10 Things Children with Food Allergies Want You To Know

This is a great resource for anyone supporting, caring or parenting a child with food allergies.

http://www.slideboom.com/presentations/132950/10things-children-with-food-allergies-want-to-you-know

Newsletter Article Written For Allergy Week!

When my daughter was only nine months old the Royal Prince Alfred (RPA) Allergy Clinic advised us that she had food allergies. This basically meant if she came into skin contact or ate any of the foods she is allergic to, it could potentially trigger an anaphylactic reaction, which is a life threatening condition.

Much has changed during these six years; we have learnt to adapt our lifestyle to ensure that we keep her safe. Like many other parents of children with food allergies we work hard to ensure she leads a normal life.

New research into food allergy in Australia has alarmingly revealed that 1 in every 10 children is now food allergic. If you are not related to someone with food allergies or know of someone who has them, then it won’t be long before you do!

Living with allergies affects families and their communities in different ways dependent on the severity, the age of the child, cultural background and most importantly the information available by the medical profession.

Whilst she has grown up we have had many scares and thankfully have only had to use her Epipen (adrenaline auto-injector) on one occasion.

She has grown up with a high level of limitations placed on her around, behaviour, food choices, social interactions and freedom. She has to live with the constant “uncertainty” that should she touch or eat something she is allergic to, it could trigger an anaphylactic reaction.

For us as parents much of our time is spent educating family and friends, sourcing safe foods, checking labels, preparing food for outings and cooking the food she can eat.

Starting primary school was a huge milestone, for us as a whole family. With less supervision and a higher level of exposure to the foods she is allergic to, it places increased responsibility on her.

She does this conscientiously, whilst we as parents have to step back and let her take the lead. None of this would be possible without the continuos support and dedication of the school staff and friends.

She is a normal little six year old with the same interests as any other little girl her age. She has successfully managed to integrate her medical condition within her life, so that it creates few barriers. The barriers or potential additional risks she does encounter tend to be when others are not educated about food allergies and their potential impact.

We have learnt much on this journey and whilst food allergies become more common and people become more aware of the issues allergies create, our lives and that of other children become easier.