As the new school year begins, families with children who have food allergies must take extra precautions to ensure their child’s safety. According to Dr. Gonzalo Alvarez Del Real, a board-certified allergist and immunologist, a food allergy is different from a food intolerance because it involves the immune system and can be life-threatening.

Understanding Food Allergies

Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction can include swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. The nine major food allergens are milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, and sesame.

For families managing food allergies, avoiding exposure is key. This includes checking food labels and being aware of possible cross-contact when preparing or sharing food. Schools can also be a source of accidental exposure through shared food, utensils, and surfaces.

Emergency Preparedness

Parents should make sure teachers, school staff, and other caregivers know about their child’s allergy and understand the child’s emergency action plan. Dr. Alvarez Del Real recommends that people with food allergies carry at least two epinephrine auto-injectors at all times.

Antihistamines may help with some allergy symptoms, but they are not a substitute for epinephrine during anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. If epinephrine is needed, the risk of delaying treatment is greater than the risk associated with administering the medication.

After giving epinephrine for a suspected life-threatening allergic reaction, it is essential to call 911 and seek emergency medical care.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.