On this blog, we talk a lot about the different facets of allergies and asthma, especially as they relate to keeping kids safe from potentially harmful allergens. The need to discuss how these diseases impact the youth of today is evident as, according to the Food Allergy Research and Education foundation, one in 13 children suffers from some type of food allergy.
Unfortunately, not every child is able to find a way to handle their food allergies, and some devastatingly succumb to their allergies regardless of their parent's best efforts to avoid triggers.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), there are roughly 200 fatalities related to food allergies each year. Of those, approximately 150 are children and young adults who die of anaphylaxis.
Recently, a little boy in New York named Joseph DeNicola suffered a fatal anaphylactic reaction. The 7-year-old, who was severely allergic to milk protein and a slew of other foods had been out trick-or-treating for Halloween on October 31 and seemed fine. Later that night, he was rushed to the hospital because he was having an allergic reaction coupled with asthma. His parents say that they were very diligent about what kinds of foods and candies Joseph ate over the course of the night, and neither one of them saw him eat anything that would have caused a problem. He passed away from anaphylactic shock on November 5. : (
The DeNicola's had preventative measures and means of allergy control in place when they took their child trick-or-treating. That being said, especially on holidays when food from strangers is involved, it is important to be mindful and attentive to the objects and materials your little one comes in contact with.
For more information on the different types of allergies, how to prevent attacks and how to avoid triggers, visit the Allergy Be Gone website today!
