This week we will highlight on clinical pearls and evidence-based advice on what to do if a peanut allergic patient has casual exposure to peanut. Being near peanut butter can trigger a reaction. Ingestion is the primary trigger for significant reactions and peanut protein does not aerosolize in significant amounts from peanut butter or undisturbed peanut.Being touched by peanut can trigger a reaction. Again, ingestion as the primary trigger of significant reactions. Contact reactions may lead to no symptoms or localized ones such as a rash that often resolves when the area is washed off (exception may be direct eye exposure...

Recently the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology published a great article with common sense, evidence-based advice that all allergists should be discussing with their food allergy patients. This week we will highlight improving safety at restaurants/food establishments. High-risk establishments include ice cream parlors, bakeries, and Asian restaurants. Avoid these places or use additional instructions to staff to reduce risk. Have food prepared specifically for the patient, taking into consideration cross-contact and hidden ingredientsDesserts, sauces are higher risk. Avoid these unless safety can be confirmed.Restaurant personnel are often not educated about food allergy. Educate while informing. For example, instead of saying:...

One of the best parts about preparing for my OIT presentation at the University of South Florida was learning about the history of OIT. I hope you are as amazed as I was at this timeline. – Dr. Ly 500 AD- the ancient Babylonian Talmud has instructions for treating egg sensitivity with egg white.1905- Finkelstein conceptualizes OIT – He successfully desensitizes nurslings with “milk idiosyncrasy” by gradually administering increasing drops of milk.1908- Schofield treats a 13-year-old patient with egg allergy over an 8-month period by incrementally increasing small amounts of raw egg disguised in pill form.1911- Noon & Freeman start Allergy...

Happy holidays from Windom Allergy! We are truly grateful to be a part of your lives. We cherish the trust you have in us in keeping you and your loved ones safe and healthy. Here are some food allergy tips to navigate the holiday parties. If you are planning on hosting please consider the following. Save the ingredient labels for an allergic guest. They may feel more comfortable double-checking the ingredient list.If your guests ask to contribute, suggest food alternatives such as flowers, or holiday-themed dinnerware.Use a natural turkey or meat. For example, Pre-basted turkeys may contain top allergens such as...

Dr. Windom was on the Sunday program at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology in Seattle.  His lecture on food oral immunotherapy (OIT) was part of a program presented by Dr. Robert Wood from Johns Hopkins and Dr. Wesley Burks from the University of North Carolina.  The ACAAI meeting is held each fall, attracting allergist/immunologists from the United States and abroad. www.acaai.org

Windom Allergy continues to be at the forefront of treating food allergy patients with oral immunotherapy (OIT). Dr. Windom published an article about the current status of OIT in the United States in the September issue of the Annals of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. The article reported on the collaboration of allergists offering OIT as discussed at their 1st annual meeting in 2017. The group met again in the summer of 2018, at which Drs. Ly and Fergeson lectured on “Initiating Peanut OIT in Children under Four Years Old. https://www.annallergy.org/article/S1081-1206(18)30483-6/fulltext

Food allergies aren’t just a kid thing.  A recent Northwestern University study out of Chicago showed 45% of food allergies in adults began during adulthood. https://www.healio.com/internal-medicine/allergy-asthma-immunology/news/online/%7B0fb00b5a-fc15-4cf0-9d63-eb8c45976387%7D/many-food-allergic-adults-develop-a-new-food-allergy-in-adulthood?utm_source=selligent&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=internal%20medicine%20news&m_bt=2189352409594

Thanksgiving is upon us and we hope to keep all of our food allergy patients safe and healthy this holiday season! If you are planning on hosting the perfect Thanksgiving meal please consider the following. 1. Save the ingredient labels for an allergic guest. They may feel more comfortable double-checking the ingredient list.2. If your guests ask to contribute, suggest food alternatives such as flowers, or holiday-themed dinnerware.3. Use a natural turkey. Pre-basted turkeys may contain top allergens such as soy, wheat, and dairy4. Be careful of cross contamination. Don’t mix utensils while preparing dishes and wipe down surface areas with...

Turkey Breast Roast with Pancetta-Infused Mashed PotatoesFor turkey, combine 3 cups water with the onion, salt, sugar, peppercorns, chili flakes and mustard seeds in a small pot over high heat. Bring to a boil and cook 5 …https://www.allergicliving.com/recipes/turkey-breast-roast-pancetta-infused-mashed-potatoes/  Butternut Pasta with Sage Cream Sauce – Allergic LivingLook for precut squash in the produce section. If short on time, squash cubes can be steamed 10 minutes, or until tender, rather than roasted.https://www.allergicliving.com/recipes/butternut-pasta-with-sage-cream-sauce/     Gluten-Free Baked Stuffing – Allergic LivingMakes: 8-10 servings Free of: gluten and top allergens (for dairy-free, use canola oil) From Cooking for your Gluten-Free Teen: Everyday Foods the Whole Family will …https://www.allergicliving.com/recipes/gluten-free-baked-stuffing/     Classic...

This November we would like to take the time to spotlight Gwen Goodacre. She has been gracious enough to give us some yummy recipes that are Dairy, Egg and Nut Free! Let’s all give a big round of applause to this bright young girl! Gwen has had food allergies to dairy, egg, and tree-nuts since birth. Though she has many allergies, she and her family have found many recipes and ways to overcome her allergies. Currently Gwen is working on creating a non-profit to advocate and accommodate food allergies in schools and restaurants. Her business will create training and presentations to...