Be allergy aware
Friday 19 May 2017
Australia has one of the highest incidences of food allergy in the world and this is increasing at an alarming rate; in fact, one in 10 babies born in Australia will develop a food allergy.
During Food Allergy Week each May, Australians are encouraged to be aware of food allergies and how they can help reduce the risk of a reaction for those living with food allergies.
Symptoms of food allergy range from mild to severe; knowing what to do in an emergency situation can save another person’s life.
A severe allergic reaction is known as anaphylaxis, which is a medical emergency and must be treated as such.
A person with an allergic reaction can experience symptoms such as swelling of lips, face, eyes, tongue or throat; difficulty breathing; hives on the skin; dizziness or collapse.
If someone around you is having a severe allergic reaction, call 000 immediately and administer the persons’ EpiPen if available.
Food Allergy Week aims to raise awareness about food allergy in Australia, to help manage potentially life-threatening emergencies when they happen.
It’s up to all Queenslanders to be allergy aware – to know how to minimise the risk of a reaction, what to do if a reaction happens and how to support family, friends and colleagues living with food allergies.
You can help people with allergies by:
- understanding that allergies can be serious and life-threatening
- providing ingredients for food that you have prepared for others if requested
- encouraging children to not share food and drinks
- educating children that deliberately exposing other children to foods to which they are allergic is dangerous
- taking steps to create a workplace that is safe for those with allergies
- and taking the ASCIA ‘Anaphylaxis first aid’ e-training.
