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- A food allergy
is an immune system response to a
food that the body mistakenly
believes is harmful. Once the immune
system decides that a particular
food is harmful, it creates specific
antibodies to it.
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- The next time the individual
eats that food, the immune system
releases massive amounts of
chemicals, including histamine, in
order to protect the body. These
chemicals trigger a cascade of
allergic symptoms that can affect
the respiratory system,
gastrointestinal tract, skin, or
cardiovascular system.
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- Scientists estimate that
approximately 11 million Americans
suffer from true food allergies. At
the present time, there is no cure
for food allergy. Avoidance is the
only way to prevent an allergic
reaction.
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- Although an individual could be
allergic to any food, such as
fruits, vegetables, and meats, they
are not as common as the following
eight foods which account for 90% of
all food-allergic reactions:
- Milk
- Egg
- Peanut
- Tree
nut (walnut, cashew,
etc.)
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Soy
- Wheat
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- Click on a link above to read
tips for managing the allergy. For
information about anaphylaxis,
click
here.
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- Tips
for Managing a Milk
Allergy
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- Baking
- Fortunately, milk is one of the
easiest ingredients to substitute in
baking and cooking. It can be
substituted, in equal amounts, with
water or fruit juice. (For example,
substitute 1 cup milk with 1 cup
water.)
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- Some Hidden Sources of
Milk
- Deli meat slicers are frequently
used for both meat and cheese
products.
- Some brands of canned tuna fish
contain casein, a milk protein.
- Many non-dairy products contain
casein (a milk derivative), listed
on the ingredient labels. FAAN is
currently working with the FDA to
have the term "non-dairy""
eliminated on products that contain
milk derivatives.
- Some meats may contain casein as
a binder. Check all labels
carefully.
- Many restaurants put butter on
steaks after they have been grilled
to add extra flavor. The butter is
not visible after it melts.
- Commonly Asked Questions
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- Is goat milk a safe
alternative to cow milk?
- Goat's milk protein is similar
to cow's milk protein and may,
therefore, cause a reaction in
milk-allergic individuals. It is not
a safe alternative.
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- Can I rely on Kosher symbols
to determine if a product is
milk-free?
- The Jewish community uses a
system of product markings to
indicate whether a food is kosher,
or in accordance with Jewish dietary
rules.
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- There are two Kosher symbols
that can be of help for those with a
milk allergy: a "D," or the word
dairy, on a label next to "K" or "U"
(usually found near the product
name) indicates presence of milk
protein, and a "DE" on a label
indicates produced on equipment
shared with dairy.
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- If the product contains neither
meat nor dairy products it is Pareve
(Parev, Parve). Pareve-labeled
products indicate that the products
are considered milk-free according
to religious specifications. Be
aware that under Jewish law, a food
product may be considered Pareve
even if it contains a very small
amount of milk. Therefore, a
product labeled as Pareve could
potentially have enough milk protein
in it to cause a reaction in a
milk-allergic individual.
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- Do these ingredients contain
milk?
- We frequently get calls about
the following ingredients. They do
not contain milk protein and need
not be restricted by someone
avoiding milk:
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Calcium lactate
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Lactic acid (however,
lactic acid starter culture
may contain milk)
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Calcium stearoyl
lactylate
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oleoresin
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Cocoa butter
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Sodium lactate
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Cream of tartar
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Sodium stearoyl
lactylate
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- Resources Available from
FAAN
- The following are some helpful
resources that may be ordered
online, or by calling FAAN at (800)
929-4040. To read a description of
each item and/or place an online
order, please click the links
below.
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- How
to Read a Label for an Milk-Free
Diet
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- FAAN
Milk Flashback
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- Food
allergy
cookbooks
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Back
to Top
- Tips
for Managing an Egg
Allergy
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- Baking
- For each egg, substitute one of
the following in recipes:
- 1 tsp. baking powder, 1 T.
liquid, 1 T. vinegar
- 1 tsp. yeast dissolved in 1/4
cup warm water
- 1 1/2 T. water, 1 1/2 T. oil, 1
tsp. baking powder
- 1 packet gelatin, 2 T. warm
water. Do not mix until ready to
use.
- These substitutes work well when
baking from scratch and substituting
1 to 3 eggs.
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- Some Hidden Sources of
Egg
- Eggs have been used as to create
the foam or milk topping on
specialty coffee drinks and are used
in some bar drinks.
