A Handful of Gold

Food allergy occurs in around 1 in 20 children, with symptoms involving the skin, gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system. While the majority of allergic reactions are not severe, anaphylaxis -- the most serious and potentially life-threatening form of allergic reaction -- is no longer rare. Living with a child with food allergies can mean constant trips to doctors and specialists; painstaking preparation of foods to ensure no contamination occurs; battles with friends and family members who don′t understand the potential seriousness of an allergy; confusion over food labelling; concern about how to give your child a balanced diet while excluding allergenic foods; and anxiety when leaving your child in the care of others -- to name only some of the issues. As the parent of a child with multiple food allergies, Alison Orman understands the challenges. In this accessible book she explains what food allergies are, and gives sensible, practical advice on how to live with, and manage them. With the help of Dr Preeti Joshi (Paediatrician in Allergy and Immunology at The Children′s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney), she helps parents navigate common problems and work out long-term solutions to keep their child happy, healthy and well-fed. An indispensable book for any Australian parent who has struggled to care for their food-allergic child.