Food Allergy Updates

Although more is becoming known about food allergies each day, there is still no cure and there are about 150 to 200 deaths annually in the United States from anaphylactic reactions to foods. Also, with all that is known about preventing food allergies, peanut allergies are increasing in children. And most food labels are still confusing and it is not easy to find hidden ingredients in foods that your child might be allergic to.

Will my child outgrow his food allergy?

It depends. Many people believe that allergies to cow's milk and eggs are easily outgrown. One recent study showed that half of infants with an egg allergy outgrew their allergy after 35 months and 66% after 5 years. For other foods, like fish and peanuts, your child is less likely to outgrow the allergy. The type of reaction may also determine if your child outgrows the allergy or not, with more serious reactions being less likely to be outgrown.

What is the new test for food allergies?

You are probably referring to the ImmunoCAP Specific IgE blood test from Pharmacia Diagnostics. Unlike skin testing, the ImmunoCAP test is done on a blood sample and it provides IgE levels (which may indicate an allergy) for common allergens, like mold, grass, cat or dog dander and many foods. Although most Pediatricians don't do allergy skin testing in the office and that usually requires referral to an allergist, the ImmunoCAP test can be ordered by your Pediatrician.

Why aren't food labels easier to read?

That is a good question. Parents are often left trying to read all of the ingredients to see if they might show something that your child is allergic to. But it isn't easy. For example, if your child is allergic to milk, you will have to avoid foods that list casein, whey, curds, caseinate, ammonium caseinate, potassium caseinate, lactalbumin, and lactoglobulin as an ingredient.

Some companies are providing more helpful food labels, including a statement such as 'Contains' or 'Allergy Information' on the label. For example, many Quaker products list statements like 'Contains Wheat, Soy, Milk and Egg Ingredients' making it easy to spot foods that your child is allergic to. You can show your support to the food manufactures that are voluntarily improving their food labels and ask others to do the same.

New food labeling rules require companies to now plainly list the 8 most common ingredients that trigger allergies on the nutrition label, so avoiding foods that your child is allergic to should now be easier.

Isn't there a new medicine for food allergies?

Clinical trials are being done on a new medication, TNX-901, that decreases the severity of allergic reactions in people allergic to peanuts. It isn't a cure though, and will just decrease your child's chances of having a severe or life threatening reaction after accidently eating peanuts. The downsides are that it is a monthly injection and will likely be fairly expensive. And although originally thought to be about 4 years away, legal battles might delay it from being available even longer.