... just to another site!  I feel like the topic in which this blog is about will get more exposure being somewhere else.  We will still have our homeschool blog with homeschoolblogger (I love the community here!), but if you wish to read future posts about our food allergy journey please feel free to visit at www.livingwithourallergies.blogspot.com.  The new site does not have a mailng list, so you will have to make a point of visiting regularly to read the news.

     I am very excited!  I sent an email to the Just Born company asking about their Mike & Ike candy, and they sent a response with the following email...

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Dear Ms. Perry,

Thank you for your interest in our MIKE AND IKE® Brand Candies. We strive to be aware and responsive to food allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities and are happy to provide as much information as we can to help consumers make informed decisions about the products they eat.

Because product formulations can change at any time, we encourage consumers to refer to our package labels for the most up-to-date ingredient and allergen information. We are required by law to declare major food allergens on our label. Moreover, it is our policy to voluntarily add an advisory statement to our packages to alert consumers to potential cross contamination risks.

Should you have additional questions about our products, please contact us toll-free at 1-888-645-3453 between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm Eastern Time.

Regards,

Aubrecia D. Cooper
Consumer Relations Representative

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     I just recieved my newsletter from KFA (Kids with Food Allergies).  I love getting this newsletter because it is full of information.  There are always links to awesome websites in regards to everything from research to newspaper articles.  I get great ideas of how to handle our food allergy situation as well as information that helps in advocating.

     You have to sign up on the website in order to recieve this newsletter.  I cannot remember what the cost is, if there is one.  There is also a great forum as part of this site to share in topic discussion with other parents who have children with food allergies.

     I just learned that Breyer's Brand Ice cream is very trustworthy in many flavors!  Finally, something other than plain old vanilla!  But, of course, always read the label!

     As most of you know, we have been using soynut butter for a peanut butter substitute.  We have gotten use to the taste, and Randy and Carson of course have no idea what peanut butter tastes like anyway.

     I recently bought a different substitute, Sunbutter.  It is made from sunflower seeds.  It is just as safe as the soynut butter, but it tastes almost identical to peanut butter!  I thought some of you might like to give it a try.  It might be more convenient to have around your house if you are worried about peanut residue upon Randy's visits.  ONLY A SUGGESTION!  I am in no way implying that I want you to do this. 

Paediatric food allergy trends in a community-based specialist allergy practice, 1995-2006.
This study reports on a fourfold increase in food allergy over 12 years. The study examined changing demand for specialist food allergy services for children aged 0-5 years over the 12 years from 1995 to 2006 as an index of changing prevalence. Retrospective analysis of the records of 1489 children aged 0-5 years referred to a community-based specialist allergy practice in the Australian Capital Territory was assessed. 47% (697/1489) of 0-5 year-old children seen in private practice had food allergy (175 with food-associated anaphylaxis), most commonly to peanut, egg, cows milk and cashew. Over 12 years, the number of children in this age group evaluated each year increased more than fourfold, from 55 cases in 1995 to 240 in 2006. There was no change in the proportion diagnosed with allergic rhinitis in 1995 and 2006 (14.5% and 13.3%, respectively), urticaria (14.5% and 12.9%) or atopic eczema (54.5% and 57.0%). By contrast, the proportion with asthma dropped from 33.7% in 1995 to 12.5% in 2006 and the number with food allergy increased 12-fold, from 11 to 138 patients (and fro m 20.0% to 57.5% of children seen) The number with food anaphylaxis increased from five to 37 children (9.0% to 15.4%) over the same period. There were similar trends in age-adjusted Australian hospital admission rates for anaphylaxis in children aged 0-4 years, which increased from 39.3 to 193.8 per million population between the financial years 1993-94 and 2004-05, a substantially greater increase than for older age groups, or for the population as a whole (36.2 to 80.3 per million population).

So far, most of Randy's reactions were obvious because of the redness he has gotten around his mouth.  But, I learned that the symptoms do not always have to be the same.  They could change at any time.  One thing to keep in mind is that an anaphylactic reaction is systemic.  That means, involving the body systems (heart, digestive tract, respiratory system, etc.)  So, there are many things to watch for.  Here are some I can think of off the top of my head, but you can visit FAAN's site for a better description.

mouth- swelling or itchiness inside the mouth, throat, lips.

respiratory-wheezing as the airways start tightening up.

gut- diareah or vomiting

heart- slowed heart rate as body leaks fluid and lowers blood pressure.

I know I am forgetting something.  I thought I had a list from the seminar, but apparently I do not.  I will get the rest of the information and add it here then.

     I am going to give you a heads up.  This entry will probably be quite long.  I have a lot to say after attending the FAAST advocacy seminar.

     First of all, I want to say that the speaker, Debbie Donovan, was awesome!  I could tell the she really knows her stuff.  I am thankful that there are people out there like her advocating to make the world a safer place for children like Randy.

     After watching her presentation, I realized that I still have a ways to go before I am knowledgable enough to do such a thing myself.  The world of food allergies is very complex, therefore it is something that I realize I have to be part of on a daily basis.

     The great thing is that FAAST has given her a grant so that she can give these presentations for FREE!  I forwarded this to Brandt in hopes that she can come and educated our volunteers, staff, and whoever else at our church about food allergies.

     I couldn't possibly give all of the information from the seminar here on my blog, but I will share some of the details that were new to me...

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     Some of the statistics that were updated from the previous ones I have shared are...

     -1 in 17 children under the age of 3 has a food allergy.

     -Each year there are 150-200 deaths due to food allergies

     -There are over 30,000 ER visits each year due to food alleriges

     -Early teens through the young adult age are at higher risk for fatalities from food allergies

     -It is very common to have a reaction while at school

     -1/3 of all reactions happen away from home

     It is apparent form this information alone that food allergies are on the rise.

     Some other things to keep in mind are...

     -Avoid all Ethnic foods.  Many of them use peanut sauces and eggs in thier dishes.

     -Do not take for granted that the food from a restraunt will be safe every time you visit.   You must check the ingredients everytime!

     -Symptoms of a reaction can change.  They are not always consistent.  I will post a seperate entry specifically with this information.

     -A person could die anywhere form 3-30 minutes after the start of a reaction if the Epi-Pen is not administered fast enough.

     -There are many places that allergens are found.  Bean bags and bean bag toys sometimes are filled with walnut shells!

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     This seminar was focused primarily on back to school.  I am not in that position, but it was overwhelming listening to all of what needs to be done to make sure an allergy kid stays safe!  Even with all the precautions, there is no possible way to be sure that Randy would be safe.  All it takes is one mistake.  On top of that, we would have to make sure that every room he were to visit while at school had an Epi-Pen and that the teacher in charge was trained on recognizing the symptoms and how to use the Epi!  He will be much safer at home with me.  No doubt about it!