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Food allergy clinics a test of faith for desperate families - Palo Alto Online
With oral immunotherapy, parents hope to save children from potentially fatal reactions
For families of children with food allergies, stepping outside each morning takes courage.
Every surface, every playground structure and every picnic table is a potential minefield. Young children's hands, seemingly innocuous foods and even the dirt on the ground are all suspect. Accidental exposure to allergens like peanuts can quickly turn into a life-or-death scenario and a trip to the emergency room.
This is the nerve-wracking reality for millions of families in the U.S. that have children with a food allergy -- more than one-third of them have a history of severe allergic reactions. And while the majority are told it's a life-long condition without a cure, more and more families are turning to a new treatment that's slowly gaining traction in the medical community.
With oral immunotherapy, parents hope to save children from potentially fatal reactions
For families of children with food allergies, stepping outside each morning takes courage.
Every surface, every playground structure and every picnic table is a potential minefield. Young children's hands, seemingly innocuous foods and even the dirt on the ground are all suspect. Accidental exposure to allergens like peanuts can quickly turn into a life-or-death scenario and a trip to the emergency room.
This is the nerve-wracking reality for millions of families in the U.S. that have children with a food allergy -- more than one-third of them have a history of severe allergic reactions. And while the majority are told it's a life-long condition without a cure, more and more families are turning to a new treatment that's slowly gaining traction in the medical community.