tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272905162914577099.post4619738567476757645..comments2023-06-24T07:01:51.675-07:00Comments on Food Allergy Bitch: Re-Branding Food AllergiesFood Allergy Bitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243380102426383939noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272905162914577099.post-38617996951927139322012-06-28T12:57:27.465-07:002012-06-28T12:57:27.465-07:00I'll sometimes lump them under "immune is...I'll sometimes lump them under "immune issues, which include severe food allergies," which I can get away with because I have other autoimmune stuff going on. I've found that helps a lot, especially when I'm trying to explain or account for some of that other stuff at the same time; it seems to be easier for people to accept and tolerate multiple issues if they can fit under one umbrella category.Raehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17482001891904616938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272905162914577099.post-46391463126750369972012-06-24T08:46:44.560-07:002012-06-24T08:46:44.560-07:00Thanks, DeBi! No higher complement in my book than...Thanks, DeBi! No higher complement in my book than "kicking ass." :)Food Allergy Bitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10243380102426383939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272905162914577099.post-24564173157810528502012-06-21T22:58:15.469-07:002012-06-21T22:58:15.469-07:00Umm...your blog kicks some serious food allergy as...Umm...your blog kicks some serious food allergy ass. Just sayin'.<br /><br />I love it when I tell someone my child has food allergies, one being to dairy and I get hit with "Oh, I'm lactose intolerant too!!"<br /><br />Lord help us all.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17064767241439142633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272905162914577099.post-90123521199536555882012-06-21T13:38:20.842-07:002012-06-21T13:38:20.842-07:00Sakina, I certainly don't begrudge the FPIES o...Sakina, I certainly don't begrudge the FPIES or EoE kids a place at the food allergy table! But frankly, kids with EoE or FPIES are better off socially than my kid because they have a medical-sounding phrase (with an acronym!) to use when describing what's wrong with them. <br /><br />I think (hope) it was pretty clear that this article was about the ~23% of the populace out there who describes themselves or their child as "allergic" on the basis of vague, crazy symptoms that are more about control issues than any medical diagnosis. When my kid says "food allergy", he's lumped in with all of them. He knows now that there's a social stigma so he talks about his food allergies as little as possible, which is not always a good decision safety-wise.<br /><br />As a physician, you probably don't get to experience the eye-rolling and snide comments that go with telling someone your child has a food allergy. Your medical degree ensures they'll take you seriously. Unfortunately, the rest of us don't have an instant badge of credibility.Food Allergy Bitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10243380102426383939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272905162914577099.post-2146400568042568922012-06-21T13:05:06.911-07:002012-06-21T13:05:06.911-07:00As an Allergist, I do use the term "food alle...As an Allergist, I do use the term "food allergy" to apply to more than just IgE-mediated reactions. FPIES, for example, is a very serious, potentially life-threatening gastrointestinal reaction that presents in a delayed fashion, and does not include the urticaria/angioedema commonly associated with immediate hypersensitivity. Eosinophilic esophagitis, as mentioned above, is another immune-mediated food hypersensitivity reaction with significant consequences. I understand the frustration with folks claiming allergies to foods without any evidence of immune hypersensitivity. However, I think it's important to recognize that the involvement of the skin and respiratory tract are not necessary components of serious allergic reactions. In fact, some of the most frustrating allergic reactions to foods are purely gastrointestinal in nature, because these are the situations most likely to be misdiagnosed in the emergency department as "a bug" or "intolerance".Sakina Bajowala, MDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03240454760485085295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272905162914577099.post-85142921335977729222012-06-21T10:37:46.690-07:002012-06-21T10:37:46.690-07:00Connie, I have used the words "like what happ...Connie, I have used the words "like what happens with a bee sting", because that seems to help people understand. It also helps to say "he's gotten a shot and gone to the hospital several times because he's had trouble breathing." <br /><br />It's so sad that we have to justify and quantify our children's reactions...but that's what you do when the waters are so