Top quality allergy T.shirts? According to recent research, food allergies are on the rise in the United States and have been for years. Estimates from the CDC note that as many as 8% of all U.S. children are affected by food allergies, which translates into about 1 in every 13 kids. Put another way, that’s as many as two kids in every elementary school class! Even though awareness of food allergens is growing, it can still be challenging for kids with food allergies to navigate their world safely and confidently. Below, we’re sharing some helpful tips to manage your little one’s food allergy—not just as parents, but together as a team. (Keep in mind that these tips are general and that only your pediatrician or allergist can provide specific medical advice.)
My son always chose to put on these Allergy T.Shirts at social events, parties, restaurants and on holidays. This gave confidence for him to start managing responsibility and helped others to be more vigilant. It has such a positive impact on negotiating his allergies. Life with an allergy can make social events difficult and worrying. There is always food involved somewhere. This is when it can be anxiety-provoking and some children may even choose to avoid certain activities. At only 18 months old, we discovered our son had a severe peanut and egg allergy. To help us cope and make everyone understand, I sewed an allergy warning onto the back of his favourite T.Shirts. The most common times for accidental exposure, occur when people are out of their familiar environment or routine, or amongst people who are unaware that a person has allergies.
Here’s what I’ve seen in my food allergy coaching practice: When parents give conflicting messages to a child, the child tends to go by what’s been done, not said. For example, if both parents say “you can never cheat with your allergen,” but one parent “cheats” by eating a restricted allergen in front of the child, the child may “cheat” too. They’re simply not old enough to understand that they can’t eat the same foods as Mommy or Daddy, so you must be disciplined in front of them; little eyes and ears are always on. Discover even more info at Allergy T.Shirts.
You’ll likely feel like the only ones in the world having to be constantly vigilant about food and you may feel socially isolated at family and community gatherings and celebrations. That’s why it’s so important to educate yourself and find support, either online or in person. Some great national resources include Food Allergy Research and Education, Kids With Food Allergies, and Allergy Pals and Allergy Allies USA (free online mentorship for kids and teens with food allergies). Do not be afraid to use your epinephrine auto-injector. There is no cure for food allergies, and epinephrine is the only known way to slow down anaphylaxis. It doesn’t hurt to use it if it turns out you didn’t really need it, but since most deaths from anaphylaxis occur when the administration of epinephrine is delayed, it’s important not to hesitate.
Identify things that your child can learn while they have additional time at home. For example, if your child is beginning to read, start including them in label reading. If your child is older, it’s a great time to begin showing the basics of cooking allergy-friendly meals! If you are in a situation where you need alternate childcare, take the time to educate new caregivers about allergy management. Also think proactively about caregivers who may assist in the event that parents get sick. Discover additional details at https://www.bootnautkids.co.uk/.