Caregiver in San Juan Capistrano CA
Fifteen million Americans suffer from food allergies according to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), and each day are faced with challenges in avoiding their food allergens in order to prevent minor breathing, upset stomach, or skin irritations at best, and life-threatening reactions called anaphylaxis, at worst.
May is Food Allergy Action Month, a time set aside to reinforce the seriousness of food allergies and allergen reactions; and to foster respect and empathy for those who are affected. In fact, this year’s theme is “Food Allergies: React With Respect.” Another of the goals during the month is to enlighten the public about how to identify symptoms of a possible allergic reaction and how to best respond in the case of an emergency.
Allergies to certain foods can develop at any time—though they often start when a person is a child or adolescent. Some allergies can be outgrown, but others cannot.
Eight foods account for 90 percent of all allergic reactions: Milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish. Even trace amounts of a food allergen can cause a reaction. There are many methods to treat or to control food allergies. That’s why awareness is so important.
“FARE is leading efforts to fund research to improve the lives of the millions affected by food allergies. We work to support adults and families managing food allergies with educational resources to help them not just live well, but thrive,” said James R. Baker, Jr. M.D., CEO of FARE, in discussing the campaign. “At the same time, it is critically important to bring understanding and education to the general public. When someone has a food allergy, everyone needs to help keep them safe and respect that they are managing a life-altering and potentially life-threatening disease.”
If your loved one suffers from a food allergy, how can you, as their family caregiver, help keep them safe? Here are a few ideas:
- Get them a medical ID bracelet indicating they suffer from a food allergy
- When dining out with them, pick a restaurant that best fits what they can eat. If they have a seafood allergy, for example, it’s best not to go where they serve a lot of seafood.
- At the restaurant, stress to the staff that a food allergy exists and ask that the person’s food be cooked separately, and not using the same utensils or grease/oils used to prepare other foods they are allergic to.
- Have them carry an auto-injector and they or someone with them should know how to use it in case a reaction still occurs. Get to a hospital as soon as possible after using an auto-injector.
- At home, family members should wash their hands before and after eating to avoid the transfer of food allergens. Counters, tables and utensils should be thoroughly washed during and after prep and after meals. If your loved one lives alone, this is much easier to manage. But if a family meal is being prepared, caution must be exercised.
If you or an aging loved one are considering caregiver services in San Juan Capistrano, CA, please contact the caring staff at Canaan Home Care today! 1-844-CANAAN-1 (1-844-226-2261)
Source: www.foodallergy.org
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