Should we really worry about food allergies?

Some schools are taking severe precautions to assure there are no issues with food allergies. These can include having an "allergy section" of a cafeteria where students who have allergies need to sit. Other schools have banned certain foods in the entire school (often peanuts). Some schools have gone so far as to ban any food in the classroom (which is fine) INCLUDING coffee. From what I heard the teachers revolted a bit on this and eventually coffee was allowed in the classroom. 

Nonetheless, food allergies are a serious thing, and those of us lucky not to suffer from a food allergy are often rather ignorant. Hopefully this guest post (and infographic) help keep us aware.

Did you know that there are approximately 30,000 emergency room visits in the United States each year that are caused by food allergies?

Over half of the U.S. population tests positive to one or more food allergens, which is why it is important to get all of the information you can. This way, you can be aware of allergies your students may have and take precautions to avoid allergy attacks.

A food allergy or hypersensitivity is an abnormal response to a food that is triggered by your immune system. Common allergies are to nuts, shellfish, dairy and eggs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can range from an itching in your mouth and difficulty swallowing to nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Be sure to ask parents about what food their child needs to avoid and and how you can respond quickly if a reaction occurs.

You can learn more about food allergies and see statistics in the infographic here.

Created by the team at Sticky Jewelry.