muddy. <br /><br />How about "anaphylaxis with edema and dyspnea", or AED? Acronyms and medical terms always seem to help people take disorders more seriously...Food Allergy Bitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10243380102426383939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272905162914577099.post-83554671168051471672012-06-21T08:32:26.059-07:002012-06-21T08:32:26.059-07:00Brave post! I have recently stopped going to a po...Brave post! I have recently stopped going to a popular allergy board for the same reason - tired of trying to be supportive of those who obviously are not dealing with true allergies. SO many truly believe behavioural problems are caused by allergies, and I'm sick of them muddying the waters. I blame the bogus tests that you highlighted in your Bitchie awards and Jenny McCarthy who popularized the wheat-free-casein-free cure-all-your-kids-behaviour / learning / sleep / yeast / vaccine-injured children diet. Many times over the years I've dealt with people blaming milk for behaviour problems, and it has caused me to start re-branding my son's allergy as "a milk allergy that is like a peanut allergy, and here's his Epipen" so people at least understand it's a real issue.Conniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12744478169282733234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272905162914577099.post-9566418114529579292012-06-20T13:36:14.580-07:002012-06-20T13:36:14.580-07:00I think that part of the problem is that not all a...I think that part of the problem is that not all allergists to have the same narrow definition of "allergy". Some use that term only to refer to patients with a history IgE mediated allergic reactions. Others don't. Some use the term allergy to refer to any immune system response to proteins to encompass cell mediated reactions and problems like eosinophilic disorders. <br /><br />I do recognize that sometimes a stomach ache isn't just a stomach ache. For example with a child with an eosinophilic disorder whose immune system is causing inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract which can cause long term damaage (and if in the esophogus a chocking risk).<br /><br />Don't get me wrong. I do think the claim of "allergies" is used sloppily and inaccurately by people who actually have something like lactose intolerance. <br /><br />And I don't particularly support the push for peanut-free this, that and the other or the perception that peanut allergies are necessarly worse than others. <br /><br />Our son's most severe reaction to ingestion was to chicken. And his contact reactions have been to egg. And it would be inappropriate to prohibit all of the other children in his preschool for give up all of his allergens.<br /><br />And there are circumstances when I find it more helpful to be specific when refusing someone's offer of food to him. Oh, no thank you for that candy. Peanut butter gives him hives.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05519365851813107611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272905162914577099.post-30075106501834505842012-06-20T12:29:35.946-07:002012-06-20T12:29:35.946-07:00But isn't that the problem?
Allergists have ...But isn't that the problem? <br /><br />Allergists have a very narrow definition for a food allergy. Bowel problems that are not immediate onset with other symptoms and behavior problems are definitely NOT food allergies.<br /><br />That doesn't mean they're not serious, debilitating, annoying, scary...but they're NOT food allergies. <br /><br />When I say "allergy" to people I want them to think 1) hives/flushing, 2) swelling, 3) vomiting, 4) wheezing, and (hopefully not, but) 5) cardiovascular symptoms and/or shock. <br /><br />The problem is that other people say allergy and want them to think...behavior problems? WTF?<br /><br />On another note, I'm surprised about the theme park. Most that we've visited have a policy for allergies. You might try asking if they have a health center manager you can talk with next time. <br /><br />And I fully believe in name 'em and shame 'em, so tell us where you were! :)Food Allergy Bitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10243380102426383939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-272905162914577099.post-10626552031423921272012-06-20T12:17:31.701-07:002012-06-20T12:17:31.701-07:00I like the alternatives to saying "my kid has...I like the alternatives to saying "my kid has food allergies!!!" They might have been useful yesterday when we took food into a theme park that doesn't allow any outside food to be brought in! I think it is important to distinguish that food allergies can be mild to life-threatening so yes, a stomachache can still be an allergy, just not a life-threatening one. Food allergies may only cause bowel problems to behavior problems but not anaphylaxis and still be very much true allergies.htg20https://www.blogger.com/profile/10234105818218286282noreply@blogger.com