Holidays can be lonely time for those with food allergies

With hospital admissions for anaphylaxis doubling over the last decade in Australia, experts warn those with severe allergies often avoid the family dinner table and social gatherings – particularly during the holiday period.

HOLIDAYS can leave Queenslanders with food allergies isolated and lonely as they avoid family dinner tables for fear of setting off a life-threatening anaphylactic attack, warns the chief of Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia.

“Some people are fearful of feeling victimised and accused of exaggerating their allergies so they avoid gatherings. Others are frightened that the changes in locations and the food served could inadvertently cause an attack,” Maria Said said.

The chief executive says that anecdotally the holiday period is known as a danger zone for a rise in attacks.

Children teased with life-threatening allergens

Parents exposing babies to first allergenic foods in GP carparks

Australia is one of the food allergy capitals of the world with numbers growing.

Many cases go undiagnosed but Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia said food allergy occurs in more than 10 per cent of infants and two per cent of adults.

The most common triggers are egg, cow’s milk, peanut, tree nuts, sesame, soy, fish, shellfish, and wheat.

Anaphylaxis Australia’s national president Maria Said.

Hospital admissions for severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) have doubled over the last decade in Australia.

New research from Cornell University has highlighted the problem of loneliness during holiday times in people with restricted diets.

Across seven studies and controlled experiments, researchers found that food restrictions predicted increased levels of loneliness among both children and adults.

The researchers revealed that strangers felt more connected and trusting of each other when they shared the same food and eating food from the same plate increased co-operation between strangers.

But when restricted from sharing in the meal, people suffer “food worries and fret about what they can eat and how others might judge them for not fitting in.

“It can be difficult for the parents of children with allergies but its important to be focused and organised in advance so that children can socialise. Things can be very spur of the moment during holidays. Parents can’t put too much expectations on the host but most people are pretty good at making things work,” Ms Said said.

When Harry Hodge was one a visit to the playground could be highly dangerous for him. The slightest trace of eggs or rice could set off a violent reaction. He is pictured with mother Marley McKean. Picture: Nigel Hallett

This Christmas Harry Hodge was able to sit with this family and enjoy eating together but last year was a very different story.

As a baby the Gold Coast boy was diagnosed with a rare food allergy known as food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) but in the last year he has outgrown his allergies.

“It’s been a huge relief for the family and great that Harry can join in without fear,” mum Marley said.