Kids' Food Allergies for Dummies

by Mimi Tang, Katie Allen

Overview

Everything you need to know to look after kids with food allergy

Managing food allergy is vital for the safety of kids in your care. The best defence against a serious allergic reaction is knowledge, and this book provides you with everything you need to know, from prevention and diagnosis through to caring for kids at home, school or away on holidays.

• Look after your child in your home and on the go — organise your home and make travel plans that cater for your child's needs

• Provide a safe environment at school or the childcare centre — set up your school or centre to manage allergies with confidence

• Prepare your child to take responsibility for a food allergy — ensure your child knows about problem foods

• Know when allergic reactions are serious — be prepared to treat and manage anaphylaxis

• Get to grips with the difference between types of food allergy — identify immediate and delayed food allergies

• Understand why allergy rates are on the rise — access the latest research on what causes allergies, and how to avoid them

• Prepare for allergy testing — learn how your child is tested and how you can get involved

• Look into future treatments — get a grasp on new allergy treatments and possible cures

Open the book and find:

• Clear instructions for using EpiPens and Anapens

• Simple explanations about different types of food allergy

• Information about how to recognise and treat allergic reactions

• Sample emergency action plans

• The latest research on finding a cure for food allergy

• Key lessons to teach children with food allergy

• Suggestions for food replacements

• Websites to access further support

Learn to:

• Keep the home, classroom and childcare centre safe

• Show others how to care for kids with food allergy

• Educate kids about helping their friends and themselves

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781742468464
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	02/03/2012
Sold by:	JOHN WILEY & SONS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Associate Professor Mimi Tang is a paediatric allergist and immunologist, and Associate Professor Katie Allen is a paediatric gastroenterologist and allergist. Both run patient clinics at The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, undertake research at Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and teach at The University of Melbourne.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

