Q. What inspired you to write this book?

A. Each year thousands of children are diagnosed with life-threatening food allergies – and thousands of parents are suddenly faced with figuring out how to care for a child who can literally “drop dead” after eating a tiny amount of the wrong thing. I wrote this book because I wanted to share my in-depth knowledge of food allergy management with these other parents. How to Manage Your Child’s Life-Threatening Food Allergies is a convenient reference manual of the practical, detailed information that parents need.

Q. What makes you an “expert” on food allergy management?

A. I have over 16 years of experience in successfully managing my own son’s very severe, life-threatening food allergies, and over 13 years of experience as the leader of a support group for parents of children with potentially fatal food allergies.

Q. Who is the intended audience for How to Manage?

A. This book is primarily targeted at parents of children who have life-threatening food allergies. However, other adults who care for or interact with these children – including relatives, teachers, caregivers, neighbors, Scout leaders, and sports coaches – would benefit from How to Manage Your Child’s Life-Threatening Food Allergies as well.

Q. What makes this book different from other books about life-threatening food allergies that are available today?

A. How to Manage Your Child’s Life-Threatening Food Allergies differs in its focus, style, and level of detail. This book’s focus is almost entirely on the practical issues of food allergy management, with little mention of “medical” or emotional issues. I teach parents how to handle common situations (such as shopping for groceries or taking a preschooler to a birthday party) and warn them of dangers they may not have thought of (such as food residue on their guests’ hands). The book is written as a series of short, easy-to-read tips, illustrated with numerous checklists, real-life anecdotes, and sample forms. But one of the main differences between this book and others on the market is its level of detail. For example, whereas other books might have a paragraph reminding parents to meet with school personnel to discuss creating a safe school environment, How to Manage provides a 6-1/2-page checklist of issues to address at that meeting – as part of a 25-page chapter on “School and Day Care.”

Q. What are the most common issues that parents face in caring for a child with life-threatening food allergies?

A. A diagnosis of life-threatening food allergies affects almost every aspect of the family’s life. After the parents have learned the basics of how to keep their child safe, one of the biggest challenges is often that of getting all the other adults in the child’s life (such as relatives, friends, and caretakers) “on board” the food allergy management team. Many people refuse to believe the seriousness of the diagnosis, and may even do things that are potentially harmful, such as offer the child allergenic food.

Other issues depend on the child’s age. The biggest challenges in caring for a severely food-allergic toddler usually revolve around a toddler’s innate need to put everything within reach into his mouth. As the child gets older the parents must gain the cooperation of school personnel in creating a safe school environment. For teenagers, the biggest issues tend to be with social and peer group issues. Regardless of the child’s age, parents face challenges in their family’s home and social life, and ability to dine in restaurants and travel.

Q. Should children read this book with their parents?

A. No. This is not a children’s book, and it is not appropriate for children. There are a number of books available which explain food allergies to young children.

Q. Have you ever been in a life-threatening allergic reaction situation with one of your children?

A. Aside from the reaction that my son Jason had as a baby which eventually led to his diagnosis, his most severe reaction has been in a “test” situation at the doctor’s office. In that situation, Jason’s throat began to close up within 3 minutes of ingesting the equivalent of a tiny fraction of an egg! Knowing just how extraordinarily sensitive Jason is, we have been extremely careful all of his life. By following the advice which I present here in this book, we have avoided most accidental exposures to allergens.

Q. Have you written any other books?

A. Yes. I have also written What’s to Eat? The Milk-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free Food Allergy Cookbook, which contains over 145 original recipes for dairy-, egg-, and nut-free foods.

Q. Where can people buy your books?

A. My books are available at www.FoodAllergyBooks.com as well as at various other online and bricks-and-mortar retailers throughout the country.

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