"Everyone's Gone Nuts" -- A doctor responds to the Harper's Magazine article

As the parent of a child who is allergic to peanuts, I was appalled at Ms. Broussard's incredible stretches of logic and blatant misinformation that were included in her article and on NPR. To insinuate that FAAN, some physicians, and the companies that make injectable adrenaline have teamed up in order to exaggerate food allergies--so that they might justify their own existence and scare people--is reprehensible and sensationalistic journalism at its worst. 

 

I'm extremely grateful to read your comments here, saying pretty much the same things I've been on my blog, online, and in person.   Thank you for providing some additional studies and research so that someone who is trying to understand the challenges faced by food allergy sufferers and their families will be able to get a complete, accurate picture of current scientific knowledge and recommendations. 

Great rebuttal Sloane!  I'm glad to see someone with a medical degree actually respond to her "statements".  And that's really all they are.

Thank you for doing such a thorough job refuting the sensationalized claims made by Broussard.  After the last few days of misinformation, it was such a relief to read a calm and factual review of food allergies today.

Thank you for publishing the response from an educated and informed, experienced medical professional to Ms. Brousard's "Everybody's Gone Nuts" essay.  Unfortunately, Ms. B. represents a new breed of adult/parent/mother educated and entitled, but offering nothing other than public displays such as her essay that serves no one other than herself and her ego.  I am very disappointed when I see education wasted, entitlement misused, and an ego so large that it gets in the way of what Ms. Brousard should be doing, and that includes growing up past the stage of self centered and bullying. By the way, Ms. B., you should know that the legume peanut are not a nut, it is a legume, not a tree nut; therefore, perhaps your essay should be titled, "Everybody's Gone Peanuts."  Either way....it is pure bullying and very destructive. Shame on you.

thank you ladies for writing in! i'm so glad you found the information helpful...

 

...to both Ms. Miller and Dr. Pistiner for bringing a well thought out and delivered response to dangerous misinformation. The tone and direction of the discussion regarding children's food allergies has an impact on the physical safety of children like mine.  Thanks for helping me keep him safe.

This was a very important posting. In my practice (Allergy-Chicago) I have some patients and parents that take their peanut allergy much too lightly. On the other hand, I have had parents ready to create a whole new wing for their child at school. Your discussion combined with expert opinion and research data was very helpful in clarifying the seriousness of this hypersensitivity that continues to result in over 150 deaths each year in this country. While casually kissing someone may pose a risk to a highly sensitive peanut allergic person (if the person they kiss has recently eaten peanut) the greater risk is not being aware of early warning signs, of the importance of acquaintances being informed and oriented to emergency measures, and of the importance of having epinenephrine available.

 

Many deaths could be avoided by such awareness and being prepared. Friends as well as family members and caregivers should be informed about peanut/tree nut allergy (or other food allergies) in order to reduce accidental exposure. They may as well be able to assist in giving a life saving injection of epinephrine (or timely call to 911). Of course it helps for them (friends and relatives) to understand the seriousness of the problem and importance of timely intervention. A Medic-Alert bracelet may further aid  an emergency situation.

 

Your posting highlights the importance of correct information.

Kudos to you and your contributors.

 

Jas. Thompson, MD

My name is Susan,

 

I am an Allergy suffer and I carry 3 epi-pens at all times. I really enjoyed reading the article . I have a website on a Patent produc tthat I am trying to bring to the market to help in a adverse reaction when dining out. It would be nice to have someone to converse with and have updates on medical and differnet discussion on all allergies.

My website is www.allergy-aware.ca. It would be nice if someone e-mailed there thoughts on what I am doing.

 

 

Thank you,

 

Susan Cameron