About This Book 1

What You’re Not to Read 2

Foolish Assumptions 3

Conventions Used in This Book 4

How This Book Is Organised 4

Part I: Introducing Food Allergies 4

Part II: Defining Food Allergies 5

Part III: Living with Food Allergies 5

Part IV: Looking To the Future with Allergies 5

Part V: The Part of Tens 5

Icons Used in This Book 6

Where to Go from Here 6

Part I: Introducing Food Allergies 9

Chapter 1: Finding Out How Food Can Make Kids Sick 11

Describing Food Allergies in Kids 12

Reacting badly to food 12

Defining the difference between food allergies and intolerances 13

Pointing the finger at common allergies in kids 13

Busting myths about anaphylaxis 14

Understanding Why Some Kids Have Allergies and Others Don’t 15

Getting a Grip on Allergy Jargon 16

Understanding allergies and allergic reactions 16

Comprehending allergic diseases 17

Defining atopy 20

Taking on the atopic march 21

Watching Allergy Rates Rise 22

Foiling Food Allergies: Prevention versus Cure 23

Knowing the Symptoms 24

Testing Times: Finding the Cause of Allergic Reactions 25

Checking for immediate food allergies 26

Testing for delayed food allergies 26

Managing Allergies Day by Day 27

Supporting Parents, Schools and Kids 28

For parents 29

For schools and childcare centres 29

For kids 30

Looking to the Future 31

Chapter 2: Investigating the Rising Rates of Food Allergies 33

Examining Recently Rising Rates of Food Allergies and Other Allergic Diseases 34

Food allergy increases in Aussie and Kiwi kids 34

Increasing rates of other allergic diseases in Aussie and Kiwi kids 36

Speculating about Why Allergies Are on the Rise 38

Judging genes and food allergies 38

Looking at the immune system’s role in food allergies 39

Being allergic to a Western lifestyle 40

Chapter 3: Preventing Food Allergy in Kids 45

Establishing When Food Allergies Develop in Kids 46

Researching Ways to Prevent Food Allergies 46

Finding Out If Your Child Is at High Risk of Food Allergy 49

Reducing the Chances of Food Allergy Developing in Kids 50

Breastfeed for at least six months 51

Introduce solids at around six months 52

Let babies get down and dirty 53

Get some sunshine in your life 56

Introducing Foods into Baby’s Diet 58

When and how to try new foods 58

Which foods to introduce in what order 60

Part II: Defining Food Allergies 61

Chapter 4: Identifying Immediate Food Allergies 63

Explaining Immediate Food Allergies 64

Understanding mild to moderate allergic reactions 65

Demystifying anaphylaxis 66

Contemplating Common Food Allergies 69

Examining eggs 69

Considering cow’s milk 73

Picking out the peanuts 74

Studying the Not-So-Usual Suspects: Other Food Allergies 76

Threshing out wheat allergies 77

Sorting out soy allergies 78

Hooking up with fish allergies 79

Prying into shellfish allergies 81

Cracking open tree nut allergies 83

Exploring rare allergies 84

Oral Allergy Syndrome 86

Chapter 5: Discovering Delayed Food Allergies 87

Explaining Delayed Food Allergies 88

Understanding the difference between IgE and non-IgE allergies 88

Looking for the right symptoms 89

Watching the timing of symptoms 91

Identifying the age when delayed food allergies begin 92

Diagnosing delayed food allergies 93

Finding Out Which Foods Cause Tummy Upsets 93

Distinguishing Between Cow’s Milk Allergy and Lactose Intolerance 94

Considering how cow’s milk allergy leads to lactose intolerance 94

Looking at lactose intolerance 96

The Irritable Infant 97

Contemplating colic 97

Reflecting on reflux 98

Concerning constipation 99

Thinking about eczema and eating in infancy 100

Understanding that your breast milk is composed of what you eat 101

Chapter 6: Testing for Food Allergies 103

Comparing Testing for Immediate and Delayed Food Allergies 104

Testing for IgE Mediated Food Allergies 104

Using skin prick tests 105

Checking blood samples for allergen-specific IgE antibodies 109

Challenging food allergies in hospital 111

Checking for Delayed Food Allergies 112

Undertaking a home elimination and challenge test 113

Using patch tests 115

Scrutinising Unproven Tests 116

Part III: Living with Food Allergies 117

Chapter 7: Managing Food Allergies 119

Knowing the Four Elements of Food Allergy Management 120

Avoiding the Foods that Cause Troubles 120

Reading ingredient labels 121

Sidestepping allergens with alternative foods 122

Minimising the Risk of Accidental Exposure 125

Knowing when accidental exposure occurs 126

Dodging accidental allergens 127

Being cautious without imposing too many restrictions 129

Treating Allergic Reactions 130

Recognising allergic reactions 131

Deciding on your treatment options 131

Adrenaline auto-injectors 133

Managing Conditions and Medicines That Can Make Allergy Reactions Worse 136

Enlisting the Help of a Dietitian 137

Chapter 8: Caring for Kids at Home and On the Go 139

Shopping for Kids with Allergies 140

Making sense of ingredient labels 140

Recognising which products can be contaminated 147

Preparing Food in the Home 148

Cooking meals 148

Storing food 150

Cleaning the kitchen and home 150

Travelling with Food Allergic Kids 150

Flying with confidence 151

Travelling in developing countries 152

Eating Out with Kids with Food Allergies 154

Calling ahead to restaurants 154

Eating at friends’ houses 154

Educating Others 155

Understanding the issues you should discuss 156

Talking to family members and frequent carers 157

Finding ways to discuss allergies 157

