May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month and Food Allergy Awareness Week begins on Sunday, May 13. Parents of kids with food allergies are keenly aware of food allergies every day! All through the month of May, we will focus on educating others about the challenges of managing food allergies and why we ask for the accommodations we do.

We hope you will join us in our efforts to raise awareness about the rise in food allergies. One in every 13 children in the United States has a food allergy.

Change Your Profile Picture

Change your profile image to one of our awareness ribbons or add a Facebook Frame or Twibbon to show you support food allergy awareness.

• Download and use one of our Awareness Ribbons
• Add a Facebook Frame to your existing profile pic or find it in "camera effects"
• Add a Twibbon to your Twitter profile image

Ready-to-Tweet Food Allergy Facts

Here are some quick awareness messages and food allergy facts you can Tweet to spread awareness for #FoodAllergyAwarenessWeek:

1. A food allergy is when the body's immune system sees a certain food as harmful and reacts against it. Symptoms can be life-threatening. https://ctt.ec/zTa9b+ #FoodAllergyAwarenessWeek via @kfatweets Tweet This
   
   
2. Food allergies among children increased ~50% between 1997 and 2011 and now affect 6 million or #1in13 US children. https://ctt.ec/9204f+ via @kfatweets Tweet This
   
   
3. Antihistamines will not reverse anaphylaxis. The first line of treatment for severe allergic reaction is epinephrine. https://ctt.ec/JxecU+ via @kfatweets Tweet This
   
   
4. There is no cure for food allergies yet. Researchers are studying possible cures that have promising results. https://ctt.ec/LVhXJ+ #FoodAllergyAwarenessWeek via @kfatweets Tweet This
   
   
5. Food allergies are on the rise and now affect #1in13 US children. That's nearly 6 million children (under 18 years of age) or roughly two in every classroom. https://ctt.ec/9204f+ via @kfatweets #FoodAllergyAwarenessWeek Tweet This
   
   
6. Read food labels every time you buy a product, even if you've used that product before. Ingredients can and do change: https://ctt.ec/txp6h+ #FoodAllergyAwarenessWeek via @kfatweets Tweet This
   
   
7. The FDA requires the top 8 allergens - milk, egg, peanut, tree nut, soy, wheat, crustacean shellfish and fish - in the US to be declared by common name on food labels. https://ctt.ec/2ju6h via @kfatweets Tweet This
   
   
8. Hand sanitizers do not remove food proteins. Use soap and water or wipes to clean hands and surfaces. https://ctt.ec/Hbl2E+ #FoodAllergyAwarenessWeek #1in13 via @kfatweets Tweet This