I understand this handout was created to help people understand food allergies, but including statements like, "Children may be asked to not bring certain foods to school so other children with food allergies can participate in school activities with their classmates and not feel different or left out." makes it more difficult for parents of children with life threatening food allergies. The reason for not bringing certain foods to school is so children don't die , period. Diluting the...

Page 2 at the top answers the question, "can children die due to a food allergy reaction." inclusion on is an important concept to educate people on as well.

I have a child with multiple food allergies, with dairy being the most severe. He also has had asthma induced with "contact sensitive" reactions from accidentally touching an allergen on a surface and then touching a membrane (eyes, nose, lips). Many people do not realize the severity of "cross-contamination" and or "contact sensitive" individuals with food allergies. Putting my son in a room full of kids eating something that he can't is just as dangerous due to the "contact sensitivity". I...

Hi Cheryl, I'm really sorry you have had so many bad experiences and trust me, I understand. My son has food allergies - had multiple food allergies as a little kid, is still anaphylactic to his allergens. He had anaphylaxis at school in first grade. I get it, I really do. Did you see page 2 of this handout? It specifically asks the question, "Can kids die from food allergies?" and it's answered. the very last question on page 2 gives ways for people without food allergies to help children...

That handout is great - thank you!! The only thing I didn't like about it was the "clean" theory as my son's teacher is constantly telling me that this is the reason he has food allergies. annoys me to no end! I would have liked the article not to include any theories but besides that, I love it and plan to use it.

Originally Posted by ReeseCat: That handout is great - thank you!! The only thing I didn't like about it was the "clean" theory as my son's teacher is constantly telling me that this is the reason he has food allergies. annoys me to no end! I would have liked the article not to include any theories but besides that, I love it and plan to use it. Reese, I agree with that. I was considering giving it to my son's teacher and then got to that line and decided not to. However, Lynda, that's not...

Was that directed to me?? I actually didn't work on that particular handout, but yes a lot of work goes into resources like this. And it's always a difficult balancing act since dealing w/ food allergies is a wide spectrum. If you have concerns or suggestions, you can e-mail them directly to Lynda at the address she provided above. I'm sorry to hear it did not fit your particular needs and you decided not to give it to the teacher. Thank for your feedback though as it is always good to get a...

Kathy, I typed your name and hit post and then realized it should have been Lynda (you are both so helpful on here that I think I got you confused). I edited it back to say Lynda, but your name was was there for a few minutes . I'm sorry for making it confusing!

No worries! I figured it was bc I had posted a link on the forums to this blog post. I'm not sure why your posts keep tripping the spam filter though.

I'm really appreciative of the comments! We want this to be a helpful resource. I've gotten a few other comments already and will discuss with our medical advisory team about how to proceed.

ReeseCat Tell the teacher that the "clean theory" has NOT been proven as a cause for kids getting food allergies. It's just one theory and to my knowledge it has not been proven. I had a kindergarten teacher that told me, by state law they have to have the kids wash their hands prior to lunch or eating, but that afterwards was not a requirement, nor would they have the time to take that additional step for me. I pleaded my case due to the contact sensitivity and shared surfaces in a...

Lynda, I appreciate your response back. I am sorry if I sorta beat up on the hands trying to help us deal. I do agree that it is hard to have one hand out fit all, but it is always a help to have something. I think it is hard with food allergies as even kids with food allergies differ from the next kid as far as severity and their own personal limits as to what keeps them safe. It is hard to address all of us in one pamphlet. I do appreciate your support and the fact there is a pamphlet.

Okay, just read how I am taking up so much room on this comment forum. I hope I helped, not trying to be a problem, but also frustrated at times. I am done commenting and will just sit back now and learn from the rest of you. Thanks, in advance, for supporting me and my frustrations and mostly for letting me vent even if I don't do it the best way.

Cheryl - don't feel bad about taking up comment space! That's what it's for.....for everyone to be able to constructively voice their opinion to help and support others dealing w/ how to live w/ FA's. As you said, everyone's issues and restrictions are different, even kid to kid. There is no one size fits all and that makes it more difficult for those who need more stringent restrictions. I'm watching my dd, who is a cabin leader for band camp, deal w/ some vaguely defined food...

Kathy, Proud of your daughter. Glad she is confident in herself enough to do that as well. It's hard in the teenage years. My son is not as confident and worries more about fitting in yet in his young teen years and why I am more worried about him. They say it is those young teen years where they sometimes slip up with their safety as they let friends and fitting in, throw them off course sometimes with their safety. Yes, there is only so much to put into a 2 page hand-out. Agreed. The...

Oh, those middle school years are the hardest! My dd was steadily outgrowing her FA's before that, but then developed new ones during that time. I encourage you to post over on the School Age Kids forum - there are many who have been through it/are going through it and can bounce ideas or frustrations. It's hard!

Thanks, Kathy.

Cheryl, I know what you mean about wanting a handout to show people who doubt you that will get them to 'get it'. I wonder, what would you like to see in a handout that you haven't found here yet? I have a child who is contact ingestion sensitive and had reactions to this type of exposure ranging from very minor to severe. It has been difficult at times to get people to understand the risks of contact ingestion over the years and I collected things that talked about contact ingestion...