Food Allergy Assistant

Food Allergy and Dietitians

2010-07-29T08:26:00.001-04:00

A new study by Jaffe Food Allergy Institute, at Mount Sinai School of Medicine concludes that pediatric dietitians self-reported their proficiency is only moderate when it comes to food allergy. Dietitians would prefer, and certainly benefit from, more training on food allergy.

Several years ago, our allergist's office hired a dietitian for individuals and families with food allergies. I set up an appointment looking for information on calcium and protein sources for our dairy, egg, nut allergic child. At the time we were also avoiding wheat, soy and corn and I was struggling with preparing balanced, nutritious meals and snacks. During the appointment, I was given hand-outs on specific food allergies. That's about it. She offered little helpful information and I felt like I educated her more than the other way around.

I'm not blaming the dietitian. I just think she was hired due to her credentials and wasn't given satisfactory training in food allergy. There is a need for dietitians who are food allergy savvy. Fortunately ELL and other organizations are stepping up to train dietitians.

Recent similar studies of school nurses and pediatricians have also shown they have limited, and sometimes incorrect, knowledge of food allergies. Those of us in the food allergy circle can help by educating our own school nurses and doctors. Rather than feel upset over their lack of knowledge, pass on relevant research, books and food allergy conference/workshop information. We can all play a role in education.

Food Allergy Back to School Guide

2010-07-26T07:54:00.001-04:00

Yeah, yeah, I know it's still July, but it really is time to think about back to school if you're sending a food allergic child to school this fall. Here are some steps to take now:

Contact the school to find out what paperwork is required for your child to have access to life-saving medication.
Schedule a check-up with the allergist. Bring required school paperwork to the appointment for the allergist's signature. It's easiest if you fill out the portions pertaining to emergency contact information in advance. Many schools require the doctor to complete the treatment portion. Some doctor's offices charge a small fee to complete and sign forms.
Get prescriptions for epinephrine as extra medications will stay at school.
Meet with the school principal and nurse before school begins. Let them know what you need in terms of staff training, access to medications, lunchtime procedures and access to special foods for school celebrations or emergency situations.
Use this time to make sure your child is educated about his/her food allergies. Review the rules of eating away from home and how to identify when extra help is needed. Make sure your child knows who to go to within the school if they need help dealing with their food allergy.

Have I missed anything? Do you have other ways to get ready for school?

So, get that paperwork, schedule those appointments and sit back and enjoy the rest of summer vacation with your kids!

Probiotics and Allergic Diseases

2010-07-23T07:24:00.000-04:00

Results are out for a new study that had pregnant and breastfeeding moms drinking probiotic milk. Their babies were followed for 2 years. The results show a 40% drop in the incidence of eczema. At this point, there was no signifigant decrease in the rate of allergy and asthma rates, but these children will be followed to the age of six in a follow-up study.

As asthma, allergy and eczema are the triumvirate (like that big word? It's Latin for 3 things that go together) , this study gives some important clues into the role of probiotics and allergic disease. Probiotics are live lactic acid bacteria that can be added to milk and some foods. There are many types of probiotic bacteria strains, so check with your doctor if considering trying probiotics as a way to prevent eczema for newborns.

Reliable Tests for Food Allergy Diagnosis

2010-07-21T07:04:00.000-04:00

Skin tests and blood tests are the standards for initial diagnosis of food allergy. Unfortunately, neither are very reliable. I don't know about you, but when the doctor calls and starts reading off blood test results to me, I hang up the phone feeling more confused than ever. If the "almond number" rose from 2 to 15 in the past year, is my child way more allergic to almonds now than last year? What does, "off the chart for dairy" mean? I've never felt like these numbers give me helpful information.

While the "gold standard" for diagnosing food allergy is the food challenge, it is helpful to have accurate information going into the challenge.

Christopher Love, an MIT engineer, is on the trail of a more precise way to measure food allergies in a blood test. His new technology, recently reported in Lab on a Chip, can analyze individual immune cells. Instead of detecting antibodies, like the current blood test does, Love's system screens the patient’s immune cells for small proteins known as cytokines. Immune cells such as T cells produce cytokines when an allergic response is initiated, attracting other cells to join in the response. Those cells are then exposed to the potential allergen for a precise measurement.

