This year, Food Allergy Awareness Week falls on May 10-16, part of an entire month of Food Allergy Action. Food Allergy Action Month was established by FARE, Food Allergy Research & Education, with the intention of providing education, information, and resources to the wider community about food allergies.

Remember that we, as humans, love to eat—it is in our nature. When we eat products that have been manufactured or prepared alongside allergens, this can contaminate the food that will be consumed. An allergy sufferer may unknowingly consume the product and suffer from anaphylaxis—or worse. That is why you often see on many packaged products the disclaimer that the item has been processed in a plant along with tree nuts, milk, or soy, etc.

Then there are those who are not aware that they have an allergy—the reaction alone can be a terrifying experience. In cases such as with children, the elderly, or those who are particularly sensitive to allergies, this can have potentially life-threatening effects.

How FARE Plans to Honor the Week

FARE developed a fun and engaging calendar to keep those active throughout the month. Social media usage is so widespread, and it can be the quickest way to share information to everyone within one’s network.

Here are some of the suggestions that they make:

• Getting on social media to encourage friends and others to get involved
• Have local media and business promote stories about food allergies
• Encourage students, such as in the Be a Pal program and engaging in activities that educate them on food allergies

You can view other possible activities on the action calendar here.

What is perhaps the most important part about raising awareness about food allergies is to benefit children. About 1 in 13 children have some form of food allergy, and it is important that we acknowledge the effects of a severe allergic reaction.

These are some of the most common types of food allergies:

• Tree nuts
• Peanuts
• Eggs
• Wheat soy
• Fish and shellfish
• Milk

What else can I do to help?

FARE recommends the following course of action to help you if you have kids or know someone with kids that suffer from food allergies. Some of these suggestions include to avoid sharing food with other children that have food allergies and to encourage children to never stay silent and seek an adult’s help if they begin feeling sick.

As always, if ever you have any questions about what course of action to take for your or your child’s food allergy, do not hesitate to call us and make an appointment at the Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia. We have board-certified allergists on hand to provide you with the resources you need to relieve you from the symptoms of allergy.

We have seven locations throughout metro Atlanta. Book your appointment today!