Food allergy is the new epidemic of the 21st century, and the rise in incidence among kids is alarming. This information-packed book was written by a food allergy mom, a psychologist, and a physician expert in the field of food allergies. It is a comprehensive source of practical knowledge for parents, teachers, caregivers, and others who are concerned about food allergies and want to know how best to treat them. The chapters clarify which food allergy treatments are grounded in modern medicine, and provide practical information on the treatment methods that are currently available. It is a balanced, sympathetic, highly informative, and non-judgmental guide to treatment options for individuals suffering from food allergies, written in a way that cuts through the jargon and uses language that everyone can understand.

Allergy is the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the United States. More than fifty million Americans suffer from allergies, and they spend an estimated $18 billion coping with them. Yet despite advances in biomedicine and enormous investment in research over the past fifty years, the burden of allergic disease continues to grow. Why have we failed to reverse this trend? Breathing Space offers an intimate portrait of how allergic disease has shaped American culture, landscape, and life. Drawing on environmental, medical, and cultural history and the life stories of people, plants, and insects, Mitman traces how America’s changing environment from the late 1800s to the present day has led to the epidemic growth of allergic disease. We have seen a never-ending stream of solutions to combat allergies, from hay fever resorts, herbicides, and air-conditioned homes to numerous potions and pills. But, as Mitman shows, despite the quest for a magic bullet, none of the attempted solutions has succeeded. Until we address how our changing environment—physical, biological, social, and economic—has helped to create America’s allergic landscape, that hoped-for success will continue to elude us.

The emergence of springtime is now dreaded by more people every year, and increasingly, all year long. More of us are faced with allergies and hay fever with each passing year. Why are so many people suffering from allergies and hay fever—medically called allergic rhinitis—and why is the condition affecting more of us each year? And what causes allergies and hay fever? And more importantly, how can we find allergy relief? What kinds of strategies can we employ for hay fever relief? What about natural hay fever medicines? Or natural allergy medicines? And can we do anything to reverse allergies and hay fever? Drawing from hundreds of studies and research papers and centuries of natural medicine remedy applications, the mysteries about allergies and hay fever are solved. Safe and proven natural strategies to reverse allergic rhinitis and its underlying issues are described in detail. These include inexpensive solutions that come with clinical evidence, along with applications that health professionals can employ in their practices. Whether health providers, allergy sufferers or their families, this text is a necessary reference for those wishing to solve the riddle of allergic rhinitis. (Note: Some technical scientific language is used to describe and reference scientific studies. Lay readers can skim these areas and still understand the concepts and strategies.)

The ABC of Allergies is a thorough and practical guide to the treatment and diagnosis of allergies. Now in its second edition, this fully revised and updated text contains information about all major allergies, including food allergies, adverse drug reactions, venom allergy, anaphylaxis and hay fever. Asthma, rhinitis and allergic skin and eye diseases are also covered in great depth and there are new chapters on latex allergy, allergy to local and general anaesthetic drugs and allergen immunotherapy.Written by internationally acclaimed experts, the ABC of Allergies will prove invaluable to general practitioners and practice nurses and will be a perfect reference for immunologists and basic scientists working in this area. It is also an ideal teaching resource.

Too many children are having allergic reactions and anaphylaxis at school, often as a result of a lack of preparation and understanding. Each reaction is traumatic for the student who experiences it, for those who witness it, and for school staff who treat the child in the throes of this life threatening event. This important and comprehensive book presents straightforward information and recommendations for managing food allergies at school. Specifically covered are: ? A general overview of food allergies, including treatment and current research. ? A 3-Step Plan for school food allergy management. ? The process involved to develop a school district life threatening allergy policy. ? A thorough explanation of the laws that protect food-allergic students. ? The emotional impact of food allergies, including recommendations to support healthy coping strategies for the child and family. ? Practical tools, such as an Individual Healthcare Plan form, and a template for Recommended Standards for School Food Allergy Management. ? Highlighted excerpts written by parents and professionals offering their insights and experiences with food allergies. This book is required reading for parents and school personnel who are faced with the challenge of keeping children with food allergies safe at school.