Food Allergies

For Maureen Burke, “gluten-free” is not just the latest diet trend -- it's a way of life. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease in the late 1980s, Burke has wrestled with her intolerance of gluten. And now, as chef and owner of One Dish Cuisine, in Ellicott City, she shares the fruits of her labor over the past two decades with others who suffer from food allergies and intolerances: a restaurant that serves food they can eat. Burke, now 49, was diagnosed with celiac disease and lactose intolerance when she was 25. Back then, celiac disease was relatively unheard of and there weren't many options.

For Maureen Burke, “gluten-free” is not just the latest diet trend -- it's a way of life. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease in the late 1980s, Burke has wrestled with her intolerance of gluten. And now, as chef and owner of One Dish Cuisine, in Ellicott City, she shares the fruits of her labor over the past two decades with others who suffer from food allergies and intolerances: a restaurant that serves food they can eat. Burke, now 49, was diagnosed with celiac disease and lactose intolerance when she was 25. Back then, celiac disease was relatively unheard of and there weren't many options.

Brandy Dopkin gave her then-11/2-year-old daughter Jordana a snack — a small piece of multigrain bread topped with peanut butter — just before they headed to Jordana's music class. At the time, the child showed no indications of a food allergy. But that changed during the class: Someone noticed that Jordana's skin was breaking out in hives. Dopkin decided to take her daughter home, but by the time they arrived, Jordana's eyes were swollen shut and welts had formed on her neck.

Julie Bowen was on the set of the television show "Boston Legal" four years ago when she got the call from her husband, who was on his way to the hospital with their then-infant son Oliver. While hanging out in the backyard of their California home, Oliver's neck and face suddenly began to swell. Emergency room doctors treated him for anaphylaxis — a life-threatening allergic reaction to foods and other things in the environment. Peanut butter or a bee sting was probably the culprit in Oliver's case, said Bowen, best known for her role as a neurotic mom on the television show "Modern Family.

Maryland public schools will all soon be keeping emergency supplies of epinephrine on hand for students who may have an allergic reaction, and patient advocates are applauding the new law . “Receiving a dose of epinephrine in the critical minutes following exposure to a food allergen can mean the difference between life and death,” said Susan Sweitzer, executive director of the Maryland-DC Chapter of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of...

A major new study bolsters the view that food allergies are among the nation's most common medical conditions, and researchers at the Johns Hopkins University and elsewhere believe the problem is growing. The newly released study, perhaps the largest study of food allergies, showed that about 7.5 million people, or almost three in 100 people in the U.S., have a potentially life-threatening allergy to peanuts, dairy, eggs or shellfish. Children, as well as men and African-Americans, have higher rates.

Some children with severe food allergies have died needlessly because they weren't taught to self-administer an antidote or weren't carrying the drug when symptoms first occurred, a Johns Hopkins study has concluded.When pediatric allergist Hugh Sampson studied the cases of six children who died within a few hours of allergic attacks, he discovered that five of the children were in public places without their medicine. Four children were at school, and a fifth was attending a fair, when they ate the food that killed them.

Kids who are allergic to foods can overcome their reactions through therapy that involves giving them increasing doses of the specific foods, according to a new study from Johns Hopkins Children's Center and other hospitals. The research adds to what doctors already know about food allergies. In this case, they used eggs for the treatment, known as oral immunotherapy. Past research involved milk and peanuts. For now, the research is still considered experimental and isn't recommended outside of a study.

The 'Secrets' is out about low-fat cookingA hundred techniques and 200 easy recipes, along with guides to foods such as beans and salad greens, are featured in "Secrets of Low-Fat Cooking," from the editors of Eating Well magazine (Eating Well Books, 1997, $16.95). Recipes include old favorites such as meat loaf and Boston baked beans, and trendy dishes such as grilled mesclun-stuffed swordfish and roasted vegetable and linguine salad. Start your backyard garden off right this year with a cup of coffee -- or at least the grounds.

For most of us, milk does a body good. And a PB&J sandwich is our lunch of choice. We don't obsess about the ingredients in our cookies, fast food or other stuff we eat.But nearly 5 percent of kids have to worry about everything they put in their mouths. They have food allergies.Kids who do have food allergies may sit next to you at lunch in school or at snack time in camp. You might tease them because they always bring their own food and don't share. Maybe you think they're weird because they turn down candy bars or pizza.

