Playing After-School sports
by Alexander
August 28, 2009
Dear Alexander,
(Q) My friends are playing after-school sports. I’d like to play with them, but how can I stay safe when there will be so many different people around me?
(A) You need to be prepared and to tell everyone about your food allergies. Talk about your situation with the coach. Your parents will want to talk to your doctor to get advice, so they can pass this advice and their knowledge on to the coach. The coach should know whether or not it is possible for you to play safely.
Once you’re playing, you’ll always want to have epinephrine on the sidelines, and you should make sure that there is an adult present who can use it at all times. Bring your own snacks and water. Luckily, in sports, snacks are usually eaten only at the end of the game.
Good luck!
Your friend
Alexander Elephant
Editor’s Note: The information above is not designed to take the place of a doctor’s instructions. Patients are urged to contact a doctor for specific information regarding guidelines for care.
We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Source: Food Allergy
Starting Kindergarten
by Alexander
August 22, 2009
Dear Alexander,
(Q) I am going into kindergarten this year. My mom has always watched out for me, but now I’ll be in school without her. I am allergic to peanuts and tree nuts, and I am scared of not having my mom with me to make sure I don’t get a reaction. What do I do?
(A) I am sure you have been taught many things by your mom about taking care of your food allergies, such as not to eat any food except for the food that she or another trusted adult says is okay. You know to clean your eating area and wash your hands before and after you eat, and to ask questions about food ingredients.
Each year, thousands of kids who have food allergies go to school, but it takes some work from parents and the people who work at the school to come up with a plan for how food allergies will be taken care of. You can get involved, too, by teaching your new classmates about food allergies and why it’s important for you to be careful about what you eat.
Remember the teacher, nurse, and all of the people who work at the school are there to help you stay safe. If you have a question, or if you don’t feel good after eating, tell them right away. Also, be sure to talk to your parents about how you are feeling. They will help you so that you do not feel scared.
Good luck!
Your friend,
Alexander the Elephant
Editor’s Note: The information above is not designed to take the place of a doctor’s instructions. Patients are urged to contact a doctor for specific information regarding guidelines for care.
We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Source: Food Allergy
Getting ready for school
by Alexander
August 12, 2009
Dear Alexander,
(Q) How do you get ready for the beginning of the school year?
(A) Well, I do what almost everyone does. First, I talk to my doctor. He knows if there’s anything special that I should do, and he reminds me of steps I may have forgotten.
Next, I talk to my teacher before the school year starts. If it’s a teacher I’ve never met before, I tell her about my food allergies and why I can’t have any peanuts. If it’s a teacher I’ve had before, I just double-check to make sure he remembers about my food allergies.
Then I talk to the school nurse. I make sure she knows where my medicine is kept, and I give her a copy of my Food Allergy Action Plan. That way, I can be sure that she will know what to do if I have a reaction.
Last, I talk to my parents. I help my mom bake a supply of safe treats for parties at school, and we check to make sure all my prescriptions are current. Once I do all of this, I get some paper and pencils – to take notes with!
Good luck!
Your friend,
Alexander the Elephant
Editor’s Note: The information above is not designed to take the place of a doctor’s instructions. Patients are urged to contact a doctor for specific information regarding guidelines for care.
We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Source: Food Allergy
Starting Kindergarten
by Alexander
August 7, 2009
Dear Alexander,
(Q) I am going into kindergarten this year. My mom has always watched out for me, but now I’ll be in school without her. I am allergic to peanuts and tree nuts, and I am scared of not having my mom with me to make sure I don’t get a reaction. What do I do?
(A) I am sure you have been taught many things by your mom about taking care of your food allergies, such as not to eat any food except for the food that she or another trusted adult says is okay. You know to clean your eating area and wash your hands before and after you eat, and to ask questions about food ingredients.
Each year, thousands of kids who have food allergies go to school, but it takes some work from parents and the people who work at the school to come up with a plan for how food allergies will be taken care of. You can get involved, too, by teaching your new classmates about food allergies and why it’s important for you to be careful about what you eat.
Remember the teacher, nurse, and all of the people who work at the school are there to help you stay safe. If you have a question, or if you don’t feel good after eating, tell them right away. Also, be sure to talk to your parents about how you are feeling. They will help you so that you do not feel scared.
Good luck!
Your friend,
Alexander the Elephant
Editor’s Note: The information above is not designed to take the place of a doctor’s instructions. Patients are urged to contact a doctor for specific information regarding guidelines for care.
We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Source: Food Allergy
Older brother
by Alexander
July 24, 2009
Dear Alexander,
My older brother doesn’t have any allergies, but I am allergic to milk. He is usually pretty good about it, but sometimes when his friends come over, they make jokes about it. How can I deal with this?
Wow, this can be a tough situation. Sometimes older brothers or sisters act differently around their friends. When your brother is not around his friends, talk to him and let him know how this makes you feel. Older brothers usually like to help out and protect their younger brothers and sisters. Ask your brother to tell his friends that food allergies are nothing to laugh about. Some kids tease because they don’t understand food allergies and what it’s like to have one. He can teach his friends a lot, and that helps you to stay safe.
