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Recognizing Severe Allergic Reactions in Infants and Toddlers Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening if not treated quickly and properly. But the signs and symptoms can be hard to recognize, especially in infants and toddlers. One of the biggest challenges is that this age group is nonverbal. Infants cannot talk about their symptoms, so parents and doctors may not notice or identify the signs of an allergic reaction. Research also suggests infants and toddlers...

Even though about 5.6 million children and 26 million adults have food allergies, many people still don’t understand what it’s like to live with them. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has declared May to be “ National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month .” All month long, we will be raising awareness to help dispel misinformation about asthma, allergies, and food allergies. (Kids With Food Allergies is the food allergy division of AAFA.) Food Allergy Awareness Week is also...

Update: The president has signed the FASTER ACT! On April 23, 2021, President Biden signed the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research Act of 2021, also called the FASTER Act (H.R.1202/S.578), into law. This bill expands the definition of major allergens to include sesame and requires analysis of food allergy research. Under the FASTER Act, food manufacturers have until Jan. 1, 2023, to update labels of products containing sesame. But you may see sesame appear on labels...

Updated for 2021, the Kids With Food Allergies’ Easter candy guide is filled with food allergy-friendly sweets. Even favorites such as chocolate bunnies and jelly beans are included. Please remember to read all labels and make sure the product is right for your family.

The manufacturers of epinephrine auto-injectors have extended their U.S. savings card programs through 2018. Epinephrine is the only treatment for a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis (anna-fih-LACK-sis). It is only available through a prescription by your doctor. Each prescription comes with two auto-injectors in a set. People with food allergies need two of these auto-injectors with them at all times.

Many children with food allergies have other allergic diseases – like asthma, eczema, and nasal allergies (allergic rhinitis) . If your child sniffles and sneezes more with the changing seasons, pollen allergies could be the cause. Allergic sensitivity to airborne pollen from trees, grasses, or weeds can cause allergy symptoms. The reason many children have related allergic conditions is because of the "allergic march" or “atopic march . ” It often starts with dry skin, which may lead to...

New law will protect students with allergies and asthma!

Updates: It's official! On Jan. 5, 2021, the president signed the School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act into law. Thank you to our community. Your efforts helped to get this bill signed into law, which will help thousands of students with asthma and allergies and their families nationwide. AAFA Celebrates Major Advocacy Win! Congress Passes School-Based Allergies and Asthma Management Program Act, H.R. 2468 Law gives greater protections and resources to students with...

"Recent media reports of reactions to the new Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, first out of the U.K. and now one report in the United States are stirring safety concerns for people with a history of serious allergies. It’s important to remember that we still don’t have the full details regarding the specifics of any of these reported reactions. Allergists, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are all keeping an eye on these...

Halloween will look different this year with changes to classroom parties, festivals and trick-or-treating due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). But while you celebrate on a smaller scale or at home, you may still want to have allergy-friendly Halloween candy on hand. If you are looking for allergy-friendly treats, here are some top 8 free Halloween candy ideas. These candies are free of peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, egg, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish.

You have daily food allergy management down pat.   Two epinephrine auto-injectors go everywhere. The allergist is on speed dial. You know the best local stores and restaurants for safe foods. You've trained babysitters and the staff at school....

Update – Aug. 21, 2020 Sixteen leading food allergy experts, including some of our medical advisors , released school guidelines addressing food allergies in light of COVID-19. We have added those recommendations to this blog post. Schools face major challenges as they try to reduce the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 among staff and students. Schools will follow certain policies and practices to help reduce the spread. This causes many parents to wonder how this will affect...