Home » Healthy Living

Food Allergy Facts

Ranked #14,140 in Healthy Living, #222,754 overall

Welcome to Food Allergy Facts

I co-authored the book Food Allergies For Dummies with Dr. Robert Wood of Johns Hopkins Children's Center. We created a Web site to promote the book at DrRobertWood.com, but I wanted to do a little more to draw attention to our book, increase awareness of food allergies, and point out some other resources on the Web where you can go for information and support.

Keep in mind that nothing in this lens is a replacement for medical care from a qualified physician. If you have or suspect you have a food allergy, please see your family doctor and consult an allergist, preferably one who has considerable knowledge and experience in diagnosing and treating food allergies.

You may also notice some ads floating around the page, over which I have no control. I noticed one the other day advertising ELISA/ACT and IgG testing. These tests and the treatments they call for are bunk. Don't trust everything you see online. We have an entire chapter in the book that debunks these alternative tests and treatments. Consult an allergist, particularly one who is up to speed on food allergies, before trying any test or treatment you may read about online.

Childhood Food Allergy Rises 18% in 10 Years

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recently released a report entitled "Food Allergy Among U.S. Children: Trends in Prevalence and Hospitalizations" concluding that childhood food allergies are up 18% over the last decade. Listed among its key findings are the following:

  • In 2007, approximately 3 million children under age 18 years (3.9%) were reported to have a food or digestive allergy in the previous 12 months.

  • From 1997 to 2007, the prevalence of reported food allergy increased 18% among children under age 18 years.

  • Children with food allergy are two to four times more likely to have other related conditions such as asthma and other allergies, compared with children without food allergies.

  • From 2004 to 2006, there were approximately 9,500 hospital discharges per year with a diagnosis related to food allergy among children under age 18 years.


Daniel J. DeNoon also wrote an article about the study for WebMD Health News entitled "Food Allergy in Kids Up 18%." In an article we posted on our Web site some time ago, entitled "Food Allergy Epidemic?" Dr. Wood explores some of the possible causes behind the sudden increase in food allergies and related conditions.

Food Allergies For Dummies

From the Authors of the Book

Dr. Robert Wood's Food Allergy site offers a description of the book, table of contents, sample chapter, food allergy glossary, information about the authors, links to other websites, and several articles on various food-allergy-related topics.
Loading

Exploring the Soy Peanut Connection

Relatively recently, a message was floating around the Internet that caused some undue concern among people with peanut allergy and parents of children with peanut allergy. The message encouraged parents of children with peanut allergy to have their children avoid soy products as well--a potentially harmful recommendation, unless, of course, your child is allergic to soy, as well.

Here's an excerpt from the message:

According to Dr. Yman, PhD of the Swedish National Food Administration, "If your child is allergic to peanuts, you should consider eliminating soy as well as all peanuts from your child's diet, even if your child has never reacted poorly to soy in the past. Some sensitive children have "hidden" soy allergies that manifest for the first time with a severe - even fatal - reaction to even the low levels of "hidden" soy commonly found in processed food products. Those at the highest risk suffer from asthma as well as peanut allergy."

The problem is that unnecessarily eliminating soy from your diet can lead to nutritional deficiencies. FAAN (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network) has an excellent FAQ called Peanut Allergy and the Risk of a Severe Reaction to Soy that provides reliable information on this topic. I encourage you to read it, spread the word, and consult your allergist before making any dietary changes.

Recommended Food Allergy Sites

Whenever you wander off the beaten path, you may discover some wonderful new thing, but you have to be very cautious when searching websites, blogs, and discussion forums for medical information or guidance. Consult a qualified allergist who has experience in diagnosing and treating food allergies before trying anything that a non-medical professional recommends online or off. Steer clear of any sites promoting alternative tests and therapies that have not yet been approved by the medical community.

1

Vote Up
Vote Down

Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network

The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network is the best of the best on the Web. It is packed with reliable medical information and guidance and plenty of tools to inprove education, advocacy, research, and awareness.1 point

2

Vote Up
Vote Down

Food Allergy Initiative

The Food Allergy Initiative offers excellent information on the 8 foods that are responsible for 90 percent of the food allergies. Site features practical guidance on living with food allergies, and excellent information for restaurant owners, cooks, and servers.0 points

3

Vote Up
Vote Down

AllergyMoms.com

The AllergyMoms website provides support for parents of kids with food allergies. We feature articles and products for children with peanut allergy, milk allergy, egg allergy, wheat allergy, nut allergy, soy allergy, sesame allergy, shellfish allergy and multiple food allergies. We also provide new...0 points

4

Vote Up
Vote Down

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), a not-for-profit organization founded in 1953, is the leading patient organization for people with asthma and allergies, and the oldest asthma and allergy patient group in the world. Click the Allergies tab at the top of the opening page and click Food and Drug to access the good stuff.0 points

5

Vote Up
Vote Down

Kids with Food Allergies

Kids With Food Allergies (KFA) is a U.S.-based national tax-exempt nonprofit food allergy support group dedicated to fostering optimal health, nutrition and well-being of children with food allergies by providing education and a caring support community for their families and caregivers. Site features recipes, resources, allergy alerts, links to other food allergy Web sites and discussion forums.0 points

