergy-friendly No Bake Strawberry Jello Pie is top-8-free.

07/16/2024

Teenagers dealing with food allergies may find this very helpful.
via Food Allergy Research & Education

“My name is Mikayla and I am currently a sophomore in college.⁠
I discovered that I had food allergies at just 10 months old. Ever since this initial diagnosis, I have been navigating life with anaphylactic allergies to dairy, eggs, peanuts, and tree nuts. After going through rounds of allergy testing and treatments for several years, I finally outgrew my egg and dairy allergies. However, I am still severely allergic to peanuts and tree nuts.⁠

Living with food allergies has been a frequent struggle and growing up I often felt excluded and different from my friends and peers because of this condition. I specifically remember attending birthday parties and school events as a child where I couldn’t eat the same foods as everyone else and the overwhelming feeling of embarrassment that came with it.⁠

Reflecting now as a 19-year-old, I believe that living with allergies has given me unwavering resilience, compassion, independence, and strength. I always try to find the positives in any situation and I am confident that despite the setbacks I have faced because of my allergies, this condition has helped me establish deep connections with others in my community, focus on health and wellness, appreciate life and live authentically.⁠

In the past few years, I have become increasingly involved in the food allergy community and have felt incredibly supported and uplifted by those I’ve connected with so far. In particular, I created a digital platform on Instagram, called Food Allergy Teens (.teens), as a way to foster community, provide resources and tips as I navigate life with allergies, and create a safe space online for others to connect and share their experiences with food allergies. My favorite part about this account is that it is a way for individuals with allergies to be heard, seen, and empowered by those going through similar obstacles and triumphs; I am so excited to see where this account and my journey continue to lead in the future!” -Mikayla Donovan .teens

07/15/2024

Learn how to prevent reactions, including tips on how to stay safe, avoid cross-contamination, and read food labels.

Learn how to prevent reactions, including tips on how to stay safe, avoid cross-contamination, and read food labels.

07/14/2024

This is something we don’t always think about or prepare for, so our thanks to Kids With Food Allergies Foundation for this important reminder.

As Hurricane Beryl slams the Texas Gulf Coast and continues inland, it brings high winds, heavy rains, and potential flooding and power outages. Do you have a plan if you need to evacuate or shelter in place?

✔️ Medicine (including OIT doses and a way to keep medicines at a safe temperature)
✔️ Safe food (and a way to open/heat if needed)
✔️ Drinking water (plus extra if you need to mix up special formula)

If you have a child with a food allergy, major weather events or disasters could affect how you manage their food allergy in unexpected ways. When events like wildfires, tornadoes, severe flooding, or earthquakes occur, you may not be able to easily get safe food for your child. The Federal Emergenc...