Many Restaurant Staff Are Undertrained and Misinformed About Food Allergies, Study Finds

A new study reveals that there is no association between a restaurant worker's knowledge of food allergy and his or her confidence in being able to provide a safe meal to a food allergic customer. Allergic reactions can cause a wide variety of symptoms, the most serious being anaphylaxis, which can cause death. In one out of three restaurant kitchens, common food allergens (e.g. eggs, peanuts, wheat, milk, nuts, fish) were not separated from other foods. One in five staff members thought that an allergic customer consuming a small amount of allergen would be safe, as would removing the allergen from a finished meal (e.g. picking the nuts off a pre-prepared desert would render it safe for a nut-allergic customer to eat). Only one third of respondents had received any sort of food allergy training, but nonetheless 80% reported confidence in providing a safe meal for their food-allergic customers. "Diners who are food allergic must remain vigilant and not assume restaurants are safe or that all staff are knowledgeable about food allergy. Our survey supports the need for more rigorous and accessible training if food-allergic customers are to avoid being put at risk by dining out.". . read more.

Childhood Eczema and Hay Fever Leads to Adult Allergic Asthma, Study Finds

Children who have eczema, particularly when occurring with hay fever, are nine times more likely to develop allergic asthma in their 40s, a new study reveals. According to the authors, "The implications of this study are that prevention and rigorous treatment of childhood eczema and hay fever may prevent the persistence and development of asthma.". . read more.

Allergies Can Increase the Risk of Depression

Spring always brings a rash of sneezing, sniffling and stuffy noses. But can seasonal allergies be psychologically harmful? A wave of emerging research suggests that may be the case. While there’s no firm evidence that allergies cause depression, large studies show that allergy sufferers do seem to be at higher risk of depression. . read more.

Faces of Allergies and Asthma on Times Square

The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) take on asthma and allergies in Times Square! We're telling the story on the CBS Super Screen at 42nd Street. While people with allergies and asthma don't look so different on the outside, they have serious health issues that impact every aspect of their lives. . watch the video

Spring Allergy Sufferers: Be Wary of Treatment Myths

Knowing fact from fiction can make the difference between misery and relief for millions of spring allergy sufferers. “People often sneeze and wheeze through spring if they use misinformation to manage their condition,” said allergist Myron Zitt, M.D., past president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). “But no one should suffer from spring allergies. Knowing the facts, getting a proper diagnosis and the right treatment allows allergy patients to feel good all season long.” The ACAAI – whose allergist members specialize in treating allergies and asthma – dispels several common spring allergy myths. . read more.