6

Vote Up
Vote Down

Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics

Founded in 1985, AANMA is a national nonprofit network of families whose desire is to overcome, not cope with, allergies and asthma. The shortest route to that goal is knowledge - that's why AANMA produces the most accurate, timely, practical, and livable alternatives to suffering. This site features one of the most innovative navigational tools I've seen on a food allergy Web site - Breatherville.0 points

7

Vote Up
Vote Down

American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

Asthma & Immunology Online, an information and news service for patients, parents of patients, members, the news media, and purchasers of health care programs. Site features member information, patient information, and a searchable directory of allergists.0 points

8

Vote Up
Vote Down

Anaphylaxis Canada

Anaphylaxis Canada is dedicated to helping people live with deadly allergies. This site features a very helpful definition of "anaphylaxis," tips and tools for living with anaphylaxis, product alerts, and a special area just for kids and their parents.0 points

9

Vote Up
Vote Down

The Food Allergy Project

The Food Allergy Project: Saving Children's Lives is dedicated to reversing the dangerous surge in the prevalence of food allergies that threatens children's health and well-being. There are currently no medications to cure or control food allergies. We must find a cure.0 points

10

Vote Up
Vote Down

The Anaphylaxis Campaign

The Anaphylaxis Campaign provides information on peanut allergy and allergic reaction to agents including egg, milk, shellfish and wasp and bee stings.0 points

11

Vote Up
Vote Down

American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology

Established in 1943, the AAAAI works to support our 6,500 members worldwide in providing high quality, compassionate health care for those with allergy, asthma and immunologic disorders. Content is offered for both medical professionals and patients, and the site features a searchable directory of allergists.0 points

12

Vote Up
Vote Down

AllergicChild

Allergicchild.com was created for parents and other caregivers to help the food allergic children in their lives stay safe while living a full life. This site offers useful information, especially for parents whose children have been recently diagnosed with food allergies and are looking to have their many questions answered.0 points

13

Vote Up
Vote Down

Nut Safe Schools

Peanut and tree nut allergy information, in a nutshell.0 points

14

Vote Up
Vote Down

Protect Allergic Kids

PAK is a food allergy support group in Long Island, NY. Here you can find a list of books, calendar of events, cookbook, food allergy facts, and more.0 points

15

Vote Up
Vote Down

Allergy Watch

Your guide to questionable allergy theories and practices, created and managed by Stephen Barrett, MD - the same Stephen Barrett who runs Quack Watch.0 points

Food Allergy Products & Stores

Star Allergy Alerts
'Star Allergy Alerts' are a colourful, modern range of badges, stickers, bracelets and children's t-shirts. Our allergy alert products are designed to increase awareness of allergies and medical conditions. They are bright, fun and comfortable for your child to wear PLUS they send a clear alert message to everyone that your child comes into contact with.
Beyond a Peanut Flashcards
"Beyond a Peanut" 36 educational flashcards designed to teach children, their families, friends and child care providers about the hidden dangers and possible places that PEANUTS and TREE NUTS may be present. These cards are designed to help individuals learn that staying safe goes BEYOND avoiding nut products. The flash cards introduce, cross - contamination, the importance of label reading and always carrying emergency medication.
Check My Tag
Check my Tag(TM) makes allergy awareness clothing especially for young children at risk. Our unique, patent-pending design offers you peace of mind - knowing that critical life-saving instructions are always immediately accessible! It is the only clothing product that can be personalized to your child's specific needs.
EatingWithFoodAllergies
This site is chock full of tips, food finds, and recipes for people with food allergies and their parents or caregivers.

The creator and manager of the site, Kristi, has a B.S. in Nutrition from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and is a member of the American Dietetic Association. She also happens to be the proud mother of two boys who have food allergies, so she is both qualified and experienced in this field.

The site provides a great deal of free information, especially relating to the top ten food allergens, a free newsletter, links to other food allergy resources, and a small online store where you can purchase books (including cookbooks), allergen-free foods and ingredients, and items for around the kitchen.

You won't find any hard-sell here.
Activeaide
Activeaide(TM) was established in 2005 and has developed a unique range of auto-injector pouches, ID tags, and belts for storing and carrying prescribed medications in a safe and secure manner.

The company's website also contains a comprehensive links page of allergy and anaphylaxis support groups and general information.

Buy It on Amazon

Loading

Reader Feedback

  • SocialpathFree Jun 21, 2011 @ 6:42 pm | delete
    Well done--you listed a ton of resources.
  • MindMart Dec 22, 2009 @ 11:08 pm | delete
    Very thorough lens. Luv the info.
  • bob_riley Sep 15, 2009 @ 3:40 am | delete
    My favorite chapter in Food Allergies For Dummies is about peanut allergy and how to check for traces of peanut in food. My dad has very bad allergic reactions especially to peanuts... Awesome guide for serious allergy sufferers.
    Guide to allergy treatment
  • WorldTravelers916 Sep 15, 2008 @ 1:47 pm | delete
    this is a great book, i love my cats!

    la jolla real estate agent
  • WorldTravelers916 Sep 2, 2008 @ 12:20 pm | delete
    i get allergies really bad and this book helped when i went camping.

    margarita recipes
  • Load More
Show All

by

JoeKraynak

I am a freelance author who has written and co-authored dozens of books on topics ranging from slam poetry to computer basics. I teamed up with Dr. Candida... more »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

Explore related pages

Related Tags