Anyone who has eaten something and then experiences an unpleasant reaction has probably wondered if they have a food allergy. In fact, one out of three individuals thinks they may have a food allergy or may modify their diet due to a suspicion. Occuring to AAAAI statistics, yet only around 6% of children under the age of three are affected by food allergies, but most out grow these allergies as adults.

What all of this adds up to is that food allergies and food intolerances can be easily confused with each other. Yet these conditions are different in terms of their origin, symptoms and treatment. So what are the differences between the two?

What Are Food Allergies?

Let’s start with the more severe of the two: food allergies. Food allergies occur when the body’s immune system identifies a food as a harmful substance. When the body recognizes anything harmful it will produce antibodies, which are like small soldiers that protect our body’s health.  When the body produces antibodies directed against a certain type of food, it causes an immune response.  This then releases histamine and other chemicals that trigger allergic symptoms. These allergic symptoms are ‘red alerts’, which tell us that something is wrong.

Generally, it is the protein in foods that cause an allergic reaction. Food allergy symptoms may occur right after consuming the allergen or even hours later. These symptoms may affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system or the skin.  In cases of severe allergic reactions there may be a drop in blood pressure or loss of consciousness. Some people have food allergies so severe that they are at risk for life threatening reactions known as anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a rapid series of serious allergic reactions that affect a number of different areas of the body at once.  Fortunately, this can be treated with the prescription drug epinephrine, which is available on-the-go in a pen size injector – also known as an Epi-Pen.

Common food allergy symptoms include:

• Skin rash or hives;
• Swelling of the tongue and throat;
• Breathing problems including asthma;
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea; and
• Abdominal pain and cramping.

Currently, there are no medications that cure food allergies, so it is necessary for children and adults with food allergies to avoid allergenic foods.  It is critical to review food labels and ask questions about ingredients in recipes before consuming any foods. The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004

What Is A Food Intolerances?

Food intolerance is the inability to properly digest or fully process certain foods. This does not involve an immune response, but is still an adverse food-induced reaction that can cause uncomfortable symptoms similar to a food allergy. For example, lactose intolerance is caused when a person lacks an enzyme called lactase that breaks down the milk sugar called lactose. This can cause gas, bloating and abdominal pain when consuming milk products. Fortunately, lactase tablets are available without a prescription to help treat this food intolerance. 

Because the symptoms of food allergies and intolerances are often similar, it is helpful to get tested by an allergist and keep a food diary. A food diary keeps track of which foods are eaten and at what time, which can help determine if they are causing the symptoms of an intolerance or allergy. This will help the allergist to distinguish the correct diagnosis and treatment. Allergists can also conduct a skin test or blood test to determine if an individual is allergic to a specific food.

How did you determine if you or your child had a food allergy or food intolerance? Did you find allergy testing to be reliable, or was keeping a food diary more helpful?

- Reneé

As we near the end the month of May, our series on Hidden Food Allergens is wrapping up. Mallory and Nita wrote great entries with tips and ideas on how to best avoid hidden dairy, soy and gluten allergens in food.  Usually, there is a long list of items to avoid, so as Mallory mentioned, it’s helpful to print out your own list, laminate it, and take it with you on your grocery trips. It’s nearly impossible to memorize all those potential allergens you need to look out for on the product label. Having a list handy will cut back on the time you spend examining labels and make it easier for you to get what you need from the store and get on with your day!

Always remember, if you are uncertain whether a produce may contain an allergen, call the manufacturers and ask! The more educated you can be, the better.

Belonging to a food allergy social group or network can also allow you to share experiences and learn from other families who are in similar situations. Some groups you can join are the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), Facebook and/or Twitter groups dedicated to food allergies (including the Neocate Facebook page), Kids with Food Allergies (KWFA), and the Food Allergy Initiative (FAI).  For example, if you just found out (from the manufacturer) that a certain food, surprisingly, had some traces of a particular allergen, you could share that information with others and help prevent accidental exposure from happening to another family.

So keep those Hidden Food Allergens lists handy and keep an eye on those labels!

What other actions have you done to help avoid those hidden allergens? We always appreciate hearing your advice!

- Christine

We’re excited to introduce you to our newest product — Neocate Junior with Prebiotics. As many as 55 percent of children don’t get enough fiber and for those on a restricted diet, it can be even more difficult! For that reason, we have added prebiotic fiber to our Neocate Junior formula.

Why is prebiotic fiber important? Prebiotics promote digestive health by supporting healthy bacteria in the gut and inhibiting bad bacteria. Studies have shown that prebiotics can help decrease constipation, diarrhea, gas and vomiting.

If you want to learn more about how prebiotics work and the importance of fiber in your children’s diet, check out this blog entry.

