Best Allergy Sites is the web’s first and largest informational guide of environmental allergy, food allergy and intolerance web sites and blogs. Business owners, medical professionals, educators, and writers from all over the world are manufacturing products, doing research and publishing articles and stories to help individuals manage their allergies and intolerance. Best Allergy Sites is an attempt to gather all of those resources in one place. To know more click here: http://www.bestallergysites.com

1. Food Allergy Information
Guide Best Allergy Sites
“Best Allergy Sites is to bring allergy and
intolerance sufferers up to date information and
support”

2. Why Choose us?
` Best Allergy Sites is the web’s first and largest informational guide
of environmental allergy, food allergy and intolerance web sites
and blogs.
Business owners, medical professionals, educators, and writers
from all over the world are manufacturing products, doing research
and publishing articles and stories to help individuals manage their
allergies and intolerance. Best Allergy Sites is an attempt to gather
all of those resources in one place.
Our Mission
The mission behind Best Allergy Sites is to bring allergy and
intolerance sufferers up to date information and support. We serve
as a food allergy guide and allergy support community.
We encourage you to browse our site and see all that Best Allergy
Sites has to offer.

3. Allergy Basics
 Newly Diagnosed
 Allergy Information
 Food Allergy
 Peanut Allergy
 Tree Nut Allergy
 Soy Allergy
 Egg Allergy
 Wheat Allergy
 Dairy Allergy
 Fish Allergy

4. What is a Food Allergy?
A food allergy is defined as an immune
system response. If you have a food allergy,
your body’s immune system mistakenly
recognizes a food protein, or allergen, as an
invader and produces antibodies to fight it in
an attempt to "protect" the body. A chemical
called histamine is then released into the
bloodstream and acts on the eyes, nose,
throat, lungs, skin, or gastrointestinal tract
and causes symptoms of the allergic reaction.

5. Intolerance vs. Allergy
 Intolerance
 Reaction to the chemicals in food
 No immune system response
 No serious (life-threatening) side-
effects
 Bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort
 Public impression
 Parental interaction

6. Food Allergy Facts
What the experts say
 Doubling of food allergy over the past 10
years, particularly peanut allergy.
 Latest statistics show continual increase with
peanut allergy as the leading cause
 ~12 million Americans affected (4%)
 ~ ½ are peanut and/or tree nut
 ~3 million school aged children (~8%)
 Onset at any age
www.bestallergysites.com

7. Food Allergy Facts
What the experts say
 Food allergy is the leading cause of
serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
outside the hospital setting.
 over 30,000 ER visits per year
 ~ 175 deaths annually
 reactions caused most often outside the home
and by products believed to be safe
 Asthma increases risk of fatal reaction
 Adolescents and young adults are at the
highest risk

8. Food Allergy Facts
What the experts say
 Sensitivity to the allergen can vary
 For some, a speck of allergen can have the
same effect as eating a large quantity
 For some, skin contact with the allergen is
enough to cause a reaction
 For some, inhalation of the allergen can cause
discomfort
 Sensitivity is truly ‘unknown’
 Affected systems can vary between
individuals AND reactions

9. Food Allergy Facts
What the experts say
 Eight foods account for 90% of all
reactions

10. Peanut Allergy Specific
 1/250 of a peanut is enough to trigger a
reaction (cutting a peanut in half 125
times!)
 Severe allergies are typically life-long
 High cross-reactivity to tree nuts
(almonds, walnuts, etc.)

11. Peanut Allergy Specific
 Peanut allergies tend to cause the most severe
reactions
 Peanut or tree nut allergies and asthma appear to
increase the risk for fatal reactions
 A study (2001) of 32 cases of fatal food-allergy
induced anaphylaxis showed >90% had peanut and
tree nut allergies, most had asthma and emergency
medication (epinephrine) was not given or not given
soon enough.
 A more recent study (2007) also showed a large
majority of fatalities due to peanuts/tree nuts and
asthma.
 Estimated that at least ½ of deaths are result of
peanut/tree nut

12. Allergic Reactions - facts
 Severity of reaction can vary from mild to
serious and potentially fatal
 Previous reactions DO NOT indicate future
reactions
 An unpredictable physiological change occurs
after each exposure
 Within a couple minutes to 2 hours after
exposure (and in rare cases longer)
 Once reaction starts, progression can vary
 Not just a lunch-time event!
 Can be biphasic

13. Strict Avoidance
 No cure for food allergies
 Key is helping children avoid
allergens
 Good attitude
 Careful handling
 Cross-contamination
 Label reading
 Expecting the Unexpected

14. Avoiding Cross-Contamination

15. What to do
 Require thorough hand washing and teeth
brushing especially if you suspect a
student has eaten peanuts/nuts
 Clean eating and working areas carefully
 Discourage food sharing
 Have “safe” snacks and treats from family
 Do not allow homemade goodies or home
prepared foods (e.g. apples cut at home)

16. What NOT to give
 If label is ambiguous as to presence of
peanut
 If no label present
 Home baked items
 Ice cream
 Bakery Items
 Imported Foods

17. Expecting the Unexpected
 What might contain peanuts/tree
nuts?
 It’s NOT ONLY in the food!!!

18. Signs of an Allergic Reaction
 Hives
 Difficulty Breathing
 Vomiting
 Diarrhea
 Eczema Flare
 Lightheadedness
 Swelling

19. Emergency Action Plan
 Varies for individual child
 Action plan should be in place that
is SPECIFIC for each allergic child
 Know the plan
 Know where the medication is
located

20. THANK YOU
You can make a difference in the life of a food
allergic. Please be an advocate.
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