Research continues and human trials are the next step, but I'm hopeful that Love's work will allow those of us who deal with food allergies the abilibty to make better ecisions based on helpful and accurate information.

Food Allergy Research Funded

2010-07-19T04:19:00.001-04:00

Last Wednesday, the National Institutes of Health announced that the Consortium of Food Allergy Research (CoFAR), established in 2005, will be funded for five more years. This is a 29.9 million dollar grant and is great news for those affected by food allergy. From low allergy peanuts to polyphenol-enriched apple extract to desensitizing people to their allergens, there is incredible research happening in the area of food allergy right now.

"We are pleased to continue our support of CoFAR, NIAID’s major program dedicated to exploring the causes of food allergy and developing new treatment and prevention strategies," says Daniel Rotrosen, M.D., director of the Division of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation at NIAID. CoFAR plans to expand research into the genetic components of food allergy and broaden research into disorders such as EoE.

This is much needed money for scientists to continue to unlock the puzzle of food allergy. After a LONG dry spell, food allergy is finally getting the attention and funds to address causes and treatment. That's great news for millions of people!

Allergy Medication: The EpiKey

2010-07-16T05:39:00.000-04:00

Epipens® and Twinjects® are a wonderful medical device that save lives of those experiencing an anaphylactic reaction due to food, insect sting or latex allergy. I also find them to be bulky and I worry about my child carrying the medicine as a teen and young adult. It turns out someone else was worried about that too. TCB Medical Devices has developed the EpiKey, a small epinephrine device that fits on a key chain.

The EpiKey was created by Thomas C. Beller, MD., an allergist in South Carolina. Dr. Beller hopes this device will save lives with its small size and ease of use. It's on a fast-track for FDA approval.

I'll keep you posted.

Food Allergy App

2010-07-14T05:07:00.000-04:00

Another helpful tool for people dealing with food allergies is on the horizon. Expected out in mid July 2010, NutriSleuth iphone App allows users to plug in dietary requirements for an instant "yes" or "no" reading within seconds of scanning a product's barcode. Individualized profiles allow users to determine if the food is allowed for each family member. It even offers alternative choices!

Aahhh...simplified grocery shopping...

Food Allergy Reseach

2010-07-12T05:30:00.001-04:00

How about this grandma who burst into action when her grandson was diagnosed with food allergies?. Lita Indzel Cohen started a foundation, FARI (Food Allergy Research Initiative), basing it in the lab at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she serves on the Board of Trustees.

The goal of FARI is to study food allergy and develop a treatment for it. They've been making progress using immune modulation to decrease the severity of allergic responses in peanut allergic mice.

Hopefully FARI research will lead to treatment and a cure for Lita's grandson and many others who deal with food allergies.

As more pieces of the puzzle are added, hopefully appropriate food allergy treatments will emerge. Thanks for your contribution, Lita!

Food Allergy Cooking Show on Oprah Network?

2010-07-09T05:47:00.001-04:00

Oprah begins her OWN TV debut in Jan. 2011. Her casting call brought in oodles of entries and millions of votes. In the cooking category, "Cooking Allergy Free with Dee", soared to the top with over a million votes. Dee is off to Hollywood to convince Oprah, and the other powers that be, that her show deserves a slot.

I'm thrilled to see so much interest in a show like this. Dee is a mother of four. Two of her kids have multiple food allergies. She's like many of us as she tries to find delicious meal, snacks and treats for her children, with the added challenge of avoiding many major food groups.

Good luck, Dee!

Common Sense for Food Allergies

2010-07-07T06:33:00.001-04:00

I heard on the news this morning that a recent study in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine shows that changing to a later start time for high school students is good for adolescents.

Makes perfect sens to me. Years of research has shown that the body clock during the teen years shifts to going to bed later and getting up later. We know this and should use this information wisely.

What does this have to do with food allergies, you may ask?

