Introduction to Food Allergies
By the time I became a mom, I had learned a thing or two about food allergies. I developed an egg allergy as an adult (I can eat eggs if they’ve been baked into a product, but not scrambled) and, despite eating peanuts throughout my pregnancy, I developed a peanut allergy after giving birth to my daughter in 2018.
But it wasn’t until my daughter had several alarming reactions to different foods, that I started to fully understand the challenges and stresses associated with living with food allergies.
Since then, I’ve learned how common food allergies have become over the years.
Understanding the Prevalence of Food Allergies
According to Food Allergy Research and Education, also known as FARE, 33 million Americans have food allergies. That works out to be about 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 13 children. It is a trend that experts say is growing.
Peanuts are what may come to mind when we hear or think about food allergies but there are several other foods that are considered major allergens: soy, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, wheat and sesame (which was officially added to the list in January 2023). Any of those foods could cause a serious reaction for someone who has an allergy to it.
Personal Experience with Food Allergies
One of the first warning signs for us involved eggs. My daughter was about 6 months old when we first gave her eggs to eat. She immediately rejected the scrambled eggs I had given her. I made sure she had a bite, thinking she was just unfamiliar with the texture and taste. Within 30 minutes, she had vomited and had developed a rash all over her body.
My husband and I didn’t know it at the time, but that is what experts would consider a serious reaction. She would go through several other similar reactions to different foods over the next few months before she was finally tested for food allergies.
The results were surprising to us. Not only was she allergic to peanuts and eggs, but also to several other foods like fish, tree nuts and shellfish as well.
Despite my familiarity with food allergies, I was overwhelmed. It was challenging to try to figure out which foods were safe for my daughter. We were referred to a nutritionist and became habitual label readers. We carefully inspect the label of every food we give our daughter (even brands or products we’ve safely given to her before, since companies may change their ingredients).
We carry doses of epinephrine with us wherever we go. I’ve learned how to bake all sorts of cakes and cupcakes without eggs or nuts, so she can participate in birthday celebrations with family, friends and at school. I make sure anyone who has close contact with our daughter – from family members to teachers to friends – know about her food allergies and understands what they need to do if she has a reaction while in their care.
NBC6 anchor Alina Machado with her daughter. Courtesy: Darling Dreams Photography
The Challenges of Living with Food Allergies
Her diagnosis also made me realize how difficult things can be for someone with a food allergy and their families.
I know firsthand about the constant worry parents of children with food allergies feel as we try to find the right school or figure out a safe place to eat out while on vacation.
Resources for Food Allergies
If you or a family member has been diagnosed with a food allergy, learning as much as you can about the allergy and advocating for yourself or your family is the best thing you can do to stay safe.
Take the time to understand your allergy and how to manage it.
Write down any questions you may have before your doctor’s appointment: What is epinephrine? What options do you have to administer it? When should you use it? What are the signs of anaphylaxis?
FARE has a long list of resources that may help you navigate a food allergy diagnosis.
FARE also has a sample emergency care plan you can review with your doctor, detailing the signs of a severe allergic reaction and the steps that should be taken in the event of a reaction or exposure to a known allergen.
You can learn more about food allergies from the Food and Drug Administration.
Red Sneakers for Oakley, a food allergy awareness organization, may also be helpful.
We can all work together to help make life a little easier and safer for those navigating a food allergy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, living with food allergies can be challenging, but with the right resources and support, it is possible to manage them effectively. As a parent of a child with food allergies, I have learned the importance of being vigilant and advocating for my daughter’s safety. I hope that by sharing my experience, I can help raise awareness about food allergies and the importance of supporting those who live with them.
FAQs
Q: What are the most common food allergens?
A: The most common food allergens are peanuts, soy, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, and sesame.
Q: How many people in the US have food allergies?
A: According to FARE, 33 million Americans have food allergies, which is about 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 13 children.
Q: What is epinephrine and when should it be used?
A: Epinephrine is a medication used to treat severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. It should be used when someone experiences symptoms such as difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, or a drop in blood pressure.
Q: How can I learn more about food allergies and manage them effectively?
A: You can learn more about food allergies from organizations such as FARE, the Food and Drug Administration, and Red Sneakers for Oakley. It’s also important to work with a healthcare provider and a nutritionist to develop a personalized plan for managing food allergies.
