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Community Corner

Food Allergy Conference Comes to Tarrytown

Avoidance still the best bet for allergy sufferers in the modern age.

On Saturday May 8th at the Westchester Marriot, the Food Allergy and Anaphylactic Network held its 17th annual conference.  

For almost two decades, the group's mission has been to raise awareness, engender advocacy and promote research, said FAAN's Dr. Julie Bradsher. But despite advances, FAAN adheres to a foundation in which it's acknowledged that avoidance still represents the best defense against a food allergy.

"Education is key until there is a cure," she said. And since Saturday's presentations did not point towards permanent medical solutions, staying ahead of the information curve is the primary science that must do for now.

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That leaves the untreated outcome of anaphylaxis at the forefront of every parent's worst fears –  "A serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death," according to FAAN's definition of the ailment.

In this case, a peanut, egg or fish allergy closes the airways or fatally compromises circulation. Fortunately, the introduction of adrenalin by an Epi-Pen reverses the situation and returns the effected systems to normal.

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Scientifically, it's simple enough but living the actual experience is far from elementary, according to Rebecca Day of New Jersey.  Seeing her son's airways close and then having to administer the shot, she said, "it was traumatic and dramatic for both of us."

Afterwards, for any severe reaction, the trip to the emergency room should not be followed up with a quick exit because the condition can reoccur. Stay in the hospital for four hours – even if they make you leave for the lobby, said Dr. Scott Sicherer of Mt. Sinai in his presentation, Food Allergy 101.

Descending from worst case scenarios to mild reactions and symptoms that mimic the introduction of an allergen, Dr. Sicherer discussed properly identifying the physical clues presented.

"The history is the most important factor," said Dr. Sicherer, who does clinical researcher with the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute.

So if a typical sandwich suddenly causes hives or an itchy mouth then something atypical has entered as an ingredient. Once pinpointed, even the testing phase for something like sesame or peanuts still presents a challenge. Blood tests can have false positives and negatives and oral food challenges in the hospital may fall prey to the same if placebos and double blind options are not used.

That implies psychological factors must be taken into account when, for instance, a person allergic to shell fish has trouble breathing after wandering into a fish market. "They could be having a panic attack," he says.

Staying with the mindset, this year's conference enlisted the expertise of a psychiatrist to discuss the emotional aspect of having a food allergy. One parent expressed concern on hindering her daughter's development due to the fact that she had never eaten in a restaurant.

Agreeing, Dr. Brett Greenberger, who's daughter Lilly also suffers from a food allergy, recommended taking it in stages. Bring some of your own food for your child the first time, then call ahead the next time to make sure the part of the meal they eat is peanut free and so on, he said.

As for other areas, children are progressing with other new firsts.  The first play date, the first party and the first sleep over are part of any child's development and need to proceed despite the extra precautions that are necessary, Dr. Greenberger said.

Entering the teenage years, risk taking becomes part of the emotional equation, as it does for teens of any stripe. From leaving the Epi-Pen at home for the school dance or downing a cupcake of unknown origin, teens would prefer that schools help ease their anxieties over appearing different.  

"If other students better understood food allergies, there would probably be less risk taking," said Dr. Sicherer.

A view from the schools came from Katherine Murray, school nurse in Holtsville, New York. She said parents and doctors can get so caught up in the physical side that they sometimes overlook the emotional distresses of having an allergy.

Nonetheless, parents have their own distresses and Allison Inserro, who is part of the Allergy and Asthma Support Group of Central New Jersey, understands  that coping is an ongoing adventure. For instance, simple food shopping is overwhelming, she says, as you try to decipher labels, while taking into account the needs of your children in tow – with and without allergies.

Otherwise, the support of others provides the help needed to instill appropriate levels of caution in your children. Ultimately, though, her son's allergy has made him a healthy eater and produced a silver lining that outshines his difficulties.  

"It's made him very sensitive to the needs of others," she said. 

With vigilance and ongoing communication, the conference showed that end results can be similar until a cure is available

For more info : www.foodallergy.com or http://www.protectallergickids.com/

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