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How I got caught up in the food allergy cause and why I am riding. A co-worker, and one of the nicest and smartest guys to boot, and his wife shared with me the story of their son, Connor.
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In August 2007, Connor ate 2 bites of yogurt and suffered an anaphylactic reaction. Within minutes, the hives and redness around his eye had progressed to facial swelling, respiratory problems and skin discoloration. Through blood testing, we learned of his allergies to milk, soy, egg, peanut, tree nuts and wheat. Since then, additional testing has confirmed allergies to sesame, barley, oat, apple, pea, potato and quinoa.
In March 2008, after months of food refusal, Connor was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EE). With EE, food protein triggers eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) in the esophagus. Unfortunately, EE is not outgrown and must be managed through diet and medication. Due to the damage in his esophagus, Connor was on elemental formula only and unable to eat any food for several months. Once his esophagus healed, we began food trials. Connor is now able to eat pear, blueberries and rice. He is dependent on elemental formula and probably will be for many years.
Although Connor's diet is limited, we still have to be vigilant at all times. Even trace amounts of a food allergen can cause an allergic reaction. Connor has experienced many contact reactions so we have to watch what others eat and touch. He's had reactions at his sisters' activities, shopping trips and the hospital after his last endoscopy. Last summer, a shopping trip ended in a call to 911 and administering the Epi Pen.
This is what so many families are dealing with. More than 12 million Americans have food allergies, including about 3.1 million children. The incidence of food allergy in the United States has doubled in the last 10 years for unknown reasons. Until reseachers find a cure, strict avoidance of an allergen is the only "therapy" for food allergy. For now, awareness and education in managing food allergy and anaphylaxis are the keys to avoiding a food allergy reaction. The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) provides invaluable support for those families, like ours, who are dealing with food allergy. |
