Why We Need to Stop Referring to IgE-Mediated Allergies as 'True' Food Allergies

This is an open letter to all healthcare professionals from a food allergy mama and Registered Dietitian.

I am writing to you as a mother to children with both IgE mediated and non-IgE mediated food allergies. As many of you are aware, allergic reactions commonly seen in the media are IgE reactions — those that could turn into fatal anaphylaxis. The less commonly talked about food allergies are non-IgE reactions, such as food protein-induced enterocolitis (FPIES) or a non-IgE cow’s milk protein allergy. These ones are non-anaphylactic and come with mostly gut-related symptoms. But they are still real allergies.

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Dear FPIES Parent: You Don't Have To Stress Out Over Your Child's 1st Birthday Cake

To the FPIES mamas dealing with multiple food allergies, your child will have a wonderful bday even if there is no cake. I know many mamas get super stressed out over making a “safe cake” for the kiddo’s first bday. If you are up for the challenge, by all means... power to you! But if the whole cake thing is causing you a lot of grief and anxiety….just remember this is more than your kiddo not having a cake.

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Easing Your Child's Pain During Blood Work: Use a "Magic Patch"

This is a tip I got from my fabulous allergist. In Canada, you can buy topical anesthetic cream, gel or patch to help reduce your child's pain during bloodwork or immunization. I use the patch and call it the "magic patch" that helps take a lot of the pain away. Read more about it here.

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