For seven-year-old Leandro de Armas, every meal has to be carefully planned ahead, which includes religiously reading every label. At restaurants his parents present a card that goes to the chef stating every ingredient he needs to avoid.
Leandro is allergic to all peanuts (which are legumes), tree nuts and peas. His first reaction happened before he turned two. His mother Arlene thought it was a stomach virus.
“That reaction involved him vomiting and he somewhat passed out,” she recalled.
During his second reaction, he started wheezing and his ears became very swollen and red. His parents were surprised when his allergy was diagnosed, because there is no family history. Now, his parents and teacher have emergency kits always on hand that contain Epi pens – injectable epinephrine.
“Studies show kids not treated immediately with epinephrine a lot of times can have a fatal reaction,” said Dr. Jo Reed, an allergist and immunologist at Miami Children’s Hospital. She has noticed an increase in the number of young patients with food allergies that can be serious.
“So you body is feeling like this is something that is foreign, so your body in generic terms is in attack mode.”
You can become allergic to any food at any time. Symptoms to look out for: hives, itchy rash, swelling, abdominal cramps, vomiting, shortness of breath, fainting.
“Studies show kids not treated immediately with epinephrine a lot of times can have a fatal reaction,” said Dr. Jo Reed, an allergist and immunologist at Miami Children’s Hospital. She has noticed an increase in the number of young patients with food allergies that can be serious.
“So you body is feeling like this is something that is foreign, so your body in generic terms is in attack mode.”
You can become allergic to any food at any time. Symptoms to look out for: hives, itchy rash, swelling, abdominal cramps, vomiting, shortness of breath, fainting.
Leandro is hoping to raise awareness as the national child ambassador for the FAAN – Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network.
There is a fundraising walk coming up in November. To find out more go to www.foodallergy.org.
There is a fundraising walk coming up in November. To find out more go to www.foodallergy.org.