Well, this study seems like common sense to me. I don't believe we've used common sense for food allergies. Allergic to pollen? Get regular injections of minute doses of pollen to desensitize the body to pollen. Allergic to milk? Avoid it forever.

I've never thought that made sense. We do it in our house because that's the doctor's orders, but it doesn't seem like good common sense. Since getting the blood test results for my allergic child last week, I'm even more convinced. After 10 years of strict avoidance of multiple foods, all numbers are up- by a lot. My child is not out-growing any of these allergies. As a matter of fact, things are heading in the wrong direction.

This isn't good enough any more. I'm hopeful about a cow's milk immunotherapy study published recently in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. This study involved placing cow's milk protein on unbroken skin in an effort to desensitize people.

Just yesterday, DBV Technologies got the go-ahead from the FDA to begin human clinical investigation of peanut desensitization. Trials begin this month in six medical centers in the U.S.

Avoidance isn't working. Desensitization makes common sense when it comes to food allergy. I recognize there are risks involved and I certainly do not recommend desensitization at home right now. But, let's all keep talking to our allergists and pushing for something better than "strictly avoid".

Stay tuned. We're starting to use common sense in food allergy treatment.

Food Allergy Support

2010-07-02T05:13:00.000-04:00

Food Allergy Initiative has an extensive list of food allergy support groups in the U.S. as well as internationally. Helpful for those newly diagnosed, support groups also benefit those more experienced through expert speaker presentations and advocacy opportunities within the community. It is always helpful to learn from others with similiar experiences. Check out a local support group today.

More Food Allergy Protection

2010-06-30T05:39:00.006-04:00

Have you heard about Plane Sheets? These seat covers are perfect when flying with a food allergic passenger. Available in disposable or washable forms, Plane Sheets are the brainchild of husband and wife team, Leslie Danelian and Rick Berge. During their long distance courtship, they made themselves a plane seat cover when they realized how unsanitary plane seats can be. They realized that others may be interested in the product and created a company to sell them.

I think they're a great idea for movie theater seats and other public chairs where food residue may accumulate, causing the risk of a food allergy reaction.

Check out the great patterns and colors and pick up a few for the special food allergic person in your life. Hmmm...maybe a few child-friendly patterns may be in order for our food allergic kids...

Baked Milk and Egg Food Challenges

2010-06-28T04:55:00.011-04:00

We met with the allergist last week. At the top of my list was to talk about food challenges for baked egg and milk. What I found out was quite encouraging.

She told me they've done many challenges for these foods over the past few months and nearly all have been successful. There are now dozens of children and adults in their practice who are successfully eating foods that contain milk and egg that has been heated to a high temperature. The most recent research, she said, is showing that those who eat baked milk and egg on a regular basis may get rid of all milk and egg allergy.

Woot!

We're going to give it a go this summer. She wants to start with egg first, using the angel food cake recipe used at Mt. Sinai for these type of challenges. It contains 12 eggs and will be baked at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. I'm a little nervous after a nerve-wracking and unsuccessful egg challenge a year ago, but I am feeling hopeful.

I'll keep you posted!

Food Allergy Blog Carnival

2010-06-24T07:02:00.004-04:00

Hmmm...There was only one food allergy related post submitted for this edition of the Blog Carnival.

In that case, you're stuck with Rational Jenn and me.

There's a lot of hype about the development of a hypoallergenic peanut. Many people seem to think that this is the scientific development we who live with peanut allergy have been waiting for. I respectfully disagree.

Have you heard about apples and their role in decreasing egg allergy reaction? Check it out.

It's encouraging to see so much research and promising results in food allergy.

ADDENDUM: Thanks Colette for re-submitting your post. I didn't get the first one, but it's a great post, so I want to make sure it's included. Take a look at Learning to Eat Allergy Free for some information on EE.

To submit a post to the next food allergy blog carnival, sign up here.

Have a great day!

Food Allergy Cure With an Apple a Day?

2010-06-21T05:41:00.000-04:00

The Journal of the British Society for Allergy & Clinical Immunology reports on a promising study with implications for food allergy. Egg allergic mice were fed a polyphenol-enriched apple extract and then underwent a food challenge for egg. The results showed the apple extract reduced allergy symptoms. A polyphenol is an antioxidant that occurs naturally in some plants and tends to prevent or neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals.