- Some commercial brands of egg
substitutes contain egg whites.
- Most commercially processed
cooked pastas (including those used
in prepared foods such as soup)
contain egg or are processed on
equipment shared with egg-containing
pastas. Boxed, dry pastas are
usually egg-free. Fresh pasta is
sometimes egg-free, too. Read the
label or ask about ingredients
before eating pasta.
- Commonly Asked Questions
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- Is a flu shot safe for an
individual with an egg
allergy?
- Influenza vaccines are grown on
egg embryos and may contain a small
amount of egg protein. If you or
your child is allergic to eggs,
speak to your doctor before
receiving a flu shot.
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- Can an MMR Vaccine be given
to an individual with an egg
allergy?
- The recommendations of the
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
acknowledge that the MMR vaccine can
be safely administered to all
patients with egg allergy. The AAP
recommendations have been based, in
part, on overwhelming scientific
evidence supporting the routine use
of one-dose administration of the
MMR vaccine to egg-allergic
patients. This includes those
patients with a history of severe,
generalized anaphylactic reactions
to egg.
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- Resources Available from
FAAN
- The following are some helpful
resources that may be ordered
online, or by calling FAAN at (800)
929-4040. To read a description of
each item and/or place an online
order, please click the links
below.
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- How
to Read a Label for an Egg-Free
Diet
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- FAAN
Egg Flashback
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- Food
allergy
cookbooks
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Back
to Top
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Tips
for Managing a Peanut
Allergy
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- Some Hidden Sources of
Peanuts
- Artificial nuts can be peanuts
that have been deflavored and
reflavored with a nut, such as pecan
or walnut. Mandelonas are peanuts
soaked in almond flavoring.
- Arachis oil is peanut oil.
- It is advised that
peanut-allergic patients avoid
chocolate candies unless they are
absolutely certain there is no risk
of cross-contact during
manufacturing procedures.
- African, Chinese, Indonesian,
Mexican, Thai, and Vietnamese dishes
often contain peanuts, or are
contaminated with peanuts during
preparation of these types of meals.
Additionally, foods sold in bakeries
and ice cream shops are often in
contact with peanuts. It is
recommended that peanut-allergic
individuals avoid these types of
foods and restaurants.
- Many brands of sunflower seeds
are produced on equipment shared
with peanuts.
- Keep in Mind
- Studies show that most allergic
individuals can safely eat peanut
oil (not cold pressed, expelled, or
extruded peanut oil - sometimes
represented as gourmet oils).
Patients should ask their doctors
whether or not to avoid peanut
oil.
- Most experts recommend
peanut-allergic patients avoid tree
nuts as well.
- Peanuts can be found in many
foods. Check all labels carefully.
Contact the manufacturer if you have
questions.
- Peanuts can cause severe
allergic reactions. If prescribed,
carry epinephrine at all times.
Click here for more information
about anaphylaxis.
- Commonly Asked Questions
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- Can a peanut allergy be
outgrown?
- Although once considered to be a
life-long allergy, recent studies
indicate that up to 20 percent of
children diagnosed with peanut
allergy outgrow it.
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- Can alternative nut butters
(i.e., cashew nut butter) be
substituted for peanut
butter?
- Many nut butters are produced on
equipment used to process peanut
butter, therefore making it somewhat
of a risky alternative.
Additionally, most experts recommend
peanut-allergic patients avoid tree
nuts as well.
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- Resources Available from
FAAN
- The following are some helpful
resources that may be ordered
online, or by calling FAAN at (800)
929-4040. To read a description of
each item and/or place an online
order, please click the links
below.
-
- How
to Read a Label for an Peanut-Free
Diet
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- FAAN
Peanut Flashback
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- The
Peanut Allergy Answer
Book
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- Click the links below for
more information on these
topics:
- Flying
with a Peanut Allergy
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Back
to Top
Tips
for Managing a Tree Nut
Allergy
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- Some Hidden Sources of Tree
Nuts
- Artificial nuts can be peanuts
that have been deflavored and
reflavored with a nut, such as pecan
or walnut. Mandelonas are peanuts
soaked in almond flavoring.
- Mortadella may contain
pistachios.
- Natural and artificial flavoring
may contain tree nuts.
- Tree nuts have been used in many
foods including barbecue sauce,
cereals, crackers, and ice
cream.
