Food Allergy Support Groups

I'm a big fan of face to face support groups when you're dealing every day with an issue like food allergies. I met another mom in Baltimore at FAAN's (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network) annual conference in 2001 when I attended the first time. At the conference, lunch seating is arranged by zip codes so that people can meet others who live close by. We began talking and decided to start a support group. We had 4-6 people who regularly met once a month to swap recipes, talk about safe foods and to provide general support for one another. That group has since dis-banded, but the friendships and help were invaluable to me at the time. My allergist office also ran a monthly support group with the doctor sitting in to answer questions.

If you are interested in a support group, Linda Coss has the most extensive state-by-state list I've seen. Check it out here. If you can't find a group in your area, ask your allergist if they run a group or know a local group. If you're having trouble finding a group, start your own. See if your doctor or local library will let you post a sign. If you have any questions or need help starting a group where you live, let me know .

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The Innocent Turkey

Four days before Thanksgiving and I just returned my frozen turkey. Well, exchanged it would be more accurate. Last night when I moved the frozen Shadybrook Farms young turkey from the freezer to the fridge for it's four days of thawing, the word "prebasted" caught my eye. Hmmm...prebasted with what, I thought. I can do my own basting thank you very much! The ingredient label was vague "turkey broth" was listed as the ingredient for the basting solution. A check of the company website gave a little more information and indicated that the basting solution "may contain butter or other fat". That did it. The turkey spent the night in the freezer until I took it back to the grocery store this morning. Now I have an eleven and a half pound Empire Kosher turkey thawing in my fridge. Ingredients: turkey, water, salt. I can take it from there. Happy cooking!

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Dairy Free Chocolate Chips

Yikes! I just placed my regular order for Barry Callebaut Chocolate chips from the Allergy Grocer and I nearly fell out of my chair when she told me the price. "I have to warn you, the price has gone up...way up" the phone rep told me. I just paid $10.00 a pound (includes shipping) for chocolate chips! I'm going to have to ration out these chips, maybe 2-3 per cookie. Anyone have a more reasonable source for quality dairy-free chocolate chips?

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Advair and Milk Protein

A visit to the doctor this morning has given me a few more gray hairs. I took my son in for sore throat and a cough. The doctor prescribed the inhaler, Advair, a new medicine for us. After a demo, I watched my son inhale the medicine into his body. It wasn't until the drive home that I realized I hadn't asked to read the ingredients of the medication. There it is, right on the box, "contains lactose". I called the doctor's office and checked the Advair website. Sure enough, "Contains milk protein. Contraindicated for those with a milk allergy". Fortunately, my son is fine and the doctor now knows this medicine contains milk protein. I'm still feeling shaky, and very guilty, over this close call. Parents are the last line of defense for their children with food allergies. Another day, another lesson, another close call.

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Peanut Allergy back in the News

As peanut allergies continue to increase among children, another confusing study adds, well, more confusion. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology just published an article that suggests we should be giving our infants peanuts so they do not become peanut allergic. This follows studies that told us to wait until at least age 3 to introduce peanut products to children. Aaarrrggghhh! These studies with their conflicting results are causing me to break out in hives. I must be allergic! Those of us who deal with food allergy every day can only keep hoping that a cure is found. I know studies are necessary, but I'd rather wait to hear the results when they are more certain and helpful. If you care to see the particulars of this research, click here.

In the meantime, talk to your doctor and trust your gut when it comes to best caring for your child.

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Flu Shot Season

It's that time of year. The flu season looms ahead. The recommendation is a flu shot for anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu. However, the flu vaccine may contain egg protein so those with an egg allergy should see their allergist for skin testing to the vaccine. After testing, weighing the risks and benefits helps patients determine whether or not they should get the shot.

There are other vaccines that can cause problems for those with allergies. Check with your doctor/allergist before any vaccine if you have concerns about food allery interaction. The commonly known are:

Chicken Pox Vaccine- to be avoided by those with a severe allergy to gelatin or the antibiotic Neomycin.
MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) to be avoided by those with a severe allergy to gelatin or the antibiotic Neomycin.
MMR was not given to those with egg allergy in the past as it is grown in the cells of chicken embryos. Talk to your doctor as that information has been changing.
Hepatitis B- a prior allergic reaction to this specific vaccine or a known allergy to bakers yeast (the ingredient used to make breads) should be discussed with your doctor.
Polio vaccine- anyone who has had an allergic reaction to the antibiotics neomycin, streptomycin, or polymyxin B should talk to their doctor before getting the polio vaccine.
Hepatitis A - talk to your doctor if your child has a hypersensitivity to alum, a metal used in many vaccines to ensure a better immune response, or to 2-phenoxyethanol, a preservative that protects the vaccine vial from contamination.

Bottom line: Vaccines contain many different ingredients. Treat them like you treat food. Find out what ingredients are in the vaccine and talk to your doctor.

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Sabrina's Story

Sabrina Shannon is a name you won't soon forget after hearing her story. Check out this link for a video made by Sabrina, then age 10.

Less than three years ago, as an eighth grader at Bishop Smith High School, Sabrina died due to complications of an allergic reaction. The reaction began in the school cafeteria after eating french fries- a food she had safely eaten in her cafeteria before. Check out this documentary of her story.

This one's a tear-jerker and will have all parents hugging their child a little tighter today.

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