UTAH FAAN Walk is October 8th!

Saturday, October 8^th at Wheeler Historic Farm, South Lawn 6351 South 900 East, Salt Lake City is the Annual FAAN Walk.  Registration starts at 11:00 am and the Walk begins at noon. 

The FAAN Walk is an awesome opportunity to help raise money for food allergy research and educational programs and to help raise community awareness...not to mention an exciting event to bring the family and friends to where everyone 'gets it' and the kids can play with no worries and make food allergy friends! There are lots of exciting things taking place on Walk day for everyone to participate in...Munchkin Radio will be there rockin' out, face painting, games, race cars, and lots more! 

 

We know many of our patients participate in this walk and we wish them all luck. Here is some more information about this from there website and click below for more info.

Because of the money we raised last year at the FAAN Walk, UFAN was able to apply for a community grant which helped fund the Utah Food Allergy Conference in June and we nominated a Utah school nurse who sits on the state board to attend the National Association of School Nurses Conference where she went to a special food allergy presentation by FAAN and brought the information back to other nurses in the state. 

UFAN would like to encourage everyone to create a team, tell your friends/family/neighbors/co-workers, raise as much money as you and your team members can, and then celebrate with us all at the Walk on Saturday October 8th!! You can also register as a 'virtual walker' to donate and fund raise without even being there!  

We need each one of you to make this year a success and we hope to be able to bring some of the money raised back to Utah to directly benefit you!

http://www.utahfoodallergy.org/

**Info from Michelle Fogg and UFAN

Allergy Season is here!

We have received many phone calls lately with parents concerned about allergies. This odd weather pattern has caused for an abnormal spring and allergies are here stronger than ever. Here are some quick tips about allergies and several links to find out more information on treatment.
Allergy describes a condition involving the immune system that causes sneezing and itching, chronic rashes, wheezing or even life threatening allergic reactions(AAP). The more you know about allergies, the symptoms, causes and treatments --the more prepared you will be to help your child.

FACTS
•Some 50 million Americans have allergies (about 1 in 5 people in this country).
•The most common type of allergy is hay fever (allergic rhinitis
•More than 17 million Americans have asthma, and about one-fourth of these are younger than 18 years. Asthma accounts for about 4,000 deaths a year.
•Seventy to 80% of school-aged children with asthma also have allergies, which are among the most common triggers for asthma, closely tied with viral respiratory infections.
•If one parent has allergies, there’s a 25% chance that a child will also be allergic. The risk is more than doubled to 60% to 70% if both parents have allergies.
Many aspects of allergies, eczema, and asthma still are not fully understood. But advances in the diagnosis and treatment of these disorders are helping millions of sufferers. (2011 AAP) Click here for the full article

What is an allergy?
An allergy is not a disease but a description of a way that the immune system reacts. Allergies happen when the part of the body that fights off illnesses overreacts to a usually harmless substance called an allergen that is breathed in, eaten, injected, or touched.

What causes allergies?
Pollen from trees, grasses, weeds, molds, dust mites, animal dander, foods or medicines and insect stings.

How can we tell the difference between Allergies or cold?
Allergies usually have these symptoms:
~itchy, runny nose with thin, clear nasal discharge and/or a stuffy nose.
~itchy watery eyes
~repeated sneezing and itching of the nose, eyes or skin that last for a few weeks or months
~no fever
~often seasonal symptoms
Cold symptoms usually have these symptoms:
~stuffy nose
~nasal discharge that is clear or colored and thick that last 3-10 days with or without a fever
~occasionally sneezing
~Feeling sick, tired or listless and having a poor appetite

How can you help your child?
Identifying and avoiding the things that your child is allergic to is best. If you child has an allergic condition try the following:
~Keep windows closed during the pollen season, especially on dry, windy days when pollen counts are higher
~Keep the house clean and dry to reduce mold and dust mites
~Avoid having pets and indoor plants
~Avoid those things that you know cause allergic reactions in your child
~Prevent anyone from smoking anywhere near your child, especially in your home or car
~See your pediatrician for safe and effective medicine that can be used to help alleviate or prevent allergy symptoms

Here are a few more links to websites that you may find helpful

http://www.kidsallergy.org/
http://www.healthychildren.org/
http://www.aap.org/healthtopics/asthma.cfm

**info from 2011 AAP Patient Information sheet
**Facts from healthychildren.org with link to full article

Allergies and Asthma: What Every Parent Needs to Know

Allergies and asthma often start in childhood and continue throughout life. Asthma is the most common chronic disorder in childhood, currently affecting about 6.2 million Americans under age 18. And 70 percent to 80 percent of school-aged children with asthma also have allergies. Although neither can be cured, with proper care allergies and asthma can usually be kept under control. The new book Allergies and Asthma: What Every Parent Needs to Know is an invaluable resource for parents and caregivers trying to cope with the challenges of childhood asthma and allergies. First published 10 years ago,(by the AAP) this well-organized guide covers such topics as
•Identifying allergies and asthma
•Preventing attacks
•Minimizing triggers and avoiding allergens
•Choosing medications wisely
•Explaining allergies to young children
•Helping children of all ages manage symptoms
•What to do if a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction or asthma attack occurs

Allergies and Asthma now provides updated information on allergies—including the latest findings on food allergies and treatments—along with new approaches for monitoring asthma control, with expanded recommendations for children. The second edition provides new guidance on medications, new recommendations on patient education in settings beyond the physician’s office, and new advice for controlling environmental factors that can cause asthma symptoms.

Being a mom of two children with asthma and allergies I already have ordered this book and can't wait to read it. We are not sponsoring this book, but wanted to give you some new information and tell you of a new resource available to parents. The doctors at Willow Creek approve recommendations from the AAP.
--Remember to schedule your yearly Asthma exam with your pediatrician and if you have any questions about this please feel free to call our office.
**info by AAP