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When my son was diagnosed with food allergies at the age of 2, my anxiety levels were high. Numerous questions ran through my head…How severe would his reactions get? Would he ever outgrow them? How resistant would he be to the changes he was about to endure? I also worried about how I could keep him safe at birthday parties and preschool.
We are incredibly fortunate that four years later, our son has outgrown all but one of his food allergies. Thankfully, we never experienced anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction, but for 1 in every 13 children in the US, this is a very real risk (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network).
Earlier this month, I had an opportunity to speak with Dr. Hemant Sharma, a leading pediatric allergist who recently launched a new e-book to offer parents and caregivers tips for recognizing and avoiding allergic reactions. The Adventures of Ana & Phyl Axis: The Carnival, is a wonderful story that seeks to broach the subject of allergies and anaphylaxis in a non-threatening way. The story is narrated by actress Julie Bowen and available at Anaphylaxis101.com.
During the interview, Dr. Sharma spoke about the types of allergens families should most be concerned about, the most common signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and how to prepare for an allergic reaction.
The launch of this book is the first in an initiative titled Get Schooled in Anaphylaxis. As part of this initiative, they’ve also launched a competition to encourage people to “raise their hand” to show awareness for anaphylaxis. The four school districts with the highest number of “hands raised” will each receive a $15,000 grant to implement relevant educational programs. For more information, visit Anaphylaxis101.com.
Images: Anaphylaxis 101
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