The role of polyphenols is also being studied in peanut allergy.

I don't claim to understand it, but I like it. The hope is for human trials to be conducted after the positive results of the mice study.

Food Allergy Friendly Recipe

2010-06-18T03:41:00.002-04:00

Just in time for grilling season, I'll share one of our favorite chicken marinade recipes. I throw the chicken breasts in a container or zip-top bag with these ingredients as soon as I buy them. After I add the other ingredients, I make sure I grill (baking works too) them that day or the next. If not, it all goes in the freezer for an easy yummy meal another time. Check out my site, foodallergyassistant.com, for more allergy friendly recipes.

Marinated Chicken
free of dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat and soy
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoons mustard (the kind from a squeeze bottle)
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• ground black pepper to taste
• 6 tablespoons olive oil
• 6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

• In a gallon size reclosable bag, mix the cider vinegar, mustard, garlic, lime juice, lemon juice, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Add the olive oil. Place chicken in the mixture and marinate 8 hours, or overnight.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat or preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Place chicken on the prepared (lightly oiled) grill, and cook 6 to 8 minutes per side, until juices run clear or bake for approximately 40 minutes until internal temperature reaches 180 degrees. Discard marinade.

Low Allergy Peanut on the Way

2010-06-16T03:35:00.002-04:00

US researchers have been able to remove some of the compounds in a peanut that cause allergic reactions. US Professor Soheila Maleki, from the Agricultural Research Service, presented preliminary findings at the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology last Monday. Professor Maleki says they hope eventually to breed a peanut that will "lessen the development and the severity of the allergic response to peanuts".

You can read a summary of the project. Two thumbs up on this one!

Food Allergy Lingo When Talking to School Administrators

2010-06-14T03:09:00.002-04:00

Bookmark the Illinois State Board of Education's Nutrition information page for a thorough index of federal laws and food allergy resources. No matter where you live, it's important to know the laws that have been created to keep food allergic school children safe. The summer is a great time to educate yourself and to begin to meet with school administrators to discuss the needs of your child. Be prepared to request a 504 Plan or an IEP or an Individualized Healthcare Plan. There are many options, but only you and your allergist know the best fit for your child.

Thanks Nut-Free Mom for the head's up on this information.

Food Allergy Tips

2010-06-11T04:40:00.001-04:00

After 10 years of dealing with food allergies, even I find some great tips. Onespot Allergy founder, Elizabeth Goldenberg, shares some spot-on techniques for living safely with food allergy.

Did you learn some new tips, too?

Enjoy Life Helps Food Allergic Consumers

2010-06-09T05:21:00.000-04:00

"Don't Worry, Eat Happy" is Enjoy Life's slogan. I love it and wish I could feel that free most of the time. It's hard to find safe food for someone with food allergies. Enjoy Life has created a Survival Guide to help anyone who follows a special diet.

Check out their great information on a variety of food allergy topics.

While I'm at it, I'll plug their great dairy-free chocolate chips, available in the specialty section of my local grocery store. Now that makes me happy!

Peanut Allergies and Airplanes

2010-06-07T09:38:00.000-04:00

The US Department of Transportation is seeking restrictions on the serving of peanuts on board airplanes due to the increasing number of people with peanut allergies. The peanut industry is not happy with the recommendations. They (correctly) point out that people are allergic to tree nuts, milk, wheat, soy and other foods and no one is calling on a ban of those items.

Okay, can we all just play nice here?

Peanut dust causes an allergic reaction in some who are highly sensitive. Could the airline industry just be accommodating in special cases? People and families who deal with food allergies know what they need. For example, when we fly with peanut, tree nut, milk and egg allergies, I ask to pre-board to wipe down the seating area. I've also had no trouble when requesting that peanuts not be the in-flight snack served aboard our flight. Others may require other accommodations and my hope would be that airlines could meet all reasonable requests.

Here's what the DOT is asking, followed by the peanut industry response.

