The FDA Just Approved a New Peanut Allergy Treatment for Kids

by Jennifer SwartvagherFebruary 5, 2020

While it’s not a cure, parents of children with peanut allergies may be able to gain a little piece of mind thanks to a new drug aimed to help reduce severity of allergic reactions.

On Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Palforzia, which can be used by children ages 4 through 17 to help increase their tolerance to small quantities of peanuts and decrease the risk of a reaction in case of accidental exposure.

Allergy sufferers will still need to avoid all peanut products, but this new drug marks a positive step towards preventing severe and even fatal symptoms.

“Peanut allergy affects approximately 1 million children in the U.S. and only 1 out of 5 of these children will outgrow their allergy. Because there is no cure, allergic individuals must strictly avoid exposure to prevent severe and potentially life-threatening reactions,” said Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, in a press release.

The drug comes in powder form which can be mixed into foods such as applesauce or pudding for easier dosing.

“Even with strict avoidance, inadvertent exposures can and do occur. When used in conjunction with peanut avoidance, Palforzia provides an FDA-approved treatment option to help reduce the risk of these allergic reactions in children with peanut allergy,” said Marks.

Even trace amounts of peanuts can cause allergic reactions including hives, digestive problems, and constricted airways.

The FDA noted that Palforzia is not to be used for emergency treatment in cases of anaphylaxis.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo courtesy of Vladislav Nikonav via Unsplash.

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American Airlines Will Now Carry Auvi-Q Epinephrine Auto-Injectors

by Erica LoopDecember 2, 2019

Flying with a food allergy just got safer. Kaléo, the makers of Auvi-Q auto-injectors, recently reported that the company’s epinephrine pens are now included in American Airlines’ emergency medical kits.

The pen-filled kits, which are now on-board AA’s main fleet, are a step up from the syringe and vile versions the airline (and other airlines) previously stocked.

photo: Johannes Rapprich via Pexels

Kaléo’s general manager of allergy and pediatrics, Omar Khalil, told Allergic Living, “My understanding is when American Airlines was renewing its contract and emergency medical kit options, Auvi-Q was presented to them as a way to both enhance the components of their emergency medical kits and also as a means to be ready for an [anaphylaxis] situation that could take place in the air.”

The recent collab between Kaléo, AA and emergency medical kit distributors HealthFirst and MedAire means the airlines’ almost-900 planes will have Auvi-Q 0.3 mg and Auvi-Q 0.15 mg auto-injectors.

Along with AA, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines also carry Auvi-Q auto-injectors. If you’re wondering when other airlines will get on-board with this potentially life-saving change, Khalil added, “According to our distributors, they are also in dialogue with a number of other major airlines.”

—Erica Loop

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The Skies Just Got Friendlier to Fly for Kids with Food Allergies

by Erica LoopJune 26, 2019

Flying with kids isn’t easy. Add on a food allergy and you have a whole other set of problems. And that’s exactly why one mom filed a game-changing complaint with the federal Department of Transportation.

In 2016 a gate agent for American Airlines refused Nicole Mackenzie’s pre-boarding request. According to the New York Times, the mom of a seven-year-old with life-threatening nut and seed allergies, wanted time to properly clean her child’s seating area. When Mackenzie wasn’t allowed to pre-board, she filed a formal complaint with the D.O.T.

photo: Anugrah Lohiya via Pexels

Nearly three years later the D.O.T. regulators found that American Airlines had violated the Air Carrier Access Act. But luckily for anyone with a life-threatening food allergy, the airline has already made some pretty significant changes!

Following a D.O.T. complaint by food allergy advocacy group FARE in 2017, American Airlines changed its previous pre-boarding policy. As of Dec. 12, 2018 American Airlines began allowing passengers with peanut and tree nut allergies (or the adults traveling with them) to pre-board. Like Mackenzie wanted to do, parents are now free to wipe down seats and tray tables prior to the child getting on the plane. FARE’s CEO, Lisa Gable, told Allergic Living, “Anytime a company takes steps to address the needs of people with food allergies, we are pleased.”

If you’re wondering why pre-boarding policies are so important, consider what life is like for a child with serious food allergies. Leftover peanut, tree nut or other allergen residue can put the child into anaphylaxis. This potentially fatal condition is scary enough as is. But tens of thousands of feet into the air—the reaction may become unmanageable.

Thanks to American Airlines’ pre-boarding policy (other airlines such as Delta and JetBlue also have similar policies), parents can take some comfort in getting the chance to reduce potential contamination before the child ever reaches their seat.

—Erica Loop

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Zucchini Bread

by scott wardellJune 20, 2012

Simple, healthy, allergy-free, and delicious, this Zucchini bread has just the right amount of sweetness. This is perfect for breakfast, snack time, or anytime! Have the kiddos help too–they’ll love mixing the wet & dry ingredients together. We dare you to just eat one piece.

Ingredients:
3 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

2 cups granulated sugar

2 cups grated zucchini
(from 2-3 small zucchini)

2 teaspoons vanilla

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Method:
1. Beat eggs until light and foamy; add vegetable oil, sugar, zucchini and vanilla. Mix lightly but blend thoroughly.

2. Mix together flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon; mix lightly.

3. Add dry ingredients to first mixture, stirring to blend.

4. Pour batter into two loaf pans, 9×5×3-inches in size.

5. Bake at 325° for 50 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted near center of a loaf comes out clean. Cool and serve.

Makes two loaves.

Mireille Schwartz is a Member of the Board of Directors for Washington D.C. based FAAN (Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network), the world’s largest leading non-profit allergy resource. On the San Francisco Homefront, Mireille is CEO of the Bay Area Allergy Advisory Board, promoting education, awareness, and provide no-cost medical care & medication to Bay Area families with severely allergic children. An expert contributor and regularly featured columnist for CNN Health, ABC7 News and Allergic Living Magazine, Mireille Schwartz has an innate understanding that food is everywhere, and our relationship to food needs to be healthy if we are to stay healthy.

ML Interest Tag: anaphylaxis

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