Food Allergies Overcome by New Strategies
I’ve received several emails from the food allergy community and from caring friends and relatives about this article from USA Today.
I thought it was interesting how one father thought of his child’s food allergies as a “black cloud” that follows them everywhere they go. Kind of sad.
But most of emails I received conveyed excitment about the food allergy research. I’m very excited too but sometimes the general public (and by general public I mean my relatives) read this and think that the cure is just around the corner. Or they don’t realize that these treatments are not available from the local allergist or the GNC.
You can read the USA Today article here.
o Oral immunotherapy. Under close supervision by health care professionals, patients swallow tiny but gradually increasing amounts of the foods that trigger their allergies, with the idea of building immunity. This method is being tested for peanut, egg and milk allergies.
o Sublingual therapy. Drops containing proteins that trigger allergies are put under the tongue, where they are absorbed into the bloodstream. This method is being tested for various food allergies.
o Food allergy herbal formula-2. Known as FAHF-2, this pill (not available in stores) is based on a 2,000-year-old Chinese remedy. It contains nine botanicals, including ginseng and oil made from cinnamon tree bark. It is being tested for peanut, tree nut, fish and shellfish allergies.
If you want more detail on food allergy research, go here.
April 25, 2009 @ 11:29 pm
I’m not one to blog, but this article got to me. My own husband read it like it was going to happen tomorrow so I get your point Gina about the relatives. I had a relative at a family gathering not too long ago say, “can’t you just give him a little at a time until he gets used to it”. For those who don’t live with food allergies, this type of article only makes it worse for us. I’m excited about the prospect of cure alsom but this article crosses a line of irresponsible reporting for me and it’s exhausting to explain to those who are not fully enlightened on the topic!!. There, I said it! Thanks!
April 26, 2009 @ 5:45 pm
Amen to that! “Frustrated” I completely agree with you. My child is not a possible candidate for any of the testing they are referring to in the article-because he is just to plain allergic. And it has been a challenge to attempt to explain it to “well” meaning people.
At the same time I am hopeful something will come along our way one day soon, and one day we to can enjoy those luxuries like many take advantage daily and have a meal out and not stress the entire visit, or plan a road trip and not always planning the possible next meal.
Thank You to “Allergy Moms” for keeping us up to date on new information.
April 27, 2009 @ 9:41 pm
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April 28, 2009 @ 5:07 pm
I am only frustrated that I do not live close enough to participate in any of these studies. I want them to hurry and get more studies done so this treatment can be obtained locally. I cannot afford to go to John’s Hopkins, Duke or Little Rock every other week for a year.
Kim, how do you know that your child is not a possible candidate? I know how you feel, but you cannot give up hope. Don’t give up!!!