Hope for the Best, But Plan for Emergencies
Over 12 million Americans have a food allergy, and this number is rising. One clear example, the number of children with peanut allergies recently doubled over a 5-year period. Scientists aren't completely sure why the numbers are increasing, and are working hard to find out. But many would agree that more robust research budgets are needed to study all aspects of food allergies, including treatment and prevention.
And the stakes are high, since Americans currently make 30,000 visits to the emergency room for food allergy every year. Thankfully, one thing that research has demonstrated is that immediately injecting epinephrine - a hormone which suppresses the immune system - into the thigh muscle is the best treatment for severe allergy reactions and anaphylaxis.
Teens and young adults are at highest risk for fatal allergic reactions to food, often because they aren't in the presence of a mindful parent, or perhaps that they tend to consume food more quickly. By studying teens' behaviors, researchers have identified ways to decrease their risk through food avoidance and education, by teaching them to identify the signs of anaphylaxis, to carry epinephrine at all times and to be able to properly inject it.
Anaphylaxis can occur with many different symptoms, and can develop in just a few minutes or hours later. The most common symptoms are usually hives or general itchiness, flushing skin and/or swelling of the lips, tongue or throat. Shortness of breath, abdominal pain or vomiting, and feelings of lightheadedness (due to drop in blood pressure) are other common signs.
If you have a teen with food allergies, or a child that will soon be a teenager, they should know to avoid certain foods, and hopefully feel comfortable asking questions and reading labels. It is equally important that you take the time to go over these symptom details and the proper identification and treatment of acute reactions. And make sure they always have epinephrine available to them at all times.
Yes, this may mean some ongoing inquiries or continual education for your child. But remember, many teens and young adults feel as if they are invincible and/or don’t always plan ahead, so these reminders could save their life!
And the stakes are high, since Americans currently make 30,000 visits to the emergency room for food allergy every year. Thankfully, one thing that research has demonstrated is that immediately injecting epinephrine - a hormone which suppresses the immune system - into the thigh muscle is the best treatment for severe allergy reactions and anaphylaxis.
Teens and young adults are at highest risk for fatal allergic reactions to food, often because they aren't in the presence of a mindful parent, or perhaps that they tend to consume food more quickly. By studying teens' behaviors, researchers have identified ways to decrease their risk through food avoidance and education, by teaching them to identify the signs of anaphylaxis, to carry epinephrine at all times and to be able to properly inject it.
Anaphylaxis can occur with many different symptoms, and can develop in just a few minutes or hours later. The most common symptoms are usually hives or general itchiness, flushing skin and/or swelling of the lips, tongue or throat. Shortness of breath, abdominal pain or vomiting, and feelings of lightheadedness (due to drop in blood pressure) are other common signs.
If you have a teen with food allergies, or a child that will soon be a teenager, they should know to avoid certain foods, and hopefully feel comfortable asking questions and reading labels. It is equally important that you take the time to go over these symptom details and the proper identification and treatment of acute reactions. And make sure they always have epinephrine available to them at all times.
Yes, this may mean some ongoing inquiries or continual education for your child. But remember, many teens and young adults feel as if they are invincible and/or don’t always plan ahead, so these reminders could save their life!
Labels: allergens, allergic reaction, allergy free, anaphylaxis, big eight, dairy allergy, food allergy, peanut allergy, tree nuts allergy, wheat allergy
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