My Story
Introduction
Chapter 1: Preparing
For and Treating Severe Allergic Reactions
Recognizing and treating anaphylaxis • Using and caring for
EpiPens® • Calling the rescue squad • Your child’s medicine
pack • MedicAlert® bracelets
Chapter 2: Teaching
Others About Your Child’s Food Allergies
Expect disbelief • How to teach others to recognize and treat
allergic reactions • When others don’t take you seriously •
Do not endanger your child
Chapter 3: Grocery
Shopping
Know what ingredients to avoid • Always read the ingredient
statement • Ingredients to watch out for • Ingredients of non-food
items • The problem of food cross-contamination • “May Contain”
warnings • Calling the product’s manufacturer • Foods with high
risk of cross-contamination • Kosher labeling and dairy allergies
• Going to the grocery store
Chapter 4: Food In
Your Home
Make your home a "safe haven" • Introducing new products to
your child • Children often refuse to eat allergenic foods •
Always have a supply of “safe” food available • If you keep
both “safe” and “unsafe” foods in your home • Unexpected food
ingredients in non-food items
Chapter 5: Cooking
Menu planning • Avoiding cross-contamination • Serving peanut
butter in the home of a peanut-allergic child • Cooking with
dairy-free margarine • Substitutions for wheat flour and egg
• Why you should teach others how to prepare food for your child
Chapter 6: Parenting
Emotions • Get involved • Toddlers • Teaching your young child
about food allergies • Teaching an older child about food allergies
• Working with your teen or pre-teen • Other family members
• Hiring a babysitter • Food allergies and holiday celebrations
Chapter 7: Socializing
Having guests visit your home – maintaining your home as a “safe
haven” • Your child’s birthday parties • Socializing outside
of your home – working with your hosts to create a safe environment
• Other children’s birthday parties • Children’s play dates
• Emotional issues
Chapter 8: Outings
General things to keep in mind • Parks and playgrounds • Play
areas at fast food restaurants • Movie theatres • Amusement
parks • Museums and aquariums • Ball games
Chapter 9: Restaurants
Don’t assume a restaurant will be able to accommodate you •
Avoid busy times and holidays • High-risk situations • Assess
your child’s situation • Questions to ask the manager or chef
• Always inquire about ingredients • Avoid mix-ups and mistakes
• When in doubt, spit it out • Bringing food from home • Dealing
with contact sensitivity issues
Chapter 10: Travel
Things to pack when you travel • Traveling with others • Traveling
to rural or foreign areas • Eating while traveling – bringing
food; dining out; preparing food in standard hotel room; staying
in a room with a kitchen • Staying with friends or relatives
• Other vacation options – recreational vehicles; cruises •
Air travel in general – what to bring; what to wear; what flight
to book; where to sit; what to do if your child has a reaction
• Air travel for the peanut allergic – advance planning to minimize
risks; removing peanut residue from your child’s seat area
Chapter 11: Preschool
Finding an appropriate preschool for your child – getting organized;
what to look for; issues to address when speaking to school
directors • What your child will eat while at school • When
parents take turn bringing snacks • Food allergy books and videos
for preschoolers
Chapter 12: School
and Day Care
Before- and after-school daycare • Your child’s legal rights
• Talk to school personnel in advance of the school year – preparing
for the meeting; detailed checklist of things to address • Options
for creating a safe lunch environment • Helping the school personnel
to create a safe and healthy environment for your child – communication;
involvement; your child’s responsibilities; emergency preparation;
and more • Older children • Teasing • Carpools • College
Chapter 13: Extracurricular
Activities
Teach the adults in charge about your child’s food allergies
• You may need to be present • Children’s sports teams • Scouting
• Day camps • Sleepover camps and overnight school trips
Chapter 14: Miscellaneous
Medical Issues
Don’t do allergy testing at home • Dentists • Flu shots • Medications
• General anesthetics • Hospitalization • Doctors – red flags
• “Miracle cures”
Chapter 15: Food Allergy
Support Groups
Support group structure • Support group social events – parties,
baked goods exchanges, other activities • Compare pantry contents
• Children’s group therapy sessions • Starting and running a
support group
Appendices
Resources • Sample food allergy action plan form • “How to read
a label” information • Sample letters from your doctor to carry
when traveling • Sample restaurant card • Sample authorization
for consent to emergency medical treatment form • Sample letter
from the school principal • Sample allergy button artwork •
Sample support group announcement flyer • “Script” for contacting
food manufacturers • “Script” for calling the rescue squad •
Recipe for wheat-free play dough
Index