If they are still being mean, then go to a different room, and then they won’t bother you any more. Make sure to let your parents know about the jokes.
Good luck!
Your friend,
Alexander the Elephant
Editor’s Note: The information above is not designed to take the place of a doctor’s instructions. Patients are urged to contact a doctor for specific information regarding guidelines for care.
We would like to know what you Think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Source: Food Allergy
Safe Food Parties
By Alexander
July 13, 2009
Dear Alexander,
Sometimes my friends want to try my food, but I only have enough for me. So I want to have a safe food party for all my friends! How can I do this?
That sounds like a great idea!
You should talk to your parents first. Make sure that it’s OK to have a party. If they say yes, then figure out what foods you want to have. Party foods are a good way to go.
Cooking the safe food with your friends might be a good idea. That way, they will see just how similar your food is to theirs.
Try this idea: After making some cupcake batter, you and your friends can play games while the cupcakes bake – and then you can take a break with a great treat. Be sure to have lots of activities planned. You don’t want to be cooking all day!
Good luck!
Your friend,
Alexander the Elephant
Editor’s Note: The information above is not designed to take the place of a doctor’s instructions. Patients are urged to contact a doctor for specific information regarding guidelines for care.
We would like to know what you think? And is there a question that you have for Alexander. dan@youngchronicle.com
Source: Food Allergy
Grandparents
By Alexander
July 11, 2009
Dear Alexander,
(Q) We are going on a big road trip this summer to see my grandparents. The last time I saw my grandma and grandpa, they sort of brushed off my milk allergy even though my mom always tells them how important it is. Can you help me figure out what to say to my grandparents so that they’ll understand?
(A) Sometimes grandparents do not understand much about food allergies because when they grew up, they did not know anyone who had a food allergy. An easy way to help them to understand is to bring them FAAN’s DVD, One Bite Is All It Takes! You and your parents can ask them to sit down and watch the DVD with you. After it is over, invite them to ask you questions about your food allergy. You can educate them right in their own living room! Remind them that there were not very many people with food allergies when they were growing up, but that things have changed. Tell them about some of your friends or people you know at school who have food allergies (or about all the kids who visit this website!), and what each of you needs to do to stay safe. Ask them for ways to help you stay safe, too.
Good luck!
Your friend,
Alexander
Source: Food Allergy Neywork
Editor’s Note: The information above is not designed to take the place of a doctor’s instructions. Patients are urged to contact a doctor for specific information regarding guidelines for care.
We would like to know what you think? And is there a question that you have for Alexander. dan@youngchronicle.com
Alexander’s Summer Word Find
By Alexander
June 30, 2009
Editor’s Note: Hey, kids! Alexander the Elephant needs your help finding these words that are related to food allergies and summertime in general!
We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Sunscreen
Milk
Popsicle
Anaphylaxis
Lemonade
Swimming
Heat
Water
Epinephrine
Peanut
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Remember to check the ingredients on sunscreens and lotions for allergens!
Source: Faankids
Allergies at camp
By Alexander
June 22, 2009
Dear Alexander,
(Q) The school year is about to finish and I’ll be going to a soccer camp during the summer where no one knows anything about my allergy to milk and eggs. My school teachers and classmates were so great with my food allergies, but now I have to start all over. I almost don’t want to say anything, but I know my parents will be sitting down to talk with the coach about what I can and can’t eat for snacks. Do I really have to tell the other kids in the camp?
(A) As you get older, it is harder to tell other people about your food allergy. However, this is the time that it is most important. Everyone is new at the camp, and everyone is getting to know one another. There will be food at camp, so you should find one or two friends whom you will be spending a lot of time with that you can talk to about food allergies. You don’t need to announce it to the world, but having a few people around you who know what foods you should avoid and how they can help if you have a reaction is a smart thing to do. You’ll be setting up a safe network of people, just like the one you have at school right now.
Remember, food allergies do not define who you are. They are just a small part of you that others need to know about so they can help you stay safe.
Good luck!
Your friend,
Alexander
Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchrionicle.com
Source: Faan Kids
Playing after-school sports
By Alexander
May 24, 2009
Dear Alexander,
My friends are playing after-school sports. I’d like to play with them, but how can I stay safe when there will be so many different people around me?
You need to be prepared and to tell everyone about your food allergies. Talk about your situation with the coach. Your parents will want to talk to your doctor to get advice, so they can pass this advice and their knowledge on to the coach. The coach should know whether or not it is possible for you to play safely.
Once you’re playing, you’ll always want to have epinephrine on the sidelines, and you should make sure that there is an adult present who can use it at all times. Bring your own snacks and water. Luckily, in sports, snacks are usually eaten only at the end of the game.
Good luck!
Your friend,
Alexander
Source: Faan Kids