Here are some of the tips that work for flying with food-allergic children.

1. Notify the airline ahead of your children’s food allergies. Most airlines now do not serve peanuts because it is one of the most allergenic and fatal food when inhaled. Those that do serve peanuts may have alternative snacks if you tell them ahead (24 hours ahead is the norm). Inquire about allergy-free food that your child can eat. This website has a list of airlines and the various allergen-free meals they offer.

2. Do your homework. Better yet, call the airlines you wish to fly with and ask about their food allergy practices, and don’t fly those that can not accommodate you.

3. Pick your flight time wisely. Most airlines get cleaned or vacuumed overnight, so flying early in the morning may lessen exposures to allergens. Not sure about the airline’s cleaning schedule? Call ahead and ask.

4. Inform the steward of your children’s food allergies upon boarding.

Even though airlines can and usually will accommodate your request for an allergy-free flight, they can not prevent other passengers from bringing unsafe foods, in particular peanuts, aboard. Politely ask the steward to make an announcement asking fellow passengers to refrain from eating snacks with allergenic ingredients.

5. Pack your own meals. Most airlines have allergen-free meals available on board, but in my experience, these food are not child-friendly, and usually do not cater to multiple allergies. I asked for a dairy-free, egg-free meal once for my daughter and myself, and we were given Indian food. We’re not too fond of curry, so I had to open a can of fruit and corn for both of us. We might not have to worry too much about airline food these days, with cost airlines getting rid of including meals in fares because of cost-cutting. So it just might work out to pack your meals or buy airport food.

6. Check airport procedures for traveling with medicine and food. At the height of the airport security checks on our trip to Italy, I had to open all the canned and packed food I hand-carried. I was devastated because half the food will have spoiled by the time we were over the Atlantic. It’s a little different now and airport security doesn’t open packaged food anymore. However, I would advice calling the airport ahead and checking their policy. Now with the Epipen (which is an injectable with needles), I carry a note from the doctor specifying what the medication is for and for whom. And I take it out of the hand carry at the x-ray area so security can properly check for it.

With advance preparation, flying with children, and those with food allergies, can be more pleasant tolerable.  Now if we can only get them to stay in their seats for four more hours…

images: flickr

Post from: Blisstree

Flying with food allergies

However a recent study has revealed heartbreaking news: Because a premature baby still has immature and uncoordinated facial muscles, the facial expressions may not accurately show the level of discomfort the infant is actually feeling. A pain response occurs in the brain, but not on the face.

What’s even more dramatic is this study that showed neonates in intensive care units who undergo painful procedures rarely receive analgesia! This practice is so callous given that sensitivity to pain is highest in the first four weeks of life.

The researchers and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend drastic changes in clinical practice involving premature infants, including reducing the number of unnecessary lab tests and bundling tests together.

image: sxc

Post from: Blisstree

Managing pain when preemies can’t say "Ouch!"

Congratulations! I’ll email you the instructions for receiving your prize!

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Kids Health Notes give-away: Protect-a-bub swimsuit/hat set – winners!

Well, now the FDA has approved a vaccine (Pantacel) against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, and Haemophilus influenzae type b.

The vaccine was approved for four-dose administration at two, four, six, and 15-18 months, but the initial dose may be given as early as six weeks. Full administration should be completed before the child’s fifth birthday.

It’s well tolerated in the clinical trial and the most frequently reported serious adverse events were bronchiolitis, dehydration, and gastroenteritis.

I guess it’s biggest pro is fewer number of shots per visit. I’m not sure if this vaccine is available to the medical community but I’m gonna ask the pediatrician about this. I’m not recommending this either, but I do want the word out.

Post from: Blisstree

Five-in-one vaccine for children now OK – FDA

Some children who are exposed to cats in their first year of life may have an increased risk for eczema

What’s responsible for the increased risk?

Mutation in the gene for filaggrin, a protein on the skin that helps reduce water loss and protects against harsh environment.

As reported in Medpage Today, scientists from the Copenhagen Study on Asthma in Childhood found that eczema was likely to develop among children who have the mutation and who have a cat in their home at birth. Only those children with the mutation have the increased risk. Likewise, exposure to dogs at home did not increase the risk of developing eczema.

source: medpagetoday;
image: sxc

Post from: Blisstree

Cats may increase risk for infant eczema

MILK ALLERGY ALERT

June 25, 2008

Bay Valley Foods is recalling “Kroger Chicken Noodle Soup” due to
undeclared milk.

The recalled soup was distributed through Dillon stores in Kansas,
Missouri, and Nebraska.

The product comes in 10.5-oz. cans, is marked with lot code 52104098, and has a “best before” date code of 40910 that can be found on the bottom of the can.

Consumers may return the product to the place of purchase for a full
refund. Consumers with questions may call (800) 983-0823.

Post from: Blisstree

Allergy alert: Undeclared milk in Noodle Soup

Girls are like
apples on trees. The best
ones are at the top of the tree.
The boys don’t want to reach for
the good ones because they are afraid
of falling and getting hurt. Instead, they
just get the rotten apples from the ground
that aren’t as good, but easy. So the apples
at the top think something is wrong with
them, when in reality, they’re amazing.
They just have to wait for the right
boy to come along, the one
who’s brave enough
to climb
all the way
to the top
of the tree.

Nice, huh?

Post from: Blisstree

Stumbling gem: Girls are like apples on trees

Now, however, one of the teens who got pregnant spoke out and denied that a pact ever existed.

The Mayor of Gloucester also denied these rumors. So instead, the pregnant girls simply wanted to help each other out. This should bring a big sigh of relief to parents of teens.

Post from: Blisstree

"Teen Pregnancy Pact" denied by one of pregnant girls

As of July 1, 2008, the use of cellular phones while driving at the same time will have new restrictions. Drivers under the age of 18 are strictly prohibited from driving while using a telephone or other types of mobile devices – pagers, texting device, laptops, broadband communicators or specialized mobile radio. And there is no exception, not even parent’s special permission slips.

Statistics show that teen drivers are more likely than older drivers to be involved in crashes because they lack driving experience and tend to take greater risks. Teen drivers are vulnerable to driving distractions such as talking with passengers, eating or drinking, and talking or texting on wireless devices, which increase the chance of getting involved in serious vehicle crashes.

Now the fines are a slap on the wrist- just $20 for first offence and $50 for each. No points are assessed, BUT WAIT! The conviction appears on the driving record. And this means that the auto insurance company may deem that teenage driver is a high-risk, hence higher premiums.

For drivers age 18 and older, a hands-free device for the phone must be used and only one ear must be covered. The only exceptions are calls made during an emergency to law enforcement, fire department or other emergency services.

Have more questions? Here is a FAQ from the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

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Restrictions on new California cell phone laws affect out-of-state drivers

Keeping Children Safe In, On, and Around the Water

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Water safety for children – is learning to swim enough?