Allergy Expert Gina Clowes shares Allergy management news and commentary at MyAllergyNetwork.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/48542 http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/48542/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/48542 http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/48542/90701/allergy-halloween Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:37:00 -0400 Gina Clowes Fill ‘er Up! Feed your kids dinner before trick or treating so they're not tempted to sneak a treat on the road.  If need be, have a few food allergy-safe pieces of candy or sugarless gum for them to munch along the way. Be Prepared.  Even in your own neighborhood, you'll want to make sure you have wet wipes for sticky hands, a flash light, cell phone and, of course, your child's epinephrine auto injectors (Epi-Pen or... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/48542/90701/allergy-halloween http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/48542/86922/immunotherapy Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:20:00 -0400 Gina Clowes With all of the talk about peanut immunotherapy these days, you'd think that the cure for these life-threatening allergies was right around the corner. While there is no quick fix, immunotherapy in one of the various forms may well be a viable option for treatment of food and environmental allergies.   As my son has acquired more allergies over the years, even with "total avoidance," I've been looking into immunotherapy recently. ... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/48542/86922/immunotherapy http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/48542/83444/taking-allergies Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:51:00 -0400 Gina Clowes If you haven't done so already, you still have some time to discuss your child's food allergies with your teachers and school administrators with the goal to develop a plan to keep your child safe and included at school. With the last days of summer winding down, you'll want to request a meeting right away. The steps below will give you a general overview and help you prepare for your discussion.   Plan Ahead.  It will be helpful if... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/48542/83444/taking-allergies http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/48542/77587/managing-allergies Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:18:00 -0400 Gina Clowes I was relaxed and smiling on July 5th as I wrote this article.   I planned a small gathering at my home with two other families affected by food allergies. I met both of these moms years ago at my local support group meetings. We've become close friends as we share the trials and tribulations of raising a child with food allergies.   Early on, when we got together, our struggles with food allergies dominated the conversations.... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/48542/77587/managing-allergies http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/48542/75422/4-overprotecting Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:26:00 -0400 Gina Clowes Our job as parents is to protect our children, but our goal is to raise a responsible adult.  When a child has a serious health issue, it's natural that we hold on a little tighter and often for a little longer. When the stakes are very high, as they are with life threatening food allergies and asthma, we do not have the luxury of allowing our children to "learn a lesson" with the wrong food or missing medication.  Yet, if we continue... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/48542/75422/4-overprotecting http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/48542/72574/advocacy-committee Thu, 28 May 2009 09:34:00 -0400 Gina Clowes This month during Food Allergy Awareness Week, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., member of the Board of Directors of the Food Allergy Initiative (FAI), announced the formation of FAI’s new Advocacy Steering Committee. The committee’s objectives are to build a nationwide network of advocates to raise the profile of life threatening food allergies and to actively seek increased federal funding for food allergy research. Mr. Kennedy said that... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/48542/72574/advocacy-committee http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/48542/70838/children-allergies Wed, 13 May 2009 15:05:00 -0400 Gina Clowes Everyday allergy moms around the world balance their children's need for safety with their need for a "normal" life. For most of us, summer camp was part of that normal life, and while you might think of camp as "Mission Impossible" for your food allergic child, it really boils down to just a few steps. So here is my CAMP guide to help you prepare your child for the fun this summer.     C  Communicate with the Camp Director... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/48542/70838/children-allergies http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/48542/70066/helping-allergies Thu, 07 May 2009 11:29:00 -0400 Gina Clowes When your child is diagnosed with food allergies, you soon find food is everywhere! The lady at the bakery counter is handing your child a cookie, the bus driver is passing out candy treats, the coach is doling out snacks after soccer practice, and the list goes on. Teachers, baby sitters, and other caregivers need to know how to keep your child safe, but even your sister-in-law, your son's coach or your neighbor can put your child at risk if... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/48542/70066/helping-allergies http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/48542/67942/protecting-child Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:29:00 -0400 Gina Clowes You've gotten through skin testing or blood testing and nailed down the food culprits causing your child to react. You've worked through the kinks with neighbors and in-laws, and your hubby remembers the Epi-Pen (almost) every time, and just when you feel you might just have a handle on this allergy thing, you realize that it's time to plan for pre-school.     Many of you have already selected a school; others are still shopping for... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/48542/67942/protecting-child http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/48542/64257/peanut-debate Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:21:00 -0400 Gina Clowes "To ban or not to ban?" That is the question.   My answer is yes, and no. Watch me straddle the fence here a little.   Yes, peanuts and nuts should be banned from preschool, kindergarten and elementary school classrooms when there is a student with allergies in that classroom. For very young children, the classroom, the learning environment, should be free of all foods to which the child is allergic. This may sound extreme to some... http://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/48542/64257/peanut-debate