- Kick sacks, or hacky sacks, bean
bags, and draftdodgers are sometimes
filled with crushed nut shells.
- Commonly Asked Questions
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- Should coconut be avoided by
someone with a tree nut
allergy?
- A coconut is the seed of a
drupaceous fruit. Coconuts are not
typically restricted in the diet of
an individual allergic to tree nuts.
Some people have reacted to coconut,
therefore, discuss this with a
doctor before introducing coconut to
your diet.
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- Is nutmeg safe?
- Nutmeg is obtained from the
seeds of the tropical tree species
Myristica fragrans. It is safe for
an individual with a tree nut
allergy.
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- Should water chestnuts be
avoided?
- The water chestnut is not a nut,
it is an edible portion of a plant
root known as a crom. It is safe for
someone who is allergic to tree
nuts.
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- Keep in Mind
- Tree nuts can cause severe
allergic reactions. If your doctor
has prescribed epinephrine, be sure
to always carry it with you. For
information about anaphylaxis,
click
here.
- Most experts advise tree
nut-allergic patients to avoid
peanuts as well.
- Most experts advise patients who
have been diagnosed with an allergy
to specific tree nuts to avoid all
tree nuts.
- Resources Available from
FAAN
- The following are some helpful
resources that may be ordered
online, or by calling FAAN at (800)
929-4040. To read a description of
each item and/or place an online
order, please click the links
below.
-
- How
to Read a Label for a Tree Nut-Free
Diet
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- FAAN
Tree Nut
Flashback
-
Back
to Top
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- Tips
for Managing a Fish and/or Shellfish
Allergy
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- Allergic reactions to fish and
shellfish are commonly reported in
both adults and children. It is
generally recommended that
individuals who have had an allergic
reaction to one species of fish or
positive skin tests to fish avoid
all fish. The same rule applies to
shellfish. If you have a fish
allergy but would like to have fish
in your diet, speak with your
allergist about the possibility of
being challenged with various types
of fish.
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- Keep in Mind
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- Fish-allergic individuals should
be cautious when eating away from
home. They should avoid fish and
seafood restaurants because of the
risk of contamination in the
food-preparation area of their
"non-fish" meal from a counter,
spatula, cooking oil, fryer, or
grill exposed to fish. In addition,
fish protein can become airborne
during cooking and cause an allergic
reaction. Some individuals have had
reactions from walking through a
fish market.
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- Allergic reactions to fish and
shellfish can be severe and are
often a cause of anaphylaxis. For
more information about anaphylaxis,
click
here.
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- Some Hidden Sources of
Fish
- Caponata, a traditional
sweet-and-sour Sicilian relish, can
contain anchovies.
- Caesar salad dressings and steak
or Worcestershire sauce often
contain anchovies.
- Surimi (imitation crabmeat)
contains fish.
- Commonly Asked
Questions
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- Should carrageenan be avoided
by a fish- or shellfish-allergic
individual?
- Carrageenan is not fish.
Carrageenan, or Irish moss, is a red
marine algae. This food product is
used in a wide variety of foods,
particularly dairy foods, as an
emulsifier, stabilizer, and
thickener. It appears safe for most
individuals with food allergies.
Carrageenan is not related to fish
or shellfish and does not need to be
avoided by those with food
allergies.
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- Should iodine be avoided by a
fish- or shellfish-allergic
individual?
- Allergy to iodine, allergy to
radiocontrast material (used in some
lab procedures), and allergy to fish
or shellfish are not related. If you
have an allergy to fish or
shellfish, you do not need to worry
about cross reactions with
radiocontrast material or
iodine.
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- Resources Available from
FAAN
- The following are some helpful
resources that may be ordered
online, or by calling FAAN at (800)
929-4040. To read a description of
each item and/or place an online
order, please click the links
below.
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- How
to Read a Label for an
Shellfish-Free Diet
FAAN
Fish
Flashback
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-
Back
to Top
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- Tips
for Managing a Soy
Allergy
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- Soybeans have become a major
part of processed food products in
the United States. Avoiding products
made with soybeans can be
difficult.
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- Soybeans alone are not a major
food in the diet, but because
they're in so many products,
eliminating all those foods can
result in an unbalanced diet.
Consult with a dietitian to help you
plan for proper nutrition.
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- Keep in Mind
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- Soybeans and soy products are
found in baked goods, canned tuna,
cereals, crackers, infant formulas,
sauces, and soups. At least one
brand of peanut butter lists soy on
the label.
