Raising Food Allergy Awareness

If you or your loved one don’t live with a food allergy, it can be difficult to appreciate how challenging life can become when faced with eating at restaurants, being in close proximity to others eating, and even grocery shopping. And while food allergies used to be relatively rare, today they are much more prevalent. In the United States, it’s estimated that 6% of adults and 8% of children have food allergies, which is about 1 in 16 adults, and 1 in 13 children.

So why ARE there more food allergies today than in previous decades?

While there doesn’t seem to be one definitive answer on this, researchers can point to a few likely reasons:

Lack of sun exposure

Or, more specifically, being low in vitamin D. Research shows that with increased time spent indoors interacting with technology, kids are spending less time outdoors, therefore getting less sun exposure. Scientists have confirmed evidence to show that there is a link between food allergies and low vitamin D levels.
Clean living

For once, “eating clean” has a negative consequence. Compared to previous generations, modern families tend to use hand sanitizer frequently, live siloed from other families, and not interact with animals. In other words, our immune systems are under-stimulated. So when our bodies come in contact with certain food proteins, they read them as a threat and launch an attack. This release of mediators presents as an allergic reaction.
Misguided advice

Several years ago, it was believed that parents should delay giving their child allergenic foods with the intent of avoiding food allergies. Unfortunately, this effort had the opposite effect, and areas that practiced this showed a large growth in children with food allergies. It is now believed that early introduction to allergenic foods such as milk, eggs, and peanuts can help prevent developments of allergies.

Whatever the reason for an increase in food allergies, it’s important to be mindful and sensitive to loved ones who live with them.

Here are a few tips for how to do just that:

Increase your own understanding

Whether your loved one is severely allergic versus intolerant will help define how careful you need to be with your own food and sanitation around this person. Ask him or her about their dietary limitations, how it affects them, and what you can do to ensure their safety and comfort.
Do other things together

You can focus on activities that don’t involve food, such as hiking, seeing movies, going to museums, or taking art classes. You could even have a BYOF (bring your own food) picnic to safely enjoy dining together.
Learn what to do in an allergy-related emergency

Talk frankly with your loved one and ask how you can help if they’re having an allergic reaction. They’ll feel more comfortable and confident knowing you’re invested in their safety and will know what to do if an emergency strikes.

At Fountain Hills Medical Center, our team can help determine, diagnose, and offer support for food-related allergies. And if you or your loved one is experiencing an allergic reaction, our emergency room is ready to provide immediate treatment.

Food allergies in Fountain Hills are on the rise, and our highly-rated medical team is here to help. We will answer your questions, offer resources for community support, and help you learn what to do in the event of an allergic reaction.

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