Food Allergy Awareness Week. Were you aware that...

• Food allergies affect as many as 15 million Americans

• Nearly 6 million or 8% of children are affected

• 1 in every 13 children, or roughly 2 in every classroom may have a food allergy

• 25% of allergic reactions occur in schools involve children not known to have an allergy before

• Food allergy results in more than 300,000 pediatric ambulatory care visits a year

• Every 3 minutes, a food allergic reaction sends someone in the U.S. to the emergency room

• 8 foods cause 90% of all food allergy reactions in the U.S.: milk, eggs, soy, wheat, peanut, tree nuts, fish, shellfish

• Strict avoidance is the only way to prevent an allergic reaction

• Read food/ingredient labels

• Wear a Medical ID bracelet

• Symptoms of a food-allergic reaction can include hives, swelling (face, mouth, throat), itching, cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, shock and death

• 90% of all fatal food allergic reactions are from peanut and nuts—Don’t take this allergy lightly!

• The treatment for anaphylaxis is Epinephrine and not an antihistamine like Benadryl

• Have 2 self-injectable epinephrine devices available at all times

• Have an Anaphylaxis Action Plan

Like and Share to raise awareness of food allergies as a serious and growing public health issue and educate schools, restaurants and our community about the severity of food allergies and anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction. Awareness precedes enlightenment!