We know that the diagnosis of a food allergy or GI condition can sometimes be overwhelming for families. Fortunately, there are many great support groups out there that can help you find your footing with resources, advice and stories from other families going through similar situations. Here are a few that we have found helpful.

Allergy Moms

Founded by Gina Clowes, AllergyMoms provides support for parents of children with food allergies. The Web site and monthly newsletter features articles, food allergy recipes and the latest news and research on breast-feeding, hypoallergenic formulas, eczema, reflux, anaphylaxis and school policy.

American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED)

APFED is an advocacy group for children and adults living with eosinophilic esophagitis, eosinophilic gastroenteritis, eosinophilic colitis, hypereosinophilic syndrome, and other eosinophilic disorders. It is a great resource and provides accurate, up-to-date information on eosinophilic disorders and related problems. Not only does the organization increase awareness and educate patients and physicians, APFED also works to increase funding for research.

Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN)

FAAN was established in 1991 to share information vital to raising a child with food allergies. Throughout the year the group holds events to raise awareness about food allergies, including Food Allergy Walks in cities across the country. The FAAN Web site features an extensive database of allergy-friendly recipes, as well as links to other resources like local support groups and allergy camps.

Kids with Food Allergies (KFA)

Started by Lynda Mitchell, KFA is a nationwide nonprofit organization that offers online food allergy support groups, information, news, and allergen-free recipes for families raising children with food allergies. They have a new guide called KFA’s Starter Guide to Parenting a Child with a Food Allergy that is especially helpful when you are first trying to understand food allergies, diagnosis and treatment. You can also subscribe to their bi-weekly newsletter for the latest updates!

Reflux Rebels

Reflux Rebels was started by a group of mothers who all had children with reflux and food allergies. Their goal is to share the knowledge they have learned from their own experiences and provide advice to families going through something similar. The Web site features some helpful quizzes that can help you get an idea of what your baby’s symptoms mean and what treatment options are out there. They also run an active message board on BabyCenter for those of you looking to ask a question or just chat with other parents navigating reflux and food allergies.

We hope you find these groups helpful! There are also a number of local support and advocacy groups out there that are ready to lend a hand too. What groups have been good resources for you?

-Sarah

Summer camp is an invaluable childhood experience full of fun, learning and personal growth. However, for parents with children who have severe food allergies, sending your child away to camp can be very scary. How can you be sure there are safe food options? And what if there is an allergic reaction? Will the camp know what to do? These fears are legitimate but it doesn’t mean your child has to miss out on all the fun. Hopefully, this entry will offer some guidance on how to ensure a safe and enjoyable camp experience for your child with food allergies.

Childhood food allergy is an increasing phenomenon and awareness is starting to catch up. A few camps cater specifically to children with food allergies.

• One option is Camp Emerson (“the Food Allergy Specialist”), in the Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts. On the Web site, Camp Director Sue Lein writes, “The Food Allergy Camp Team meets individually with your family to respond to your child’s needs. Our goal is to ensure that your child is able to eat safely and enjoyably at Camp Emerson. We want your child to feel like ‘everyone else’ in the dining hall.”

• Another such camp is The Center for Courageous Kids. This camp, located in Scottsville, Kentucky, has different themes throughout the summer and fall, each catering to a specific childhood medical condition. This year, there is a retreat weekend dedicated to children with severe food allergies scheduled for September 17-19.  A unique feature of this program is that the whole family attends.

• The YWCA Outdoor Education Center in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada) offers a program for kids with food allergies during session 4 of camp (July 26-30). On the Web site, the camp writes, “In partnership with Alberta Allergy Information Association, we are pleased to host a camp for children with severe food allergies. This camp, to be held during Session 4, will enable children with severe and life threatening food allergies to enjoy camp life in a safe environment.”

Next summer there will be many more options for campers with food allergies! Camp T.A.G.: A Safe Place for Food-Allergic Children and Their Siblings will open in various locations for the summer of 2011. The 11 cities chosen for the summer 2011 launch are: Joliet, Ill., Oak Brook, Ill., Minneapolis, Minn.., Houston, Texas, San Francisco, Calif., Raleigh, N.C., Philadelphia, Pa., Fairfax, Va., Silver Spring, Md., Long Island, N.Y., and North New Jersey/New York City.

Not everyone can attend a special food allergy camp so another option is to work with local camps to accommodate your child’s food allergies. The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network has created “Guidelines for Managing Food Allergies at Camp” to help you through the process. The guidelines are divided into responsibilities of the parents, the camp and the campers and lists proper preparations and procedures to protect children with food allergies during camp.

Be sure to sign up soon! Camp application deadlines are fast approaching and you want to provide ample time for any special accommodations. Know of any other food-allergy friendly camps? Make sure to post them here!

Happy trails!

-Mallory