Food Allergy Awareness Support & Training

After the Diagnosis....What Do I Do Next?

Work with your physician to develop an emergency plan. Make sure you know when and how to administer emergency medications, how to contact your doctor, etc.

Contact The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network. 
Note: A great FAAN resource is the videotape "It Only Takes One Bite".

Obtain a MedicAlert emblem (bracelets work well for children).

Learn how to read a label. This is more complicated than you may think! To familiarize yourself with the various terms, see The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network's how-to-read-a-label cards.

Get involved in a local support group if possible! FAAST serves the Greater Cincinnati area.

For information on the symptoms of a serious food allergy, check the FAAN web site at www.foodallergy.org or ask your doctor.

FAAST has a small lending library available for members. Videos tapes must be reserved by phone prior to a FAAST meeting and returned by mail within 2 weeks. Available video titles include:

FAAN
"Friends Helping Friends"
"Only Takes One Bite"
"Food Allergies: Fact or Fiction"
"Alexander the Elephant Who Couldn't Eat Peanuts"

DEY
"Anaphylaxis: When Seconds Count"

Other resources are available for patients at Cincinnati Children's Hospital

LIFE STEPS Cheryl S. Food Allergy Survivor

1. AWARENESS - The children who are afflicted with a food allergy must be aware that they ARE different. They were born with a special problem which requires specific precautions. They must accomplish unusual daring, skill, and endurance to survive. Furthermore, these kids must know they can DIE from just one bite!
2. EDUCATION - Learn all you can about your allergy. Learn from the mistakes and the experiences of others. When you go on vacation, familiarize yourself with your surroundings and the location of the local hospitals. Always know where and how you will go for help.
3. FAMILY & FRIENDS - They are so very needed and important. You cannot handle this alone, therefore, you MUST enlist their help and support. Food allergies are not a subject that you should keep quiet. ALL of you need to make as much noise as possible. Tell all of your family, friends and neighbors. Ensure they understand the seriousness of the situation and that you are not over-reacting.
4. COMFORT ZONE - This is your home. Notice that I did not title this "Safety Zone." For as much as you try, there is NO safe place. Nevertheless, by taking specific precautions, these children can still feel comfortable at home knowing there is less chance for exposure.
5. ARMOR Your first line of protection is an EPI-PEN ® . Arm your child with an EPI-PEN ® . Get a number of them and place them all around. Be aware they have been known to fail and one may not be enough.
   Your second line of protection is a MEDICAL-ALERT TAG . Arm your child with a Medic-Alert bracelet or necklace. Many health officials are NOT well informed on the effects of food allergies, therefore, Recognition of the symptoms are especially a problem.
6. COMMITMENT - Commit as a family to watch out for one another. But remember to live a normal and happy life. Learn not to live in fear.
7. SELF - RELIANCE - It is Very important to teach your children a CAN-DO attitude: I, YOU, WE can-do! If these children build a foundation of independence, they will NOT go through life afraid. They need to trust and rely on their own intuition. Responsibility for their own well-being is the key to their survival.
8. PREVENTION - This is the best medicine. It is also the most difficult 'feat' of all the Life-Steps. Do your best and learn as you go. Watch out for cross-contamination and Never accept assumptions.
9. SUPPORT GROUPS - Consider them your buddy system. Since we must cope with these food allergies together, we all need groups such as: FAAN & FAAST as a venue for: awareness, information, networking, training, and, of course, support. Where else can we rally for this cause, lean on each other for help, share our experiences, and vent our frustrations. We now know, through a combined effort, that we can fight this battle and make a difference, together.
10. FAITH - Have faith in a higher being.  No matter what your religious convictions are, know that God is by your side. If you are involved in either your Church or Temple , use their support and strength as well.