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...
In December 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized two COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use from Pfizer-BioNTech (for ages 16 and older) and Moderna vaccine (for ages 18 and older). This is great news in the fight to end the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released guidelines on who should or should not receive the vaccine. Click here for larger view The chance of having an allergic or adverse reaction to a vaccine is...
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 reopen for the 2020-2021 school year. To help reduce the spread of the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 among staff and students, schools will follow new policies and practices. This causes many parents to wonder how this...
Cleaning your hands often is one of the easiest and best ways to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 . It can also help reduce the spread of the flu, colds and other respiratory infections . It can also help you prevent foodborne illnesses while cooking, such as salmonella. Handwashing can also reduce the chance of food allergy reactions from cross-contact on surfaces. The average person touches their face about 23 times an hour. 1 Your hands come in contact with...
Update – July 16, 2020: The FDA's temporary labeling guidance will remain in effect for the length of the public health emergency (PHE) due to the spread of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). A PHE is determined and declared by the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The PHE remains in place during the emergency or 90 days, but may be extended by the secretary. Though the current PHE is set to expire on July 25, 2020, HHS Secretary Azar has said he will extend the...
Update: We are pleased to announce that on June 18, 2020, the FDA responded to our joint letter on their temporary labeling guidelines. They released a list of FAQs to help clear up confusion. The FDA is making it clear that: Any substitution that involves a top 8 allergen recognized by law and those identified as “priority allergens” by other countries including sesame, celery, lupin, buckwheat, molluscan shellfish and mustard must require a label change by manufacturers and vendors The...
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and MedicAlert have teamed up to help you manage your child’s food allergies and prevent severe allergic reactions. (Kids With Food Allergies is a division of AAFA). We’re asking you to “ACT” to manage your child’s allergies: “A” means have an action plan for anaphylaxis. “C” reminds you to carry important medicines and have your child wear a medical ID to alert others of their condition. “T” calls for having a treatment plan that includes...
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and MedicAlert have teamed up to help you manage your child’s food allergies and prevent severe allergic reactions. (Kids With Food Allergies is a division of AAFA). We’re asking you to “ACT” to manage your child’s allergies: “A” means have an action plan for anaphylaxis. “C” reminds you to carry important medicines and have your child wear a medical ID to alert others of their condition. “T” calls for having a treatment plan that includes...