View Our Three Office Locations
Close

By Allergy & Asthma Specialists – 6/15/2014

With school out and an increase of fun events on the horizon in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and throughout Hampton Roads, we encourage you to review the following food allergy tips from our food allergy doctors and also share them with your children:

• Pack smart – Be sure to have two epinephrine auto-injectors on hand just in case unrecognized food allergens are hiding in certain foods. When packing a picnic, pack allergic and non-allergic foods separately.

• B.Y.O.C. – Bring Your Own Condiments. Skip the large containers of condiments and use individual-sized packets of ketchup, mustard, relish and mayonnaise. These will help prevent cross contamination that can occur when sharing large jugs.

• Please say no to sharing – As much as sharing might be instilled in your child, they shouldn’t share plates, cups, napkins or utensils if they have a food allergy. When serving, using different utensils for each dish will help reduce cross contamination.

• Plastic and foil – Opt for a plastic table cloth since it will prevent your child from coming in contact any allergy-causing food particles left on the table from previous meals. When grilling, cook foods on a fresh piece of aluminum foil to avoid cross-contamination.

• Many allergens – Avoid foods in which nuts, dairy and other common allergens can be lurking, such as mixed salads, barbecue sauces and salad dressings.

• Pass the soap – Use disinfecting wipes or bacterial gel to clean kids’ faces and hands after eating. This helps reduce the likelihood of allergy-causing food particles being passed during play.

• Knowledge is power – If you are buying food in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, or Hampton Roads, don’t be afraid to ask how certain dishes or foods were prepared and what they might contain. Just one simple question could mean avoiding a life-threatening reaction.

If a child has an allergic reaction to food, it can present itself in a variety of ways within a few seconds to 2 hours after ingesting them. Mild symptoms include skin rash, hives or other rashes, or a discomfort in the mouth. More severe reactions include vomiting, wheezing, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, and possibly death.

If you live in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, or Hampton Roads and need information about food allergies, epinephrine auto-injectors, food allergens, cross-contamination, or allergic reactions, please call us at any of our 3 food allergy clinics listed below. Our food allergy doctors are here to help you.

___________________________________________________

About our food allergy clinics
Since 1951 the food allergy doctors at Allergy & Asthma Specialists have been successfully treating and educating children and adults in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and throughout Hampton Roads about food allergies, epinephrine auto-injectors, food allergens, cross-contamination, and allergic reactions.