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Health & Fitness

Food Allergy Awareness Week

There are an estimated 15 million Americans with food allergies, and almost 8% of U.S. children are affected by this potentially deadly disease—that's about two per classroom.

Dr. Sandra Roberson

Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Clinic

There are an estimated 15 million Americans with food allergies, and almost 8% of U.S. children are affected by this potentially deadly disease—that’s about two per classroom.  A recent CDC study showed that food allergies are on the rise. Diagnoses jumped 18% between 1997 and 2007 without any clear reason why.

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Though almost any food can cause an allergic reaction, eight foods account for about 90% of all reactions in the U.S.: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish. Even trace amounts of an allergen can cause a reaction, which can range from a mild response like an itchy mouth to anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially deadly reaction.

There is no cure for food allergies, but an accurate diagnosis is the first step in managing this serious condition. More research is needed, but connecting with people that share similar concerns is helpful. 

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About a third of kids with food allergies report that they’ve been bullied because of their allergies. Food allergy bullying can be physically dangerous, and is associated with distress and a lower quality of life in children and their parents.

For more information about food allergy bullying and tips on how to talk to your kids about it, go to http://www.foodallergy.org/its-not-a-joke.

This week, let’s raise awareness about food allergies and the challenges our family and friends with food allergies face on a daily basis.

Take a moment to talk with your kids about food allergies and their seriousness. You might even want to try taking Food Allergy Kids of Atlanta’s 1st Annual Food Allergy Challenge by avoiding one or more of the eight major allergens this week.

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