• 2 million school-aged children have food allergies.

• Eight foods account for 90% of all reactions in the U.S. – milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish.

• What is a Food allergy? – A person’s immune system reacts to a food protein as a threatening foreign substance and launches an attack by releasing powerful chemicals. These chemicals trigger symptoms of an allergic reaction, which can range from hives to deadly anaphylaxis.

• Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe allergic reaction to a substance. Symptoms can include wheezing, hives, itching, swelling of the face & lips, difficulty breathing, vomiting, a severe drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness & cardiac arrest (heart stops).

Food allergies are on the rise in the U.S. Approximately 11 million Americans suffer from food allergies, with 6.5 million allergic to seafood and 3 million allergic to peanut and tree nuts. All of these individuals are at risk for anaphylaxis.

• OFTEN THESE SYMPTOMS HAPPEN WITHIN SECONDS……
AND CAN QUICKLY BECOME AN
URGENT MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

• A study conducted by The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) found:
- 60% of school nurses reported increase in elementary age students with food allergies in the classroom over the last 5 years
- 94% of school nurses reported having at least 1 child with food allergies in their school
- 87% stated that, compared with other health related issues, food allergies among school age children are somewhat or very serious.

• The American Medical Association’s message supports the call for schools to have established guidelines for managing food-allergic children. Citing concerns that dangerous food allergies are on the rise, the AMA recommended that schools provide more student and teacher education on food allergies. The AMA also recommended that schools have guidelines for these emergencies and ensure epinephrine kits, the medication of choice to treat severe reactions, are on the premises with at least one staff member trained to their use.

The information contained here is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please seek the advice of your physician regarding any treatment for allergies and asthma.

For more information visit the Food Allergy & Anaphaylaxis Network website: www.foodallergy.org