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- Studies show that most
soy-allergic individuals may safely
eat soybean oil (not cold pressed,
expeller pressed, or extruded oil)
and soy lecithin. Patients should
ask their doctors whether or not to
avoid these ingredients.
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- Soy-free Stir-Fry
Recipe:
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- Stir-Fried Orange Beef
- 1 tsp. cornstarch
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 to 1 1/2 lbs. trimmed beef,
thinly sliced
- 1 to 2 T. of oil
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. crushed red
pepper flakes
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 1 T. grated fresh
gingerroot
- 1/4 cup green onion, thinly
sliced
- 1/4 cup bell pepper, thinly
sliced
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- In small bowl, combine
cornstarch and orange juice. Set
aside. In wok, add beef, oil, and
red pepper flakes. Stir-fry over
high heat until beef is browned.
Remove beef with slotted spoon. Set
aside. Add garlic, gingerroot,
onion, and bell pepper to oil
remaining in the wok. Stir-fry 2
minutes. Add cornstarch/orange juice
mixture. Simmer until thickened. Add
beef and toss with sauce. Can be
served over noodles or rice.
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- Resources Available from
FAAN
- The following are some helpful
resources that may be ordered
online, or by calling FAAN at (800)
929-4040. To read a description of
each item and/or place an online
order, please click the links
below.
-
- How
to Read a Label for an Soy-Free
Diet
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- FAAN
Soy Flashback
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-
Back
to Top
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Tips
for Managing a Wheat
Allergy
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- Baking
- When baking with wheat-free
flours, a combination of flours
usually works best. Experiment with
different blends to find one that
will give you the texture you are
trying to achieve.
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- Try substituting 1 cup wheat
flour with one of the
following:
- 7/8 cup rice flour
- 5/8 cup potato starch flour
- 1 cup soy flour plus 1/4 cup
potato starch flour
- 1 cup corn flour
- Keep in Mind
- Read labels carefully. At least
one brand of hot dogs and one brand
of ice cream contains wheat. It is
listed on the label.
- Many country-style wreaths are
decorated with wheat products.
- Some types of imitation crabmeat
contain wheat.
- Wheat flour is sometimes
flavored and shaped to look like
beef, pork, and shrimp, especially
in Asian dishes.
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- Commonly Asked Questions
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- What is the difference
between celiac disease and wheat
allergy?
- Celiac disease and wheat allergy
are two distinct conditions. Celiac
disease, or celiac sprue, is a
permanent adverse reaction to
gluten. Those with celiac disease
will not lose their sensitivity to
this substance. This disease
requires a lifelong restriction of
gluten.
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- The major grains that contain
gluten are wheat, rye, oats, and
barley. These grains and their
by-products must be strictly avoided
by people with celiac disease.
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- Wheat-allergic people have an
IgE-mediated response to wheat
protein. These individuals must only
avoid wheat. Most wheat-allergic
children outgrow the allergy.
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- Are kamut and spelt safe
alternatives to wheat?
- No. Kamut is a cereal grain
which is related to wheat. Spelt is
an ancient wheat that has recently
been marketed as safe for
wheat-allergic individuals. This
claim is untrue, however.
Wheat-allergic patients can react as
readily to spelt as they do to
common wheat.
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- Resources Available from
FAAN
- The following are some helpful
resources that may be ordered
online, or by calling FAAN at (800)
929-4040. To read a description of
each item and/or place an online
order, please click the links
below.
-
- How
to Read a Label for a Wheat-Free
Diet
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- FAAN
Wheat Flashback
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- Food
allergy
cookbooks
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-
Back
to Top
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- How
to contact The Food Allergy &
Anaphylaxis Network
- Via
Mail
- 11781 Lee Jackson Hwy.,
Suite 160
- Fairfax,VA
22033-3309
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- Via
Phone
- 800-929-4040
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- Via
Fax
- 703-691-2713
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- Via
E-mail
- faan@foodallergy.org
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- Additional
information
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- For a list of doctors
in your area, please call one of the
following
organizations:
- American Academy of
Allergy, Asthma &
Immunology
- 800-822-ASMA
- www.aaaai.org
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- American College of
Allergy, Asthma &
Immunology
- 800-842-7777
- www.allergy.mcg.edu
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- American Academy of
Pediatrics
- 800-433-9016
- www.aap.org
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to Top
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