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Society's lack of food allergies impacts those afflicted with food allergies
October 01, 2008The level of knowledge and understanding of children with food allergies varies significantly across three key groups: pediatricians and family physicians, the general public and families who have a child with food allergies. The article describing the new findings was published in the September issue of BioMed Central Pediatrics.
The research group, led by Ruchi Gupta, MD MPH, assistant professor of pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Children's Memorial Research Center, found that misconceptions around food allergy are prevalent among the general public; parents have good knowledge but face many daily challenges; and that physicians differ in their approach to diagnosis and advice for children with food allergies.
The results show that parents of children with food allergies have solid knowledge but experience high levels of anxiety as they worry about their children eating the wrong foods. As one mother said "You are so fearful of anaphylaxis and death. It is this kind of unknowing, this uncertainty of what degree of reaction it's going to be." Parents felt food allergies impacted every aspect of their lives, including daily functioning, relationships, work and marriage. As one father put it, "My wife is much more into 100 percent prevention all the time and I am more into trying to maximize what my son can do." Many mothers felt their careers suffered or stopped due to the need to protect their child from harmful foods at all meal times.
Physicians had basic knowledge of food allergies and anaphylaxis but differed on their approach to diagnosis and the advice they offered families about breastfeeding and introduction of solids. The general public varied in its knowledge of the symptoms and triggers of food allergies. They also tended to overestimate food allergy prevalence and were inclined to over diagnose food allergies in themselves and in their children. As one person put it, "I really think every single person has an allergy they do not know about." As for quality of life -- one mother stated, "One of my daughter's friends is allergic to nuts, and I have to be very careful when we have her over for a play date."
This study helped develop a survey about knowledge, attitudes and beliefs for parents of children with food allergy, physicians and the general public. The surveys were validated and reviewed. This set of studies will help increase knowledge around food allergy in three very important groups to improve the health and lives of children and families with food allergy.
Children's Memorial Hospital
Physicians had basic knowledge of food allergies and anaphylaxis but differed on their approach to diagnosis and the advice they offered families about breastfeeding and introduction of solids. The general public varied in its knowledge of the symptoms and triggers of food allergies. They also tended to overestimate food allergy prevalence and were inclined to over diagnose food allergies in themselves and in their children. As one person put it, "I really think every single person has an allergy they do not know about." As for quality of life -- one mother stated, "One of my daughter's friends is allergic to nuts, and I have to be very careful when we have her over for a play date."
This study helped develop a survey about knowledge, attitudes and beliefs for parents of children with food allergy, physicians and the general public. The surveys were validated and reviewed. This set of studies will help increase knowledge around food allergy in three very important groups to improve the health and lives of children and families with food allergy.
Children's Memorial Hospital
Food Allergy Current Events and Food Allergy News RSSScientists developing food allergy treatment
A team of scientists from across Europe are embarking on new research to develop a treatment for food allergy.
Drinking milk to ease milk allergy?
Giving children with milk allergies increasingly higher doses of milk over time may ease, and even help them completely overcome, their allergic reactions, according to the results of a study led by the Johns Hopkins Children's Center and conducted jointly with Duke University.
Students with food allergies often not prepared
College students with food allergies aren't avoiding the foods they know they shouldn't eat. Students of all ages are not treated with potentially life-saving epinephrine as often as they should be. And instructors, roommates and friends often are not aware of what to do if a food-allergic student has a reaction.
Biotechnology vs. Sustainability: What Do Students Think?
College students in a Sustainable Agriculture course were surveyed before and after taking the class. Students' exposure to the ideas of sustainability, as well as biotechnology-related topics, provided them with a chance to state their views as they completed homework and exams and participated in discussions.
National Jewish Medical and Research Center Evaluating Treatment To Prevent Allergic Reactions to Food
Researchers at National Jewish Medical and Research Center are conducting trials to evaluate a method to prevent allergic reactions to food. They are feeding peanut- and egg-allergic people increasing doses of an investigational protein extract from the foods to see if they can induce the participants' immune systems to tolerate the food.
Research Finds Allergic Children Exposed to Peanuts at Younger and Younger Ages Despite Recommendations To Avoid Until Age 3
The age at which children are exposed to peanuts and have an allergic response has dropped significantly over the last decade, despite recommendations that at-risk families avoid exposing children to peanuts during the first three years of life.
Early Exposure to Indoor Fungus Molecules May Protect Infants Against Future Allergies
Environmental health scientists at the University of Cincinnati (UC) say they have confirmed what other scientists have only suspected: early-life exposure to certain indoor fungal components (molecules) can help build stronger immune systems, and may protect against future allergies.
Pilot Study Successful in Taming Allergic Reactions to Food
Children who were allergic to eggs were able to essentially overcome their allergy by gradually consuming increased quantities of eggs over time, researchers at Duke University Medical Center and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences have found in a small pilot study.
Friendly bacteria in alcoholic milkshake could fight food allergies
Feeding babies alcoholic milk may help to protect against some food allergies. Kefir, a traditional fermented drink, is consumed in Eastern Europe as a health food, and is often used to wean babies, as it is easily digested.
Inhaled steroids help young children breathe but do not prevent chronic asthma
Daily treatment with inhaled corticosteroids can reduce breathing problems in pre-school-aged children at high risk for asthma but they do not prevent the development of persistent asthma in these children.
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