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From the Nurse's Desk

Food Allergy Facts

Approximately 2 to 4% of the population on the U.S. has food allergies. The most common foods that cause allergic reactions are: peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, eggs, milk, fish, and shellfish. Close to 3 million Americans are allergic to peanuts or tree nuts!

Severe food allergies causing Anaphylaxis occur when the body's immune system misinterprets the ingestion of certain foods as dangerous invaders and releases histamine and other chemicals. This response causes an individual to experience the symptoms of an allergic reaction. Symptoms of severe allergic reaction vary from person to person and may include the following:

1. SKIN - hives, swelling, itchy red rash.
2. GUT - cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
3. BREATHING - nasal congestion, cough, itching or swelling of the mouth & throat, difficulty swallowing, hoarse voice, tightness of the chest, wheezing, shortness of breath.
4. HEART - reduced blood pressure, rapid heart rate, shock.
5. NEUROLOGICAL - anxiety, feeling of impending doom, faint or weak.

Severe allergic reactions can come on suddenly and can quickly become a life threatening situation, especially for individuals who also have asthma. People with severe food allergies typically have emergency medication called Epinephrine, or an EpiPen, to administer via injection if they ingest a food to which they are allergic.

Quick action and intervention is always needed for anyone experiencing a severe allergic reaction. After administering an EpiPen, 911 should be called for transportation via ambulance to the closest emergency room.

Learning to live with food allergies takes time. As there is no cure for food allergies, elimination of foods in question is the only way to avoid an allergic reaction. Reading of ingredient labels on all foods, education family and friends, and working with childcare and school personnel are also key to avoiding reactions. In the school setting it is common to have special seating arrangements in the cafeteria for food allergic students and the school nurse and teachers work closely with parents to provide a safe educational environment.

For more information about food allergies, visit:

www.foodallergy.com