Deadly Food Allergies
DEADLY FOOD ALLERGIES: Ten-year-old Lauren took one bite of a cookie and wound up on a respirator. Six-year-old Junior couldn't resist his classmate's birthday cupcake, and it almost cost him his life. For parents of most kids, it's hard to believe that a morsel of forbidden fruit can bring a child to the brink of death. But these two kids and their families found out the hard way that the threat posed by food allergies is very real. Meet Lauren and Junior and hear their stories; join host Dr. Winnie King and a renowned food allergist to find out the things we need to know to save their lives.
Guests:
Scott H. Sicherer, MD - Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine Jaffe Food Allergy Institute
Junior White - 6 years old
Henry White - Junior's Father
Claudia White - Junior's Mother
Maureen Milas - Junior's Teacher
Lauren Bernstein - Teen with multiple food allergies
Tips:
Most Allergies Caused By:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Wheat
- Soy
- Peanuts and tree nuts
- Fish and shellfish
Allergic Reaction Symptoms:
- Itching, hives, facial swelling
- Vomiting, cramps, or diarrhea
- Trouble breathing; wheezing or coughing
- Incoherence, loss of consciousness
Tips for Parents:
- If you see any of these symptoms, test your child for allergies.
- If your child tests positive for allergies, learn how to keep your child safe.
- Teach those safety skills to your child.
- Have your child carry an EpiPen at all times.
- If your child reacts, use the EpiPen, call 911, and get to a hospital.
- Work with your child's school to create systems to keep him or her safe.
Resources:
Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network
1-800-929-4040
http://www.foodallergy.org/
