PLUK News feed

nytimes.com: Telling Food Allergies From False Alarms

Link: nytimes.com
But recently, Mrs. Keeling learned that her family’s diet need not be so restrictive. Although her children do have real allergies — to peanuts, milk and eggs, among other foods — extensive testing at a major allergy center showed that they were not in fact allergic to many of the foods they had been avoiding. Her 2-year-old son, who had been living on a diet primarily of potatoes, fruit and hypoallergenic formula, has resumed eating wheat, bananas, beef, peas, rice and corn.

Students With Asthma or Allergies and Medication by Self-Administration

Link: Asthma and Allergies Medications
When Should Students With Asthma or Allergies Carry and Self-Administer Emergency Medications at School?
Guidance for Health Care Providers Who Prescribe Emergency Medications.

Workshop help for kid food allergies.

Link: food allergies
Workshops designed to provide support and coping skills to families with children allergic to nuts, eggs, milk, shellfish, or other foods, appear to benefit both parents and children alike.The children enjoyed meeting peers with food allergies, learning how to manage their allergies, and expressing their feelings through play, artwork, and other activities.

Some Children Need More Epinephrine for Severe Allergic Reactions

Link: Epinephrine

New research shows that almost 20% of food-induced anaphylactic reactions in children with multiple food allergies will require two or more doses of epinephrine, rather than the standard single dose.

Mom's Stress Can Predispose Baby to Allergies, Asthma

Link: Stress

Harvard researchers report pregnant women who are stressed about money or relationships have a higher risk of giving birth to babies predisposed to allergies and asthma. Infants of women with high levels of stress during pregnancy had higher levels of immunoglobulin E -- an immune system compound -- even if they had low exposure to allergens during pregnancy, the study found.