Gina,
Thank you for your thoughtful, educational article. It really articulates the concerns well.
My daughter has life threatening allergies and food in the classroom makes me so nervous for all 10 of the reasons you listed.
I hope your article will help others understand why food in the classroom is such a large concern.
Stef
Gina,
Very well said. Too many take food allergies lightly and are uneducated about them. Being a Mom of a child who has severe dairy allergies, we have gone through anaphalaxis more than once and sometimes just from the touch. To be pro-active in keeping out the "unsafe" foods in her classroom, I have volunteered to do the baking for the classroom parties. This allows my child, the only one with food allergies, to be safe and be included in the party. It means so much to these children to be part of what's going on and it's wonderful when you can make that happen!
Thank you!
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My son was just diagnosed with a pretty substantial yeast allergy. His lungs have collapsed 5 times in 5 months, so I finally asked for a food panel to see if he's allergic to anything other than the environmental things like mold, etc. He's more allergic to yeast than he is to anything else by at least twice the amount. I asked the asthma/allergy specialist what to do about it and he said "nothing, just ignore it". I'm not comfortable with that response, especially if it is causing his asthma to be out of control. Does anyone else have any suggestions or ideas for me? Carter is 7 years old and has had asthma since he was born, but this year has been the worst ever.
Personally I would NEVER be ok with just ignore it! I don't have a food allergy child but my best friend does and I am always as careful as I can be. I don't feed her anything unless I have read the label and so has mom! I don't want to take the chance! I won't even feed her the things that put the warning label when the mom is not here with her, even though they are things she has tried before and they have been ok. For one it might take too long with 4 kids to get them to the hosp. in time, even if I do see the first sign and catch the reaction in time. Not to mention the other problems that might occur. For an allergist to say something so obsurd just really bothers me. Take your child to another DR. and another and another, until you find the one that you feel you can totally trust! I am going to be changing my kids' ped. since he doesn't feel that are choice to go the all natural route will do anything for behavior or health. We don't vaccinate because my kids have reactions to the artificial things in the vaccines. They rarely get sick and usually its only a stuffy or runny nose if they do. I believe that is because we put the good vitamins and enzymes naturally occurring in foods in them all the time. He doesn't believe food has anything to do with being healthy. I realize everyone doesn't agree with me of course, but a DR. that I trust and take opinions from should be on the same page with me, (or at least in the same book)! Anyway, all that rambling ;-) get a DR. that believes something the same as you and go from there. Would you ask the opinion of a mom that parents in a way that you don't see as being correct? No! Not that it's not the way for them, it's not the way for you! Good luck! big hugs mama!
Take all yeast out of your home. Allergens can be hidden in non-food items as well such as shampoo, conditioner, makeup, lotions, playdough, pet food, anything really. Call and email companies everytime you pick up a product before letting your child have it and put your whole household on the same diet, including pets. My child has multiple anaphylactic allergies and they are so severe that she has severe reactions just from smelling a food she's allergic to, also from touching something where someone else might have touched w/ unclean hands or dropped a crumb, it doesn't take much. Keep your home allergy-free so your child has a safe haven to come home to. The world is full of potential "poisons" and it's nice to give them a place of safety. The motto that every allergic parent and child adopts is, "if you can't see Every ingredient and whether it comes from a dedicated plant, don't eat or touch it, call or email first." I know this may sound over the top for someone just coming into allergies, but the severity of it needs to be addressed as too many people take things lightly.