Chapter 9: School and Childcare Staff: Caring for Kids with Food Allergies 159

Keeping Kids with Food Allergies Safe at Schools and Child Care 160

Setting allergy policies 161

Keeping health records 162

Developing a risk minimisation plan for children with food allergies 164

Training staff in anaphylaxis management 167

Arranging first aid rooms 168

Responding to an emergency 171

Taking steps after an allergic reaction 174

Communicating Food Allergy Policies 174

Talking to staff 175

Speaking to families of children with food allergies 176

Explaining allergies to other kids 177

Helping parents understand other children’s allergies 179

Dealing with Food in Schools 180

Preparing the classroom 180

Setting up canteens and kitchens 183

Being prepared in the schoolyard 185

Holding functions at school 185

Taking Allergies on Holiday: School Trips 186

Taking a trip 186

Planning for camps 187

Chapter 10: Educating Food Allergic Kids 191

Learning to Manage Your Allergies 192

Knowing the difference between a mild reaction and anaphylaxis 192

What to do if you’re having an allergic reaction 193

Should you use an adrenaline auto-injector or call an ambulance? 193

Telling People about Your Allergies 194

Deciding who to tell 194

Passing on the most important information to your friends 194

Dealing With Peer Pressure and Bullying because of Your Food Allergies 197

Taking Your Medications 198

Learning how to take your medication 198

Taking your medication with you 199

Earning Your Independence: Going Out as a Teenager with Food Allergy 200

Understanding that teenagers have special needs 200

Knowing the risks: Going to restaurants and staying over with friends 201

Talking to your doctor 202

Chapter 11: Emergency Action Plans 203

Being Prepared for an Allergic Reaction 204

Writing the emergency plan 204

Describing the symptoms of an allergic reaction 205

Listing important phone numbers 206

Managing an Allergic Reaction When a Doctor Isn’t Around 206

Recognising the symptoms of allergic reactions 207

Acting in an emergency 209

Using Emergency Medications 214

Antihistamines 215

Adrenaline 216

Telling Medical Staff What They Need to Know 221

Accessing Additional Support 222

Part IV: Looking To the Future with Allergies 223

Chapter 12: Growing Out of Food Allergies 225

Knowing What to Expect Over Time from Your Child’s Allergies 225

Testing for the development of tolerance 226

Grasping possible reasons behind different rates of allergy resolution 227

Predicting who might grow out of food allergies 228

Safely Reintroducing Problem Foods at Home 229

Knowing when you’re safe to try problem foods at home 230

Introducing problem foods at home 231

Confronting Your Child’s Allergies with Hospital-Based Food Challenges 233

Being Careful With Allergen Avoidance: Trace Amounts in Foods 235

Chapter 13: Treating Allergies in the Future 237

Distinguishing between Tolerance and Desensitisation 238

Tolerance to allergens 238

Desensitisation to allergens 239

Investigating Immunotherapy 240

Administering immunotherapy 241

Trying immunotherapy for food allergies 242

Eating Your Way Out Of Allergies: Oral Immunotherapy 243

Researching ways to induce tolerance 245

Working out if desensitisation is enough 245

Learning About Modified Allergens for Use in Immunotherapy 246

Exploring Other Treatments 247

Food Allergy Herbal Formula 248

Probiotics 248

Other adjuvants and bacterial products 249

Part V: The Part of Tens 251

Chapter 14: Ten Key Lessons to Teach Your Kids About Food Allergies 253

Finding Comfort in Numbers: Many People Have Food Allergies 254

Decoding Labels and Asking Questions 254

Teaching Your Friends a Thing or Two 255

Sitting at the Cleanest Table 256

Eating Off a Plate or Napkin 257

Steering Clear of Sloppy Eaters 257

Avoiding Lunch Room Food Swaps and Food Fights 258

Stocking up on Healthy, Yet Yummy, Snacks 258

Asking for Help Immediately When Feeling Funny 259

Carrying an Emergency Action Plan 260

Chapter 15: Ten (Well, Almost!) Common Food Replacements 261

Replacing Egg in Cooking 261

Finding Alternatives to Cow’s Milk Formula for Babies 262

Swapping Out Cow’s Milk for Older Children 264

Replacing Nuts 265

Removing Wheat 267

Avoiding Soy 268

Replacing Milk and Soy 268

Keeping Away from Fish 269

Sidestepping Shellfish 270

Chapter 16: Ten Myths about Food Allergies 271

Anaphylaxis Can Occur If You Look at a Peanut 271

Touching a Food Can Lead to a Severe Reaction 272

Drinking Soft Drink Is a Treatment for Anaphylaxis 272

Parents of Kids with Food Allergies Are Overanxious 273

Kids with Food Allergies Want to Be Different or Special 273

Overusing Antibacterial Handwash Has Caused the Food Allergy Epidemic 274

Allergies Happen Because We Bubble-Wrap Our Kids 274

Increased Use of Preservatives and Chemicals Causes the Rise in Food Allergies 275

You Can’t Be Allergic to a Banana! 275

Food Allergies Only Affect Kids 275

Chapter 17: Ten (Plus Two!) Top Allergy Websites 277

Allergy New Zealand 277

Anaphylaxis Australia 278

ASCIA 279

Asthma Foundation (Australia and New Zealand) 279

AusEE kids 280

Australian Gut Foundation 280

Coeliac Australia and Coeliac New Zealand 280

Eczema Association of Australasia 281

Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (US) 281

Food Standards Australia New Zealand 281

Ilhan Food Allergy Foundation 282

The Royal Children’s Hospital’s Information for Parents 282

Glossary 285

Index 291