Allergy & Asthma News

Our New Winter Newsletter for 2015 is now available. Click on the link below to check it out.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/bullied-winnipeg-teen-teaching-peers-about-food-allergies-1.2837297

Dr. Allan Becker, Professor of Allergy & Clinical Immunology at the University of Manitoba and

Director of the Children's Allergy & Asthma Education Centre (CAAEC), discusses the signs and

symptoms of anaphylactic reactions, and what to do in the case of an anaphylactic reaction.

Anaphylaxis Canada is pleased to announce the launch of the online course “Anaphylaxis in Schools: What Educators Need to Know.” Developed by Anaphylaxis Canada in collaboration with Leap Learning Technologies Inc. and the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the new course focuses on the prevention, recognition, and management of anaphylaxis.

Available for free in English and French, the course uses best practices in instructional design and multimedia learning, incorporating graphics, audio narration, practice scenarios, and step-by-step visual guides to provide an engaging learning experience for teachers, administrators, and other school staff.

The bilingual course is available now at www.allergyaware.ca and we encourage you to share this link with your school and others to help protect students with potentially life-threatening allergies.

Ah, the Fall…back to school. The return to school brings many new exciting things….new shoes, new backpacks, new classroom, new friends. But every year, all over the world, one problem recurs…worsening asthma.

Many people know that asthma often seems worse in the fall. Some families can almost predict when their next trip to the doctor might be. They are not alone. Recent research has helped us predict when hospitals can expect an increase in doctor and emergency room visits because of asthma and what age the children are likely to be.

Two Canadian researchers have looked at the trends in emergency room visits and hospital admissions for asthma in several countries over 14 years. They found that in every country studied, asthma admissions were most frequent for school age children 18 days after the first day of school. Asthma admissions peaked 2 days later for pre-school children, and 6 days later for adults. School age children, particularly those 6 to 7 years old, seemed to get sick the earliest and be the most seriously ill.

The most important and most common cause of worsening asthma in both groups was getting a “cold”. Children with asthma who did not need a hospital visit were more likely to use their controller medicine on a regular basis, even during the summer.

The return to school occurs with an increase in allergens in the air, such as mold or weed pollen. However, it is being with other children and catching a cold that puts children with asthma most at risk. School age children get sick first, especially those starting school full-time for the first year. Those children then pass their colds along totheir younger brothers and sisters, and a few days later to their parents.

Children often have better asthma control in the summer and often stop using their controller medicine. This leaves them more likely to have their asthma worsen when they catch the viruses that are common by the third week of school. Children who use their controller medicine throughout the summer are less likely to have a severe asthma attack with the Fall season change.

So what can you do to protect your child from a serious asthma attack during the Fall season?

The best thing you can do is to be sure your child’s asthma is very well controlled throughout the summer and especially once school starts. To help prevent colds, teach your children to wash their hands frequently and to cover up a cough. Use the controller medicine as prescribed and look out for early warning signs of worsening asthma. Follow your Asthma Action Plan and respond quickly to early signs of worsening asthma. If you do not have an Asthma Action Plan, see your doctor to discuss what to do if asthma worsens.

The CAAEC had a special guest Alex Tagliani visit us and some families on Friday May 30, 2014. Alex is currently competing in the Nascar Canadian Tire Series driving the Tagliani Autosport Epipen #18 car. The Montreal native has shown his fans that he can drive anything. Alex always takes precautions when managing his life-threatening allergies to peanuts and tree nuts, which includes carrying his EpiPen® and states that living with food allergies is not something that holds him back in life, he's always ready for a challenge! http://www.summeroftag.com/index/about

Watch the Children's Allergy & Asthma Education Centre's Clinical Nurse Specialist, Cathy G. talk about Food Allergies and auto-injectors at the Teddy Bears' Picnic. Great job Cathy!

A Winnipeg allergic teen shares her tips on Food Allergies. Hannah has food allergies to peanuts and tree nuts. She is focused on raising awareness on Food Allergies.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/ekkjej-kjejheh-jehheh-jehheh-258858261.html

Scientists are attacking food allergies in new and inventive ways, driven by the alarming increase in the number of people, particularly children, who suffer from them - and can die from them. Click on the link below.

Studies are showing that it is safe and possible for peanut allergic individuals to develop a tolerance to peanuts. Researchers point out that the process of building tolerance is not yet perfected and must be done under the close supervision of trained health care professionals. However, recent research is providing hope that in the future, peanuts may pose less risk for those who are allergic. See the link below for the CBC news summary.

Anaphylaxis Canada created an app for teens and young adults at risk for anaphylaxis. This app includes allergy information, FAQ's and more. The app is available for the iPhone, Android and Blackberry devices. Choose below to access the app for your personal device. For more information about the app, click here.

Joint statement by the Canadian Pediatric Society and the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Babies who are at high risk of developing a food allergy can be exposed to potential food allergens as early as 6 months of age, according to a joint statement by the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) and Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (CSACI).

“Delaying dietary exposure to potential allergens like peanuts, fish or eggs will not reduce your child’s risk of developing a food allergy,” said Dr. Edmond Chan, paediatric allergist and co-author of the statement. “However, once a new food is introduced, it is important to continue to offer it regularly to maintain your child’s tolerance.”

Babies are considered at high risk of developing a food allergy if they have a parent or sibling with an allergic condition, such as atopic dermatitis, a food allergy, asthma or allergic rhinitis. The statement says that while these foods can be introduced to high-risk babies, the decision about when should be individualized and based on the parents’ comfort level. The CPS advises parents who are unsure to talk to their physician.

“We also don’t recommend avoiding milk, egg, peanut or other foods while pregnant or breastfeeding,” said Dr. Carl Cummings, co-author of the statement and chair of the CPS Community Paediatrics Committee. “There is no evidence to support the theory that avoiding certain foods during this time will prevent allergies in children.”

Food allergies affect approximately 7 per cent of Canadians. Some research suggests food allergy in babies is increasing, affecting over 10 per cent of one-year-olds.

Note: This refers to infants who have not yet developed a food allergy. Complete avoidance of the food remains crucial if the child has a confirmed allergy. Allergic children should always have immediate access to an epinephrine auto-injector to treat symptoms of anaphylaxis.

Click this link to read the complete position statement: http://www.cps.ca/documents/position/dietary-exposures-and-allergy-prevention-in-high-risk-infants

Dr. Allan Becker is interviewed about the CHILD study in a segment about his latest Research at the Children's Hospital of Winnipeg. Watch this episode of Doctors Care to learn more. For more information, visit the Doctor Manitoba website.

The Discovery Channel recently released a documentary narrated by Steve Carrell about the food allergy epidemic in America. Click the following link to watch the documentary.

CBC's Marcy Markusa recently interviewed Dr. Allan Becker about fruits and vegetables potentially causing serious reactions in individuals with seasonal allergies, find out more by clicking the link!

http://www.cbc.ca/player/AudioMobile/Information%2BRadio%2B-%2BMB/ID/2388307402/

New research shows that being born by C-section and being breastfed affects the bacteria fond in the baby’s gut. Some of these bacteria play an important role in the development of the immune system and possibly in the development of some diseases as children get older. Follow the links below to read more about these interesting findings.

Allergy & Asthma News

World Allergy Week 2015