JOBURG - Eggs and peanut butter are the most common causes of allergic reactions.
Allergy experts who attended the Allergy Awareness talk in Bryanston explained that allergy disorders have a huge psychosocial impact on children’s lives.
The occasion was hosted by Allergy Alliance’s founder Hayley Katz on 25 April to raise funds that will be used for allergy intervention projects.
According to Dr Meshandree Naidoo, a paediatrician who has a special interest in allergies, the disorder is detrimental in children’s lives.
Paediatrician Dr Meshandree Naidoo gives a detailed presentation at Mike’s Kitchen in Bryanston about various allergy disorders in young children.
The disorder can affect your child’s life socially, academically and in various other ways that can isolate a child from other children.
Naidoo cited eggs and peanut butter as the most common causes of allergy saying the most problematic disorder is anaphylaxis.
Though it is generally not life-threaten, however, said there is a need for a holistic approach to treat this disorder.
“Anaphylaxis is a severe immune reaction that occurs within minutes and requires immediate attention.
“It mostly happens in schools, restaurants or on flights,” said the specialist.
To treat the disorder, Naidoo encouraged parents to avoid ‘offending’ food allergies and to stick to a written action plan.
Lindsay Archibald-Durham, a dietician, told the audience they need to be aware of the food their children consume because they can have hidden allergies.
She said even if a child has eaten a product a 100 or 1 000 times without any negative effects, they should not assume that they are not allergic.
Shane Smit, Head Chef at Jamie Oliver’s Italian Restaurant said their restaurant take serious precautions with regards to allergies.
“In our restaurant we even have an allergy charter next to our menu as a precaution for people suffering from allergies,” said Smit.
“Even our kid’s menu has won the best kiddies menu in the United Kingdom and we are proud of that because it shows our menu is good for the children,” he said.
Head Chef at Jamie Oliver’s Italian Restaurant, Shane Smit, one of the guest speakers who spoke about allergies at the Allergy Alive fundraising function held in Bryanston at the Mike’s Kitchen.
Kymn Grant-Smith, a mother of a child who suffers from allergies and an inspirational food developer, demonstrated their family recipe that they use to prepare adequate food for their child.
Miss South Africa finalist Cynthia Hin also spoke about the burden of the disorder which affects her child, saying it is very painful.
Meanwhile, a raffle was held on the night to raise funds and participants had to pay R50 to stand a chance to win a prize.