Food Allergy Guest Post

2010-06-04T05:03:00.000-04:00

Thank you to Jacob Maslow of Allergy Be Gone for this guest post linking food allergy to toxins in our environment.

Toxins and the Rise in Food Allergies

When asked why food allergies are on the rise, New York State Licensed Acupuncturist, Henry Zhen-Hong Lee, stated, “It’s because of all the antibiotics that animals have been given for so many years, and because of the harmful effects of pesticides and a large number of other chemicals that find their way into our food sources.”

Some may ask what these chemicals have to do with the rise in food allergies. To get a better understanding of the severity of the environmental toxin problem and food allergies, here is an excerpt from an article posted at Mercola.com:

Laboratory tests commissioned by the Environmental Working Group have detected bisphenol A (BPA), a plastic component and synthetic estrogen, in umbilical cord blood of American infants.

Nine of 10 randomly selected samples of cord blood tested positive for BPA, an industrial petrochemical.

It should be noted that BPA has been connected to an ongoing list of serious chronic disorders, including asthma, cancer, and many other illnesses creating life-long consequences.

To further emphasize this point, the article explained that the results of the testing found 232 chemicals in the 10 newborns. The evidence is overwhelming and alarming: our children are exposed to dangerous substances that can affect the immune system before birth.

The Connection Between Toxins in our Food and Food Allergies

The body is an amazing and complex organism. It is actually designed to detoxify itself under normal conditions. But, with environmental toxins bombarding us in addition to our natural detoxification processes, the liver is overworked and overloaded. This, though, is just a piece of the puzzle connecting toxins to the rise in food allergies.

Add to this, the digestive problems that are created with the unavoidable toxins, in sources such as fast foods and genetically modified foods, and you have another wrench in the works. The digestive system is what makes the body function. This wrench interferes with the breakdown, absorption and metabolism of nutrients creating a drop in the nutritional properties that support the immune system.

Since the immune system is part of the body’s detoxification system, the lack of proper nutrition and the invading toxins reduce the immune system’s ability to function efficiently . . . or normally.

With a weakened immune system working overtime to sort out and destroy so many dangerous toxins is it any wonder that it malfunctions and begins to attack foods that are mistaken for dangerous substances, thereby contributing to the rise in food allergies.

Sources:
The Daily Green
Immune SystemEtc.com

Submitted by Jacob Maslow, http://www.allergybegone.com

More Allergy Meds Recalled

2010-06-02T05:02:00.000-04:00

The net has widened for the original medication recall of several prominent McNeil Consumer products. The original recall included Benadryl® and Zyrtec®. Now add PediaCare Allergy and Cold® to the list of medicines that shouldn't be used. Check out the additional PediaCare products on the list and clean out the medicine cabinet.

I received a check in the mail from McNeil Consumer Care for $41.00 after I reported five recalled medicines from our medicine cabinet. I'll be filling out another report as the school nurse informed me that the Benadryl® I'd sent into school is also on the list.

I'll add it to my to-do list. I hope that McNeil Consumer and other pharmaceutical companies are being super vigilant about what is in their products. As consumers, we place our trust and our lives, as well as the lives of our children, in their hands. Recalls like this shake my trust to the core.

Food Allergy Carnival

2010-05-28T05:42:00.001-04:00

Looking for some great information from those active and involved in food allergy on the web? Check out the latest addition of the Food Allergy Blog Carnival. From recipes to advice to tips and ideas, you'll find it all at the latest carnival!

Food Allergy Assumptions

2010-05-26T04:37:00.000-04:00

Anaphylaxis Australian says, "assumptions or inactions often lead to avoidable reactions". This is in response to a discussion about dining with food allergy. While those of us who live this every day know that we should never make assumptions about what is in the food we serve to our food allergic loved one,there are several points that bear repeating:

Check all labels every time.
Always carry emergency medication.
Never assume that a food is safe.
Specifically talk to wait staff and/or the chef about food allergy when dining out. Consider a chef card. Leave if "it doesn't feel right".
Know that anything could contain a hidden ingredient- peanut butter in chili, dairy in non-dairy whipped topping. Do your research.

Here's the article that sparked this list. Do you have anything to add?