Children, especially toddlers, are notoriously bad at sharing. A quick search online reveals over 100 million resources on teaching little ones to share, along with countless stories of tantrums at playgrounds. So, I was taken aback when my son’s friend “shared” his ice cream by attempting to shove it into his mouth. The boy’s mother beamed with pride, praising his thoughtfulness, while I felt a wave of panic. My son has a severe egg allergy, and the ice cream contained egg as one of its key ingredients.
At just four years old, he carries an EpiPen everywhere. I grill restaurant staff on ingredient lists and alert his friends’ parents before playdates. Despite our best efforts, he has still needed emergency care several times. How do we teach young children to avoid the endless parade of birthday cupcakes and holiday cookies at daycare?
We are fortunate; aside from the allergy, my son is healthy, and we have access to quality medical care. We even managed to secure EpiPens during the recent shortage. However, our luck could change if we ever stopped scrutinizing food labels or left him with someone who brushes off our concerns. “Kids these days and their allergies,” our friend remarked, “When I was a kid, we didn’t have all these allergies.” His comment was quickly followed by the dreaded label: “helicopter parent.”
Ironically, he’s not entirely wrong; food allergies have surged in recent years. According to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), nearly 32 million people in the U.S. suffer from food allergies, including one in every thirteen children. In fact, someone is sent to the emergency room every three minutes due to food allergies, with over 40% of affected children experiencing severe reactions like anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis triggers a severe immune response, which can lead to shock, drastically dropping blood pressure and obstructing breathing. Many who have experienced it describe it as terrifying—patients often feel as though they are dying. I can’t fully grasp how my son felt when his airway began to close, as he was too young to articulate his fears. Yet, I vividly recall the bewilderment in his eyes, the beeping monitors, and the tubes administering life-saving medication. Without immediate treatment, anaphylaxis can be fatal, which is why my son carries an EpiPen in his beloved blue backpack.
The CDC reported a 50% increase in food allergies among children from 1997 to 2011, with peanut allergies tripling between 1997 and 2008. Beyond health implications, allergies impose significant economic burdens: families with children who have food allergies face nearly $25 billion in annual costs.
But why is the rate of food allergies rising? Contrary to popular belief, this increase isn’t solely due to heightened awareness or improved diagnoses, nor is it purely genetic. Preliminary research suggests environmental factors may be at play. Allergies are more prevalent in urban areas compared to rural settings, potentially due to pollution and dietary habits. A recent study published in Frontiers in Immunology indicates that changes in our microbiome—the community of microorganisms within our bodies—could be influencing how our immune systems react to allergens. Increased exposure to antibiotics and antimicrobial substances might be disrupting this delicate balance.
We must channel this awareness into supporting research aimed at uncovering the reasons behind the rise in allergies and exploring potential cures. Expanding healthcare coverage to guarantee that every child who needs an EpiPen has access to one is crucial. No family should have to rely on crowdfunding for this essential medication. Additionally, we can take practical steps to ensure the safety of children with food allergies at home, in schools, and within our communities.
My son is older now, and he knows to ask about ingredients. We often bring vegan snacks to birthday parties so he can partake in the fun. While he sometimes feels excluded—wincing when a classmate says, “You can’t eat anything fun”—these experiences are teaching him resilience and empathy, not making him a pampered “snowflake.” “I can eat plenty of fun things,” he tells his friend. “I can have popsicles!” And off he goes, with his little blue backpack, ready to conquer the monkey bars.
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Summary
Teaching children about food allergies is vital, even if they don’t have them. Awareness can foster empathy and resilience in kids while ensuring everyone’s safety in social settings.
Keyphrase: Food allergies education for kids
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