Humidity and Indoor Allergies

Check out this info from the AAAAI on indoor allergies and humidifiers! http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/humidifiers-and-indoor-allergies.aspx

Allergy-free Tips for the Holidays

Check out these great tips from the ACAAI for how to make sure allergies don't ruin your holidays! http://www.acaai.org/allergist/news/New/Pages/six-tips-for-holidays.aspx

Allergen-Free Holiday Recipe's

Check out this link from the AAAAI for allergen free holiday recipe ideas! https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/allergies/food-allergies/food-allergy-free-recipes/food-allergy-free-holiday-recipes.aspx

Allergen-free Thanksgiving Stuffing Ideas

Here are some great allergen-free Thanksgiving stuffing ideas from kidswithfoodallergies.org! stuffinghttp://community.kidswithfoodallergies.org/blog/top-8-allergy-free-stuffing-recipes-Thanksgiving

Halloween Haunts Parents of Students with Life-Threatening Food Allergies

As ghosts and goblins race through neighborhoods chanting, "Trick or Treat", parents of children with life-threatening food allergies, called anaphylaxis, feel shivers of fright and real terror according to Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA), the leading patient education, advocacy and outreach organization. For good reason. They've seen that one bite of the wrong treat can turn a fun-filled evening into a nightmare at the hospital.

 

Even so, AANMA president and founder Nancy Sander says it is possible for parents and their food allergic children to be smart and have fun on the wackiest dress-up night of the year. "It's a great time for parents to remind children what their food allergens look like and not to eat any unapproved candy or treats until they get home—as well as to reinforce the need to keep two epinephrine auto-injectors everywhere, every day even if that means tucking them in your costume or goodie bag (or asking Mom and Dad to carry them)."

Anaphylaxis Community Expert (ACE) Teams nationwide are helping young people develop independent thinking skills necessary to prevent and respond to food allergy accidents. Volunteer teams are formed by local allergists, school nurses, registered nurses, PAs, and parents through a program developed by AANMA and the American College of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. This school year, ACE Teams have trained daycare providers, EMTs, school faculty and staff--as well as at-risk students and patients--how to identify and respond to an anaphylactic emergency.

"Fun begins by eliminating the fear of the unknown. We start with a qualified diagnosis, a written plan, parent and student education to prevent future episodes and training to know when and how to self-administer epinephrine auto-injectors." says Katie Marks, MD. "Our goal is to teach school children the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and when to ask for help."

This Halloween, ACE Teams are helping parents and students learn age-appropriate food allergy anaphylaxis prevention and emergency self-management skills.  At-risk students who complete free one-on-one or small group ACE training programs at schools, community and worship centers receive free Epi Everywhere! Every Day!^TM bag tags and stickers.  To learn more, please contact local ACE Team member Anna at anna@southbayallergy.com or 310-371-1388 ext 15.

About ACEs

The Anaphylaxis Community Experts (ACEs) program is developed by Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) and the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), sponsored by Mylan Specialty, LP. The ACEs program goal is to save lives through showing parents, teachers, school nurses, emergency responders, and others how to recognize and respond immediately to anaphylaxis symptoms.

http://aces.aanma.org 

Handling the Holidays

Do asthma and allergies threaten to be the Grinch in your holidays? The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) offers these tips to help keep your season merry:

• The holidays are filled with hustle and bustle, but stress can trigger an asthma attack. Shop early or late in the day to avoid crowds. If "quiet time" isn't a part of your normal routine, now is the time to start.

• Fires burning in the hearth bring warmth and ambiance to a holiday get-together. However, the smoke and ash can smother the spirit for some, provoking breathing difficulties or triggering an asthma attack. Request the Yule log remain unlit.


• Prepare for visits to homes with pets by taking your allergy and asthma medication before the visit. The medication may help reduce your reaction. You can also ask party hosts to keep Fido in a separate room.


• Food is central fixture in most holiday gatherings. Remember that homemade items don't come with ingredients lists. If you or your child has food allergies, be cautious, especially around homemade treats. Foods can become tainted through cross-contamination in the baker's kitchen or food storage containers - and even a trace amount can trigger a reaction.