Two-year-olds aren’t exactly known for their generosity. A quick online search reveals over 100 million results on how to teach toddlers to share, with parents sharing their playground experiences of sharing-related meltdowns. So, you can imagine my shock when my daughter’s friend decided to “share” his ice cream with her by literally shoving it into her mouth. His mother beamed with pride, celebrating his thoughtfulness, while I felt a wave of panic. My daughter has a severe egg allergy, and guess what? Egg was one of the main ingredients.
Now four, she carries an EpiPen everywhere she goes. I’ve become that parent who questions waitstaff at restaurants and alerts other parents during playdates. Despite our vigilance, we’ve had several trips to the emergency room. So how do you teach a toddler to navigate the constant influx of sugary treats at daycare, especially on occasions like birthdays and holidays?
We’re fortunate in many ways. Aside from her allergy, our daughter is healthy, and we have good healthcare access. We even managed to find EpiPens during the recent shortage. But our fortune could flip if we let our guard down—like when a family friend insists we’re overreacting and offers her fries slathered in egg-laden mayonnaise. “Kids these days and their allergies,” he remarks, labeling me a “helicopter parent.”
Ironically, he’s correct about one thing: food allergies are on the rise. However, this trend isn’t due to overprotective parenting. According to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), about 32 million Americans have food allergies, impacting one in every thirteen children. Someone ends up in the ER due to food allergies every three minutes, and over 40% of affected kids have faced severe reactions, such as anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis triggers the immune system to release a cascade of chemicals, which can lead to shock, drop in blood pressure, and blocked airways. The experience is often described as terrifying—patients frequently express feeling as though they are dying. My daughter was too young to articulate her feelings during her first reaction, but I’ll never forget her bewildered gaze, the beeping monitors, and the medical tubes delivering life-saving medication. If not treated swiftly, anaphylaxis can be fatal. That’s why the EpiPen is a staple in her little blue owl backpack (because “blue is my favorite color”).
Research from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention indicates that food allergies in children increased by 50% from 1997 to 2011, with peanut allergies tripling between 1997 and 2008. The financial burden is staggering, costing U.S. families nearly $25 billion annually.
So, what’s driving this alarming trend? Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just improved awareness or diagnosis, nor is it solely genetic. Preliminary research suggests environmental factors may play a significant role. Allergies are more common in urban settings than in rural ones, possibly due to pollution and dietary shifts. A recent study in Frontiers in Immunology noted that changes in the human microbiome—our body’s community of microbes—could also be impacting how our immune systems respond to allergens. Increased exposure to antibiotics and antimicrobial agents may be disrupting our immune balance, making us more susceptible to allergies.
As we advocate for more research to explore the causes of this increase and potential cures, we should also take immediate steps to make environments safer for those with food allergies. Simple actions in our homes, schools, and communities can make a difference.
My daughter is now older. She knows to ask about ingredients and we’ve started bringing vegan treats to parties so she can partake in the fun. There are moments when she feels excluded—like when a classmate tells her she can’t eat anything “fun.” Yet, these experiences are shaping her resilience and empathy, not making her a pampered “snowflake.” “I can eat lots of fun things,” she tells her friend. “I can eat popsicles!” And off she goes with her blue owl backpack, ready for the next adventure.
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In summary, teaching kids about food allergies—even if they don’t have them—is essential for fostering a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. Awareness can lead to action, and together, we can make a difference.
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