In recent years, many of you have taken part in various online surveys addressing issues important to the food allergy community.

For our newest online survey, we’ve partnered with Dr. Matt Greenhawt at the University of Michigan to better understand the relationship between food allergies and medications.

The survey is anonymous, has already been IRB approved, has 30 questions, and should only take a few minutes to complete.

We plan to share the results of this survey with the FDA, the federal body that regulates pharmaceutical products. We also plan to write an article on the survey results for a professional publication.

We invite you to take the survey by clicking on the following link:

Linda Coss, author of "How To Manage Your Child's Life-Threatening Food Allergies," "What's to Eat? The Milk-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free Food Allergy Cookbook," and "What Else is to Eat? The Dairy-, Egg-, and Nut-Free Food Allergy Cookbook" will be giving the keynote address. Her topic is "What You Need to Know about Food Allergy Management." In addition to discussing some of the "basics" of food allergy management, such as recognizing and treating an allergic reaction and avoiding the dangers of cross-contamination, she'll also discuss how parents can handle all of these day-to-day issues in such a way that their child grows up "well-adjusted" in spite of having potentially fatal food allergies.

Dr. Jennifer Kim, board certified allergist and researcher from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Food Allergy Research Institute, will provide a research update.

Free recipes for multiple food allergies including allergies to milk, wheat, egg, peanut, tree nuts, sesame, mustard and more.

The food allergy recipe database allows users to rate recipes and submit comments, as well as their own recipes!

This user-friendly section of the FAAN website categorizes recipes by course and is fully searchable by food allergen. Check it out today, and tell your friends and family!

This is a clever way to begin to train friends and family members on food allergy cooking and baking. It’s easily accessible and it’s FREE!

Try these:
Cinna-minis

Cinna-minis
Preheat oven to 375°. Lightly grease mini-muffin tins; set aside. In large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, 3/4 tsp. cinnamon,…
Full Recipe >

You can view the segment here on YouTube. Start at 1:56. (Thanks Terri!)

It appears that she made the comment innocently because she doesn’t even flinch after she says it. (Like those of us who know better.) But many are upset about the comment and are waiting for a response from her.

Sarah Schleider from the National Down Syndrome Society wrote a letter to Jennifer asking for her thoughts or comments.

Here’s what Ms. Schleider had to say:

When people with Down syndrome are inappropriately referenced, it sustains and perpetuates these
low expectations and negative stereotypes and further impedes the acceptance of people with
disabilities in schools, the workplace and the community. Negative and inaccurate public perceptions
are the greatest barriers the National Down Syndrome Society faces in achieving acceptance and
inclusion of people with Down syndrome.

I wrote about this last year, and learned an important lesson. If we want others to be more tolerant and accommodating of our kids issues, we should step up and be tolerant and accommodating to others.

Sometimes, we allergy parents get upset when people don’t “get” food allergies. How could they be so stupid as to cut the apple pie with the knife that cut the pecan pie? Or how could they have a bowl of peanuts out as our allergic toddler roams around the room?

In many cases, it’s the same as my cavalier use of the “r” word. I didn’t mean any harm but what I did was harmful. Even after I was reminded, I still slipped up. It took a little while, but it wasn’t because I didn’t care. It was because it was new to me and I had never really looked at the issue like my friend, who has an adorable niece with Down syndrome.

It helps to realize that we all have our problems and we’re all connected. Words do matter.

Facebook: Spread the word to end the word.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., (Aug. 18, 2010) - August marks the start of misery for as many as one in five Americans who suffer from hay fever, also called seasonal allergic rhinitis. That's because ragweed, the main cause of hay fever, begins blooming around mid-August and in one day each plant can produce a million pollen grains that can travel for miles from its source.

"Ragweed can bring on sneezing, snuffy nose and watery eyes," says allergist James Sublett, MD, chair of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology's (ACAAI) public relations committee. "But there are lots of things people can do to find relief until the first freeze comes along."

Follow these survival tips from ACAAI:

Beat symptoms to the punch: Get a jump start on ragweed allergy symptoms by taking allergy medications in advance, beginning the first or second week in August.

Beware of other allergies that increase suffering: If you're allergic to dogs, cats or dust mites you may be even more susceptible to ragweed allergy. New research suggests these allergies "prime" the system, making hay fever suffering even worse. The solution? Get treated for allergies year-round, which will make hay fever easier to tolerate.
Avoid peak exposure time: To reduce exposure during peak pollen levels, avoid scheduling outdoor activities between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. when ragweed pollen counts are highest.

Sidestep yard work: Hay fever sufferers should avoid mowing the lawn and raking leaves, two activities that stir up pollen. If you must mow or rake, or are doing other outside activities, such as gardening, wear a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved N95 respirator mask.

Grab some shade(s): Use style to your allergy advantage. Wear glasses or sunglasses that fit close to your face to keep pollen from irritating your eyes.

Steer clear of irritants: Reduce your exposure to air pollutants, such as cigarette smoke, insecticides, fertilizers, gasoline fumes, fresh paint and tar, which can worsen your symptoms.

Those who suspect they have hay fever or other allergies should get tested by an allergist - a doctor who is expert in diagnosing and treating allergies and asthma.

FAIRFAX, Va. (August 12, 2010) - Leandro de Armas is not your typical 7-year-old. While he shares the same interests as most boys - playing sports, collecting trains, and learning about insects - it's his intense focus on helping find a cure for food allergies that makes Leandro stand out.

FAAN's (The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network) Walk for Food Allergy: Moving Toward a Cure is being held in more than 50 cities across the nation this year to raise awareness and funds for food allergy research and education programs. As FAAN's Heart of FAAN Child Ambassador, Leandro is playing a valuable role in increasing awareness about food allergy, a potentially fatal medical condition that affects an estimated 12 million Americans, including 3 million children like Leandro.

Leandro, of Miami, is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, and peas. Peanut and tree nut allergy are among the most dangerous food allergies, and a recent study showed that the incidence of peanut and tree nut allergy among children tripled between 1997 and 2008[1].

"Not many children have this opportunity, and I'm really excited that I am the one FAAN chose to create awareness for food allergies. It is important to raise awareness, and I want all the people to learn about food allergies, so that all the children can be safe," Leandro said.

Leandro has already appeared in a national public service announcement for FAAN's Walk for Food Allergy, and he hopes that people with and without food allergies will participate and support this cause. The national Walks kick off Aug. 15 in Denver and Seattle, with Walks scheduled nearly every weekend of the fall in more than 50 cities across the country.

"Even though he is just 7 years old, Leandro is very driven, and most importantly, very hopeful that scientists will find a cure for food allergy," said FAAN CEO Julia Bradsher. "It is inspiring to see a child who not only wants a cure, but is doing something about it, and that's why Leandro is doing such a great job as FAAN's first Heart of FAAN Child Ambassador."

Leandro will be appearing at the Walk for Food Allergy in Miami on Nov. 6. Walk events are family-friendly and provide a fun way to spend a weekend day while doing something that benefits the food allergy community. For more information, to register, or to make a donation, please visit www.foodallergywalk.org.

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Anaphylaxis in a child is about as funny as a car accident, and I've yet to meet a parent who had a child diagnosed so they could feel special. Sadly now, the peanut-free tables are turned and Joel's young son Laszlo was diagnosed with nut allergies. Joel Stein wrote about this in the August 9, 2010 issue of Time Magazine.

The blogs and message boards are ablaze over this, some include mean-spirited blog posts about karma while others seem frustrated that Joel Stein still doesn't "get it" because he wrote that he would not be "banning nuts" from their home nor would they send him to a nut-free school.