Brandy Dopkin gave her then-11/2-year-old daughter Jordana a snack — a small piece of multigrain bread topped with peanut butter — just before they headed to Jordana's music class. At the time, the child showed no indications of a food allergy. But that changed during the class: Someone noticed that Jordana's skin was breaking out in hives. Dopkin decided to take her daughter home, but by the time they arrived, Jordana's eyes were swollen shut and welts had formed on her neck.

Kids who are allergic to foods can overcome their reactions through therapy that involves giving them increasing doses of the specific foods, according to a new study from Johns Hopkins Children's Center and other hospitals. The research adds to what doctors already know about food allergies. In this case, they used eggs for the treatment, known as oral immunotherapy. Past research involved milk and peanuts. For now, the research is still considered experimental and isn't recommended outside of a study.

Sunday, June 3 Food-allergy awareness The Bowie Baysox will hold Food Allergy Awareness Day as they host the Reading Phillies at 2:05 p.m. at Prince George's Stadium. It's an opportunity for fans with food allergies that would typically keep them away from a baseball game to spend an afternoon at the ballpark in an allergen-free environment. Fans attending will have the option to watch the game from the Gluten-Free Suite or the Food-Free Suite. Gluten-Free Suite tickets are $14.50 and include a voucher for a hot dog on a gluten-free bun, chips, a regular soft drink and a gluten-free cookie.

'Moonlight and Magnolias' Comedy about the writing of the movie script for "Gone with the Wind" runs June 8-30 at the Colonial Players, 108 East St. in Annapolis. Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, with a 7:30 p.m. performance on June 17. Tickets are $20 and $15 and can be purchased at thecolonialplayers.org or by calling 410-268-7373. Book sale Thousands of books, videotapes, and miscellaneous items will be on sale Saturday-Sunday, June 2-3, at 1718 Urby Drive in Crofton.

Maryland public schools will all soon be keeping emergency supplies of epinephrine on hand for students who may have an allergic reaction, and patient advocates are applauding the new law . “Receiving a dose of epinephrine in the critical minutes following exposure to a food allergen can mean the difference between life and death,” said Susan Sweitzer, executive director of the Maryland-DC Chapter of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of...

In what parents and health organizations called a life-saving measure, Gov. Martin O' Malley signed into a law Tuesday a bill that will require all Maryland schools to maintain an emergency supply of epinephrine in order to respond to a growing trend of severe allergic reactions among school-aged children.  “Receiving a dose of epinephrine in the critical minutes following exposure to a food allergen can mean the difference between life and death,”...

For people with food allergies, ingredient labels are like a book that's missing a few chapters — you're not getting the whole story. Included on many packages are vague words like "spices," "seasonings," and the ever-popular (and sometimes creepy) "added color. " If you happen not to be one of the 12 million Americans with a food allergy, don't think this issue doesn't matter. With one in 25 people affected, chances are someone you care about deals with this problem on a daily basis.

Q: What's the best way to address a cat's dry, flaky skin?   A: Common causes for dry kitty skin include allergic reactions (to food, dust or flea bites) and poor diet, but it could also signal kidney, liver, heart, adrenal or thyroid problems. A thorough examination by your veterinarian should be your first step, to rule out any serious underlying medical conditions that may be the true cause of dry, itchy skin. Food allergies are often assumed to be the culprit for dry skin in cats when, in reality, food allergies may cause only 10 percent of skin disorders in pets.         A healthy diet for cats should contain sufficient omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for healthy skin and coats.

Q: What's the best way to address a cat's dry, flaky skin?   A: Common causes for dry kitty skin include allergic reactions (to food, dust or flea bites) and poor diet, but it could also signal kidney, liver, heart, adrenal or thyroid problems. A thorough examination by your veterinarian should be your first step, to rule out any serious underlying medical conditions that may be the true cause of dry, itchy skin. Food allergies are often assumed to be the culprit for dry skin in cats when, in reality, food allergies may cause only 10 percent of skin disorders in pets.         A healthy diet for cats should contain sufficient omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for healthy skin and coats.