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Jan 9, 2008 10:45 pm US/Central
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Growing Epidemic Of Severe Food Allergies In Kids
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
It's an issue many of us never even heard of when we were children, but food allergies are now striking children at a young age than ever before.
As CBS 2's Medical Editor Mary Ann Childers reports, there's new research that turns some old advice upside down in dealing with this potentially deadly epidemic.
Denise Bunning is the picture of calm, but she'll never forget one incredible night of panic, involving her son Bryan.
"I gave him one sip of this milk-based formula and his eyes swelled, his lips swelled, his eyes rolled into the back of his head," she recalled.
That night, 13 years ago, the Bunnings began their around-the-clock battle against food allergies. Bryan is now highly allergic to eggs and tree nuts; 11-year-old Daniel, to milk tree nuts and shellfish.
They're not alone in their struggle. Up to 8 percent of children under age 3 are allergic to at least one of the following foods: eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, seafood or shellfish.
And the number of kids with food allergies appears to be soaring.
"In our practice here at Children's Memorial Hospital, out of 4,200 visits that we had last year, approximately 48 percent were for food allergy," said Dr. Jacqueline Pongracic.
Why the rates are soaring is still a mystery, but there are theories. According to the "hygiene hypothesis," we're just too clean.
The hypothesis maintains we've wiped out so many bacteria and viruses that our immune systems don't have much to go after. So they attack foods.
Even breastfeeding has been a subject of controversy. Back in 2000, the American Academy of Pediatrics advised breastfeeding women to avoid highly allergenic foods.
But just this week, the Academy changed that recommendation.
It says new research shows there's no reason for breastfeeding women to avoid allergenic foods, or to delay introduction of solid foods for a baby's first six months.
Robert and Lavonda McKissack's children are allergic to dairy. The McKissacks scrutinize labels, not just for milk, but for milk derivatives under other names, like cassinate.
And Lavonda McKissack makes almost all the kids' food, scouring the Internet for dairy-free recipes, in her fight with food allergies.
"Be proactive," she said. "Instead of allowing it to conquer you, you conquer it."
The Bunnings have made curing food allergies a family cause, even lobbying legislators in Washington for more research money.
"I'm not talking about a sniffle. I'm talking about my child can have one sip of something and die," Denise Bunning said. "This is a serious disease."
Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago is looking for families to participate in an international study on food allergies. Researchers are studying possible genetic and environmental interactions that may be linked to the problem.
Here are a few tips from moms, dads, kids and doctors who are experts in the problem.
Be proactive:
- If one of your children has developed a food allergy, get younger children tested as soon as your doctor approves.
- If your baby is allergic to milk, you might want to automatically use milk-free formula for your next baby.
Shopping:
- Read all labels very carefully.
- Check for derivatives of problem foods. For example, cassinate is a milk by-product, even though it's not listed as milk.
Eating out:
- Call ahead and tell the manager you're bringing in a child with food allergies.
- Ask him or her about menu ingredients.
- If the manager doesn't know, ask to look at packaging.
- Ask the manager to make sure grills, pans and utensils are thoroughly clean. Any residue can bring on an allergic reaction.
- Also tell your server, who may know about any "hidden" problems.
- Frequent cooperative restaurants; it will encourage them to address your issues.
Cooking
- Don't panic, there are many substitutes for milk, eggs and other allergens.
- Check out the Internet and support groups for recipes.
Teaching your child about the problem:
- Make sure they understand certain foods can make them very sick and never to take food from anyone but you.
- Reassure them that they're still great kids; they just have to eat a little differently.
- Make a "fact sheet" for your young child to take to school, parties, friends' homes, etc., listing problem foods and what to do if your child has an attack.
Be wary of "cures"
- Never try anything you read about before consulting your doctor.
If you know a child with food allergies
- Be careful not to leave tempting but allergenic food in reach
- Make sure problem food doesn't even touch you or your clothing. Any contact, no matter how seemingly indirect, can set off an allergic reaction.
- Teach your own kids about food allergies so they know how to help their friends.
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