1. What You Need To Know

2. Incidendence 50 million Americans suffer from all types of allergies – Indoor/outdoor – Food & Drug – Latex – Insect – Skin – Eye Resource: Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America

3. Incidence 12 million Americans have food allergy 50,000 emergency room visits yearly Accidental exposures are the major causes of allergic reactions to foods 50 % of subjects in the United States with food allergy have an allergic reaction to accidental exposure Resource: Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America

4. Mortality Accounts for…. – 200 deaths for food allergies FYI – 100 deaths for insect allergies Resource: Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America

5. 8 Common Food’s Cow's milk Eggs Peanuts Wheat Soy Fish Shellfish Tree nuts Cause 90% of the allergic reactions in the United States

6. Cause of Food Allergies Allergic reactions happen when the immune system overreacts to normally harmless protein substances such as pollen, dust mites, food, insect stings, latex, and drugs.

7. Causes of Food Allergy immune system produces antibodies in response to foreign substances in an effort to protect the body from harm.

8. Mild Food-Allergic Reaction Respiratory tract: – Itchy, watery eyes, running or stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, itching or swelling of the lips, wheezing GI tract: – abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea Skin: – hives, eczema, itchy red rash, swelling Symptoms sometimes progress rapidly to Severe Reactions

9. Severe Food-Allergic Reaction Respiratory – shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, chest tightness, tingling of the mouth, itching or swelling of the mouth or throat, change in voice Cardiovascular – Drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness/fainting, shock

10. Prevention Strict avoidance of that food Constant vigilance Just one little bite can hurt!

11. Causes of Accidental Exposures Not reading ingredient label to be sure food is allergen-free Food trading Inaccurate labeling Contamination from other foods from improperly cleaned utensils and table surfaces

12. Causes of Accidental Exposures Allergic Reactions can occur through different contact – Smell – Touch – Taste

13. Food Allergy Facts The same food can cause different symptoms from one person to another Not all people with food allergies have severe reactions Some mild reactions may become severe A food allergy management plan is needed for all persons with a food allergy

14. Common Treatments Mild Reaction – Antihistamines Benadryl Zyrtec Severe Reaction – Epinephrine (Epi-Pen) – Antihistamine (i.e. Benadryl) Counteracts the histamine reaction

15. Onset of Reaction Within seconds up to 4 hours

16. Legal 2006 Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) – food labels are required to state clearly whether the food contains a "major food allergen

17. However…. Who notifies the public that ingredients have changed? No one…. You must ALWAYS read the Labels….ALWAYS

18. References National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/foodAllergy/ http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/foodAllergy/ Bren, L. (2006, March). Food labels identify allergens more clearly. FDA Consumer, 40(2), 37-38. Retrieved September 23, 2009, from CINAHL database.

19. References Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America --http://www.aafa.org/http://www.aafa.org/