1. The most common allergens are found in some of the most common foods (milk, peanut butter, etc)

2. Kids are constantly surrounded by food allergens that are life-threatening to them (often being eaten by other children who leave crumbs and don’t wash their hands as well as adults)

3. For some children, even being near their food allergen (and breathing it in the air) can cause a life threatening reaction.

4. For other children, touching something their food allergen has also touched, then touching their face (wiping their nose, eating other food, etc) can also cause a life-threatening reaction.

5. Young children don’t often have the maturity/ability to take care of their own needs, especially in emergency situations.

6. Many kids with allergies (especially young children) don’t know how or often feel shy about communicating the initial signs of a life-threatening reaction.

7. Emergency epinephrine should be administered  right away, sometimes in as little as 5 minutes, of the onset of an anaphylactic reaction.  The average response time to have an EMT on scene after calling 911 is 10 minutes, requiring first aid treatment until the ambulance arrives.

8. Many kids develop food allergies when they are older and may experience their first life-threatening reaction (to a food they are already used to eating) while they are away from home and possibly away from their own parents.

9. 1 in 13 kids has a life threatening food allergy and the numbers are growing.

10. Food Allergies (especially in children) are a rising public health concern.

Want to help?  Stick around to find out more about how you can help keep kids with food allergies safe.  Then subscribe to our blog and join our social network so you don’t miss anything new!