EAACI: Food allergies in children cause anxiety and loneliness, have dramatic impact on their quality of life
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European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) /
EAACI: Food allergies in children cause anxiety and loneliness, have dramatic
impact on their quality of life
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Zurich/Venice, 21 February 2011 - Children who are allergic to food are found to
be suffering from anxiety and are increasingly more lonely; One allergic child
out of five never attends peers' parties, while one in four always brings along
"safe" food.
The burden of food allergies and the risk they can escalate to life-threatening
diseases is particularly heavy on children, whose normally active and sociable
lifestyle can be severely limited and frustrated by the effort to keep them away
from potentially dangerous food. According to a study presented at the 2011 Food
Allergy and Anaphylaxis Meeting by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical
Immunology (EAACI), held Feb 17-19 in Venice, Italy, 23 percent of allergic
children are no longer curious to try new food to vary their diet, considered
too monotonous by most of them. A child out of ten also gives up crucial
physical activity for fear of anaphylactic shock triggered by exercise.
"About 17 percent of allergic children, regardless of their age, never go to a
party or a picnic with friends, while 24 percent are forced to bring along
something to eat," says Prof. Maria Antonella Muraro, Chair of the EAACI
Meeting. The study, headed by Prof. Muraro, was carried out by the Center for
the study and treatment of allergies and food intolerances at the hospital of
the University of Padua, Italy on 107 young patients and their mothers.
"Also, 5 to 15 per cent of cases of anaphylactic shock can be triggered by
physical activity following the consumption of small amounts of allergenic food
that would otherwise be harmless, so one allergic child out of ten also stops
every kind of exercise," Prof. Muraro added. "Allergies are often downplayed as
a minor problem, but the life of an allergic person can be hell. Allergic
children show to be more afraid of being sick and a higher level of anxiety
about food than children with diabetes. The constant alarm surrounding them is
taking a toll on their development and well-being."
Another worrisome problem adding to the poor quality of life of allergic
patients, especially the younger ones, is the need to carry life-saving devices
at all times, such as epinephrine auto-injectors, "loaded" with enough drug to
prevent death in case of severe anaphylactic shock. They are easy to use, light
to carry and discreet, but one out of three patients still leaves home without
them.
"Within 8 or 10 minutes the shot reverses the symptoms, ranging from urticaria
to respiratory distress, cardiovascular collapse and gastrointestinal problems
including vomiting and diarrhoea," explains Prof. Muraro. "It can cause minor
side effects, such as irritability or tremors that end as soon as the adrenaline
is processed by the body, generally within a couple of hours. Patients should
not be scared, even those who have a heart disease: the possible side effects
are negligible in comparison to the opportunity to save your life."
EAACI has issued recommendations to prevent the spread of allergies in children,
encouraging mothers and family members who live with the child to stop smoking.
Eating fruits and vegetables, increasing the intake of antioxidants and vitamin
D is also supposed to provide further support in the prevention of allergic
diseases.
"The mechanisms of immuno-tolerance in human beings are still matter of research
although we are getting promising results. EAACI is committed in the next years
to devoting all necessary efforts to improve knowledge and raise awareness in
the field," says Prof. Cezmi Akdis, EAACI President-Elect.
"Double Allergy": 8.5 million Europeans are allergic to fruits, vegetables and
pollens
Hypersensitivity to pollens of trees such as birch, hazel or grasses that can
aggravate allergic reactions especially in spring is diagnosed in over 8.5
million people also allergic to food, showed research presented at the EAACI
Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Meeting. People suffering from a cross reaction
between food and pollen are often tormented by sneezing, tears, a burning
sensation on the tongue and swollen lips.
"Some of the proteins of trees' allergens are commonly found in other plant
species and the list of foods that cause a reaction with pollens extends
continuously," says Prof. Muraro. "Being allergic to peaches, apples, apricots
and plums often means not being able to tolerate birch pollen. Other plants that
are often causing problems include celery, fennel and soybeans as well as
tropical fruits such as avocado and passion fruit."
While peaches and apricots are responsible for a high number of allergic
reactions in Italy and Spain, apples are more likely to be a problem in France
and Germany. Plum is an issue in the UK, while celery and fennel make more
"victims" in Switzerland and Holland. The differences depend on the various
degrees of exposure to pollen or on dietary habits, but also on the diversity of
allergens found in fruits and vegetables in different countries.
Food Allergies and Yogurt: an unexpected help
Yogurt may be useful for the prevention and treatment of food allergies, shows
research presented at the EAACI Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Meeting.
"Probiotics have an effect on the immune system and restore optimal intestinal
flora," explains Prof. Susanne Halken, EAACI Pediatrics Section Chairperson.
"This may help the body to properly recognize the allergens, without triggering
a response to food that is, in itself, harmless. Moreover, lactic acid bacteria
have a well-known anti-inflammatory effect, which means that they can help ease
the symptoms of food allergies. Not all types of probiotics have been shown to
prevent or ease allergic symptoms though and beware that an effective dosage
would need to be much higher than what can be achieved simply by eating yogurt."
About EAACI:
EAACI - The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology is a non-profit
organisation active in the field of allergic and immunologic diseases such as
asthma, rhinitis, eczema, occupational allergy, food and drug allergy and
anaphylaxis. EAACI was founded in 1956 in Florence and has become the largest
medical association in Europe in the field of allergy and clinical immunology.
It includes 6'100 members from 107 countries, as well as 41 National Allergy
Societies.
Throughout 2011, EAACI will develop different activities to celebrate the 100th
anniversary of immunotherapy in Allergy, which will aim at increasing the
knowledge in this field among healthcare professionals, increase awareness in
the general population, and finally, promote the availability of immunotherapy
for allergic patients.
For further information:
EAACI Headquarters
Cristina Achiaga
Junior Communications Officer
Genferstrasse 21
8002 Zurich
Switzerland
Tel.: +41 44 205 55 33
Fax: +41 44 205 55 39
Mobile: +41 79 638 73 59
E-mail:cristina.achiaga(at)eaaci.net
Internet :www.eaaci.net
Antonella Muraro
FAAM 2011 Chair
Department of Pediatrics - University of Padua
Referral Centre for Food Allergy Diagnosis and Treatment
Via Giustiniani 3
35128 Padua
Italy
Tel.: +39 049 821 25 38
Fax: +39 049 821 80 91
Mobile: +39 335 77666 25
E-mail:cal(at)pediatria.unipd.it
Internet:www.centroallergiealimentari.eu
The press release can be downloaded from the following link:
--- End of Message ---
European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI)
Genferstrasse 21 Zurich Switzerland
Press release (PDF):
http://hugin.info/146478/R/1490777/426453.pdf
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Source: European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) via Thomson Reuters ONE
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Datum: 21.02.2011 - 09:00 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 51735
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