Tag Archives: food allergies

Iowa Court Says Disabilities Act Covers Severe Allergies

An Iowa Court of Appeals ruled that children and adults who have severe allergies are protected from discrimination by the federal Americans With Disabilities Act. Those who have epilepsy are also protected by it. This decision is different than a previous one by an Iowa district court. In 2011, Shannon Knudsen sued Tiger Tots Community Child Care Center in Madrid, Iowa. The reason for the lawsuit was because the Child Care facility declined to accept her child specifically because the child had a tree nut allergy. The case was heard by an Iowa district court. The court ruled that the … Continue reading →

When Your Baby Has Food Allergies

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Recently, I decided to get my baby tested for food allergies. With the history that my two boys have had, I just wanted to make sure that there were no lingering issues as we moved forward with food trialing. I had been suspicious that eggs were causing a problem with my little one when I was breastfeeding. It was one of the foods I had cut out of my diet when he was having all of his tummy issues. But, none of my children have ever been diagnosed with your typical IgE food allergies. IgE stands for Immunoglobulin E which is … Continue reading →

Study Connects Allergies to Bullying

Two recently published studies connect bullying to things that parents might not immediately think would make a child a target for a bully. The studies found that kids with food allergies, and kids who are overweight, are especially likely to get bullied. You might want to talk with your kids to see if this is something they are experiencing at school. Much has been said of the negative impact that bullies have on the peers that they target. It happens at school, on the playground, and across the internet. Sadly, there have been several stories in the news about teens … Continue reading →

Watch Out for Christmas Related Allergens

Parents of children who have severe allergies are always on the lookout for the things that can make their child have an allergic reaction. The Christmas season brings us all some allergens that we don’t have to worry about at other times of the year. Here’s a few things to watch out for and avoid. Live Christmas trees The American Christmas Tree Association has this to say about live Christmas trees: “…live Christmas trees are known to often carry microscopic mold spores that can trigger allergy symptoms including sneezing, watery eyes, and an itchy nose.” They point out a study … Continue reading →

Flying with a Child with a Peanut Allergy

During each of our flights on our last vacation, Southwest Airlines provided us with complimentary snacks. It was a welcome surprise, as flying with a baby left me with a hefty appetite. I tore into the small bags of peanuts, cheese crackers, and pretzels. As I carelessly wiped my salty hands on my pants and seat, I thought of my nephew. My nephew is one of the unfortunate millions of children with a severe peanut allergy. When my brother and family come to visit, we remove any food that may have come into contact with peanuts. My nephew goes nowhere … Continue reading →

Healthy Halloween: Food Allergies

Halloween can be full of tricks (rather than treats) if you’re living with a food allergy. If the allergy is new, what once was a safe favorite may now be off-limits. That can be really discouraging! Here are some tips to help keep a food allergy from ruining your holiday. Know your triggers. If you’ve got a food allergy, you’re probably used to checking ingredients labels. Make sure you learn the different names your allergy trigger may appear under, so you don’t end up sick from something you thought was safe! Do your research. Know beforehand what’s safe and what … Continue reading →

Treats for Pets with Dietary Restrictions

When it comes to food, my two dogs are very different. Lally is the sort of dog who will only eat when she’s hungry; I could leave a bowl of food out all day and she’d regulate herself. Moose is a chow hound; he’ll eat until there’s nothing left and then eat some more. I can’t leave food out for him, because he’d never stop eating! It’s very hard to manage Moose’s weight when he never turns down food. The vet suggested that we avoid chewy snacks — they generally have a higher fat content than crunchy, dry snacks have. … Continue reading →

Does Your Child Have a Milk Allergy? How to Tell

Many children are allergic to milk these days, and many of them go undiagnosed. Milk allergies can cause hives, skin rashes, and in some rare cases more serious reactions such as breathing difficulties. So how can you tell if your child has a milk allergy? Keep reading for important information. Allergy versus intolerance First let us talk about the difference between a milk allergy and a milk intolerance. For all of my children, when they were weaned from breast feeding and put on whole milk, they showed the symptoms of gas and loose stools or diarrhea. I assumed (incorrectly) that … Continue reading →

Watch Out for Food Allergies at Summer Fairs

My friend who has celiac disease will be joining me at a craft fair this weekend — and I’m concerned that he may have a hard time finding something safe to eat. Fairs, picnics, ball games, barbeques, and other summer gatherings can be a tough place for people with food allergies. It may not be possible to get an ingredients list from a fair vendor. Often, the food may be prepared off-site by someone other than the folks working the stand. If you’re especially sensitive, there may be issues of cross-contamination — a “safe” item may become unsafe if cooked … Continue reading →

New Advice For Children’s Allergies

Worrying about your children developing allergies? You aren’t alone. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently took a new look at pregnancy, breast-feeding, and allergies. Old wisdom — from 2000 or so — suggested that mothers who had a family history of food allergies (like milk, fish, peanuts, and tree nuts) should avoid eating those foods while breast-feeding. The American Academy of Pediatrics also had a recommended schedule for introducing children to so-called “risky” foods. The suggestions were making some parents feel like they were to blame for their children’s allergies, food allergies, and asthma. But you don’t have to feel … Continue reading →