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Press Release Source: Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network
FAAN Launches Seafood Allergy Registry - Aim to Learn More About Allergies to Fish and Shellfish
Wednesday January 21, 11:26 am ET
FAIRFAX, Va., Jan. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) today announced the launch of the Seafood Allergy Registry, a survey that will allow scientists to learn more about allergic reactions to fish and shellfish.
"This registry is open to anyone with an allergy to any type of fish or shellfish," said Scott Sicherer, MD, of Mt. Sinai, one of the study's architects. "We are seeking to learn as much as possible about the kinds of seafood to which individuals are allergic, how it affects them and at what point in their lives it begins. Of special interest are adults with the condition because we would like to learn more about how they avoid severe reactions."
Co-investigator Tori Stivers, MS, of the University of Georgia's Marine Extension Service, added: "We hope the results of the survey help not only seafood allergic individuals, but the seafood and food industry, especially in the areas of food labeling and product development."
Severe allergic reactions (called anaphylaxis) to foods cause about 30,000 visits to Emergency Departments and are responsible for about 200 deaths each year. Allergies to fish and shellfish are believed to account for about a third of anaphylactic reactions to food in the United States.
Surveys will initially be sent to FAAN's 26,000 members and allergists who are members of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology or the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Additional forms will be available to download from FAAN's website.
FAAN and Mt. Sinai have previously collaborated on a number of significant research efforts in the field of food allergy including a similar registry of 5,100 peanut and tree nut allergic individuals. That registry provided a wealth of clinical information on the subject.
Food allergy affects about 7 million Americans of all ages, most of whom are allergic to 8 major allergens: fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts (almond, walnut, pecans, etc.), milk, eggs, wheat and soy.
About FAAN
The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) is a Virginia-based, nonprofit organization with more than 26,000 members in the United States and worldwide. Established in 1991, FAAN's mission is to raise public awareness, to provide advocacy and education, and to advance research on behalf of all those affected by food allergies and anaphylaxis. For more information, visit the FAAN Web site at [url="http://www.foodallergy.org"]www.foodallergy.org[/url] or call 800-929-4040. Contact the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology or the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology to reach a board-certified allergist.
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Source: Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network
We don't have a shellfish allergy in our , but I asked a woman I work with if she wanted to fill out the survey as she is allergic to shellfish. She never became anaphylactic, however. She won't fill it out. She said every time she fills out something, she gets bombarded with mail. She's also diabetic and is on a million lists. Of course, the medical information bureau and her doctor probably had something to do with that.
Oh well, I tried.