Allergen Fact Sheets provide clear and easily understandable information to customers with food allergies, including posters, fast facts and topic sheets (such as myths of food allergy, stress & anxiety relief techniques for managing symptoms, epipen administration or diagnosis) along with checklists.
Our fact sheets are tailored specifically for Adult Day Care and Child Care Center program operators. They include information about 14 major allergens — milk, eggs, soy, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish — that must be declared under food law.
What is an Allergy?
Allergies are caused by an immune system’s response to normally harmless substances, mistaking them as threats and producing inappropriate responses (for instance itching). These responses may range from minor symptoms such as itchy skin to more serious reactions such as asthma attacks that can even become life threatening.
The immune system is comprised of an intricate network of cells and organs designed to defend against microorganisms and other invaders that pose threats to health, such as bacteria. It also serves to combat allergies, which occur when your immune system overreacts to substances inhaled or consumed that do not typically impact most individuals – allergens include items like dust, pollen, pet dander, food or medications (including bee venom).
As soon as a person encounters an allergy trigger, their immune system produces antibodies to attack allergens which release chemicals including histamines that irritate and inflame skin, nose, ears, lungs or gut; leading to itchy watery eyes or even sneezing as symptoms from itchy watery eyes to sneezing develop. Serious allergic reactions require emergency epinephrine treatment immediately; ASCIA, Australia/New Zealand’s peak professional body for Clinical Immunology/Allergy specialists has created fact sheets on common allergy triggers in Australia/New Zealand so as to educate patients/carers/health professionals as well as members of community about them.
What Causes an Allergy?
Allergies occur when our immune systems overreact to substances they perceive to be harmful, even though they’re actually not. Under normal circumstances, antibodies produced by our immune systems protect us against germs that could cause infection or illness by attacking and eliminating invaders like germs and microorganisms – however if they produce antibodies against food pollen medication bee venom etc and produce overreacting antibodies against these invaders as opposed to producing antibodies which attack them instead – but when that doesn’t happen then these allergens – known as allergens – can trigger symptoms in some people including dust mites mold spores pet dander as well as medicines or foods as these substances called allergens contain many everyday items like dust mites mold spores pet dander as well as medications and foods containing gluten as allergens!
Food allergies occur when cells produce immunoglobulin E (IgE), an antibody protein produced in large amounts by cells throughout the body that recognize and attach themselves to an allergen, then consume it. When that allergen is eaten, it releases chemicals from cells lining airways and intestines containing histamine that cause symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itching – common allergy symptoms seen today.
Some individuals may have stronger immune responses, resulting in more intense reactions to common allergens than others. If this occurs, life-threatening reactions called anaphylaxis could occur and need immediate medical intervention with an injection of an antihistamine such as Epinephrine. Consulting a doctor or clinical immunology/allergy specialist can be invaluable when diagnosing and treating allergies.
How Do I Know if My Child Has an Allergy?
Food allergies can have far-reaching repercussions in the body, impacting all systems from skin and respiratory to gastrointestinal. The first step should be telling their doctor or healthcare professional about any symptoms, while making sure that they carry an adrenaline autoinjector (commonly referred to as EpiPen) as it provides rapid relief if an allergic reaction should arise.
Symptoms may include rashes, wheezing or itchy eyes and nose. If in doubt, speak to your pediatrician and request referral to an allergist who specializes in pediatric care – specifically an allergy specialist known as an “allergist.”
Important to know: it is possible for some allergies, like milk, eggs, wheat and peanuts, to fade over time. Less commonly, children outgrow peanut, tree nut, fish or sesame seed allergies.
Your child’s allergist will likely begin by conducting either a skin prick or blood test to measure IgE antibodies to specific allergens, while for food allergies a challenge test will likely be conducted under medical supervision at a hospital where small quantities are eaten and their reactions monitored.
Children at risk of food allergies must read ingredient lists on food packaging carefully, and discuss with their caregivers which foods to avoid. In case they do experience an allergic reaction, children who carry their adrenaline autoinjector with them at all times – including school and day care settings – and follow an ASCIA action plan should they experience symptoms.
What Should I Do if My Child Has an Allergy?
Your child’s allergic reactions could include medications, foods, dust mites, pollens, animals, insect stings or bites and some household or personal items like dust mites. Mild symptoms could include itchy lips or mild mouth swelling while severe reactions could require emergency treatment due to contact with allergens or food, including difficulty breathing, tongue or throat swelling, vomiting, hoarse voice, low blood pressure or fainting. Reactions range from mild to severe based on exposure; symptoms might include rash itching or swelling of lips or teeth while reactions caused by contact can range from mild to life-threatening reactions caused by allergen or food exposure that require emergency medical intervention; symptoms could include itching lips/mouth/lip/mouth swelling/mouth/lip/mouth swelling while severe reactions include difficulty breathing difficulty breathing/intolerance of food allergen/food exposure with symptoms like difficulty breathing difficulty/intolerance/allergen contact such as tongue/throat swelling/vomitting, low blood pressure/fainting as a result of contact or exposure with allergen/food contact; symptoms include difficulty breathing difficulty breathing difficulties breathing/throat swelling of mouth/throat/ingestion thereof such as difficulty breathing/vomitting; hoarse voice/low blood pressure/ fainting etc.
If your child exhibits symptoms of allergy, visit their GP immediately to be tested and advised how best to manage and treat their allergy in the future. They will confirm if an allergy exists as well as provide guidance as to how best treat it in future.
Your child should learn to read food labels and avoid items they are allergic to. Be sure they understand why requesting separate servings when dining out is necessary. Likewise, inform teachers and other adults of their allergies; give a copy of their allergy action plan; and ensure access to an adrenaline auto-injector at school.
Allergies are an increasingly prevalent problem among children, yet can impact individuals of any age and at any point in their lives. Once resolving, allergies often return after periods of remission. Successful management can improve quality of life while decreasing absences from school. There are three key approaches for managing allergies: avoidance, allergy immunotherapy and medicine.
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