Connect with others who understand.

sign up Log in
Quick Links
Q&A Medications A-Z Help Center Community guidelines Crisis Accessibility
Resources
Emotional Well-Being Food Allergy Information Food Allergy Symptoms Food Allergy Treatments Living with Food Allergy All Resources
About MyFoodAllergyTeam
What is MyFoodAllergyTeam Terms of use Privacy policy
Powered By

Holidays a Challenge for Those With Food Allergies

Posted on December 20, 2018


By Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter

SATURDAY, Nov. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- The holidays can be a particularly difficult time for people with food allergies. But one health expert suggests that these folks can still enjoy festive gatherings, as long as they take certain precautions.

About 5 percent of children and 4 percent of adults in the United States have a food allergy, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health. The most common allergens are milk, egg, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish.

"It's important for people to remember that even though the main ingredients in a dish may be fine, some ingredients can be hidden and cause allergic reactions," said Dr. Russell Traister. He is an allergist and immunologist at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C.

People with food allergies need to be aware of cross-contamination. For example, peanut protein can remain on a bowl or work surface for up to five hours and still cause a severe reaction for someone with a peanut allergy.

In addition, people with food allergies should always have an EpiPen or the generic version of the epinephrine auto-injector with them. They should make sure it has not expired, and that friends and family members know how to use it, Traister said.

If you're attending a holiday gathering with a child or other family member who has food allergies, bring at least one dish that's safe for them in case there aren't any other options, he said.

If you're hosting a get-together, keep all prepared food packaging so guests can check the ingredients for any potential allergens.

Food allergy symptoms can range from rashes, coughing and vomiting to potentially life-threatening reactions, such as swelling of the tongue and the inability to breathe.

"If you think you or a friend or family member is having an allergic reaction and you don't have an epinephrine auto-injector with you, call 911 immediately or go to the closest emergency department," Traister said in a Wake Forest news release.

"Even if you use your epinephrine auto-injector, you should still seek medical attention to prevent a second reaction," he added.

SOURCE: Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, news release, Nov. 13, 2018
Copyright © 2018 All rights reserved.

How do you keep yourself or someone you care for safe during holiday get-togethers?
Share in the comments below or directly on MyFoodAllergyTeam.
Posted on December 20, 2018
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.

We'd love to hear from you! Please share your name and email to post and read comments.

You'll also get the latest articles directly to your inbox.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
All updates must be accompanied by text or a picture.

Subscribe now to ask your question, get answers, and stay up to date on the latest articles.

Get updates directly to your inbox.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Related Articles

3 Allergy-Friendly Cupcakes for Kids

When your child has food allergies, you quickly realize that you have particular concerns that ot...

3 Allergy-Friendly Cupcakes for Kids

When your child has food allergies, you quickly realize that you have particular concerns that ot...
read article >

3 Allergy-Friendly Smoothies

Smoothies can make a tasty, refreshing, and simple breakfast or snack, but if you have food aller...

3 Allergy-Friendly Smoothies

Smoothies can make a tasty, refreshing, and simple breakfast or snack, but if you have food aller...
read article >

8 Concerns Only a Food Allergy Parent Would Understand

When your child has food allergies, every encounter where snacks, meals, or drinks are involved c...

8 Concerns Only a Food Allergy Parent Would Understand

When your child has food allergies, every encounter where snacks, meals, or drinks are involved c...
read article >

12 Tips for Eating Out Safely With Food Allergies

When you live with serious food allergies — or even severe intolerances — eating out can be a cha...

12 Tips for Eating Out Safely With Food Allergies

When you live with serious food allergies — or even severe intolerances — eating out can be a cha...
read article >

Self-Kindness When Struggling: 6-Minute Guided Meditation

This is a short guided meditation by Dr. Christiane Wolf on self-kindness, which gives you more s...

Self-Kindness When Struggling: 6-Minute Guided Meditation

This is a short guided meditation by Dr. Christiane Wolf on self-kindness, which gives you more s...
read article >

4 Allergy-Friendly Dinner Recipes for Kids

Tired of scouring the internet or cookbooks for kid-friendly dinner ideas that you know will be a...

4 Allergy-Friendly Dinner Recipes for Kids

Tired of scouring the internet or cookbooks for kid-friendly dinner ideas that you know will be a...
read article >

Recent Articles

7 Top Questions About Epinephrine Auto-Injectors Answered: Cost, Expiration, and More

If you have severe food allergies, your health care provider likely will prescribe an epinephrine...

7 Top Questions About Epinephrine Auto-Injectors Answered: Cost, Expiration, and More

If you have severe food allergies, your health care provider likely will prescribe an epinephrine...
read article >

When To Use An Epipen vs. Benadryl for Food Allergies

Food allergy symptoms can appear unexpectedly if you or your child is exposed to a food allergen ...

When To Use An Epipen vs. Benadryl for Food Allergies

Food allergy symptoms can appear unexpectedly if you or your child is exposed to a food allergen ...
read article >

Fragrance Sensitivity and Food Allergies: 2 Differences and 4 Similarities

When you’re living with food allergies, tasting — or even inhaling — the wrong ingredient may lea...

Fragrance Sensitivity and Food Allergies: 2 Differences and 4 Similarities

When you’re living with food allergies, tasting — or even inhaling — the wrong ingredient may lea...
read article >

6 Medication Options for Food Allergies: Emergency, Over the Counter, and More

Avoiding allergenic foods is the only way to prevent food allergy symptoms. However, that can be ...

6 Medication Options for Food Allergies: Emergency, Over the Counter, and More

Avoiding allergenic foods is the only way to prevent food allergy symptoms. However, that can be ...
read article >

Crisis Resources

MyHealthTeam does not provide health services, and if you need help, we’d strongly encourage you ...

Crisis Resources

MyHealthTeam does not provide health services, and if you need help, we’d strongly encourage you ...
read article >

Can You Be Allergic to Cucumbers but Not Pickles? What To Know

If pickles are just pickled cucumbers, how can you have an allergic reaction to cucumbers but not...

Can You Be Allergic to Cucumbers but Not Pickles? What To Know

If pickles are just pickled cucumbers, how can you have an allergic reaction to cucumbers but not...
read article >
MyFoodAllergyTeam My food allergies Team

Thank you for subscribing!

Become a member to get even more:

sign up for free

close