Two-year-olds are notorious for their reluctance to share. A quick search on Google reveals over 100 million results on how to teach toddlers the value of sharing, with countless parents recounting tales of playground meltdowns. So, it caught me off guard when my son’s playmate decided to “share” his ice cream by forcefully offering it to him.
His mother beamed with pride, praising his generosity, while I felt my heart race. I rushed to wipe the ice cream from my son’s mouth, pouring water on his face as bystanders looked on, likely shocked by the scene unfolding before them. The reality was that my son has a severe egg allergy, and egg was listed as the third ingredient in that ice cream.
At age four, he carries an EpiPen everywhere he goes. I interrogate waitstaff at restaurants and inform my friends’ parents whenever he goes on playdates. Despite our vigilance, he has still required emergency medical care multiple times. The challenge lies in teaching him to avoid the endless stream of treats brought to daycare for birthdays and holidays, including a particularly harrowing incident on Teacher Appreciation Day.
We consider ourselves fortunate; aside from his allergy, my son is in good health, and we have access to quality medical care. We even managed to secure EpiPens during the recent shortage. But our luck could change if we let our guard down or if we allow him to be around those who underestimate the seriousness of food allergies. “Kids these days and their allergies,” one family friend remarked. “When I was younger, these allergies were rare.” He then labeled me a “helicopter parent.”
Ironically, he is correct to note that food allergies are on the rise. However, this increase is not a result of overprotective millennial parents. According to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), around 32 million Americans live with food allergies, affecting one in every thirteen children. Food allergies lead to emergency room visits every three minutes, and over 40% of children with these allergies have faced severe reactions like anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis triggers a rapid release of chemicals in the body, leading to a dangerous drop in blood pressure and difficulty breathing. Many individuals describe the sensation as terrifying, often feeling as if they are on the verge of death. While my son was too young to articulate his feelings during his own experience, I will never forget the fear in his eyes, the sound of medical equipment beeping, and the sight of IV tubes delivering medication into his small body. If not treated immediately, anaphylaxis can be fatal. That’s why he always carries his EpiPen in his favorite blue backpack.
Research from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention indicates that food allergies among children surged by 50% from 1997 to 2011. Peanut allergies alone tripled in children from 1997 to 2008. Beyond health concerns, food allergies carry significant economic impacts, costing U.S. families nearly $25 billion annually.
So, what’s driving this alarming rise in food allergies? Contrary to popular opinion, it’s not due to better awareness or increased diagnoses, nor can it be solely linked to genetics. Preliminary research suggests environmental factors may be at play. Allergies appear more prevalent in urban settings than in rural ones, likely due to pollution and dietary shifts. A recent study published in Frontiers in Immunology posits that changes in the human microbiome could contribute to this trend. The microbiome, a collection of bacteria and fungi residing in our bodies, has evolved alongside us for millions of years. Increased exposure to antibiotics and environmental antimicrobials may disrupt this relationship and influence how our immune systems react to allergens like eggs and peanuts.
We must convert awareness into action, supporting research to uncover the reasons behind the rise in allergies and exploring potential cures. Additionally, we need to ensure that healthcare coverage guarantees every child has access to an EpiPen. Families shouldn’t have to resort to GoFundMe pages to afford this essential medication. But we can also take immediate steps to create safer environments for children with food allergies at home, school, and in the community.
My son is older now and knows to inquire about food ingredients. We’ve started bringing vegan snacks to birthday parties so he can participate without feeling excluded. Occasionally, he feels left out when classmates mention “fun” foods he can’t eat, but he’s learning resilience and empathy through these experiences—not becoming a pampered “snowflake.” “I can enjoy plenty of fun things,” he tells his friends. “I can have popsicles!” With that, he grabs his blue backpack and dashes off to play.
For more insights on parenting and health, you can check out another blog post here. Additionally, for authoritative information regarding food allergies and their implications, visit this resource.
In summary, it’s essential to educate all children about food allergies, regardless of whether they are personally affected. This knowledge fosters empathy, safety, and awareness in a world where food allergies are increasingly common.