2010 The Year for Allergy Intelligence
Executive Director Mireille Schwartz was recently interviewed by Los Angeles Magazine.
LA Magazine: Why is this the year of Allergy Intelligence?
Mireille Schwartz: An empowered, educated food allergic individual is his/her own best defense. New, emerging strategies and prophylactic medication allow each person to manage their own health better and work with their Immunologist to create Action Plans they can each live with.
LA Mag: Why are we hearing that folks can indulge in mini-amounts of, say, peanut butter and build up a tolerance to cure themselves of allergic reactions?
MS: Patently untrue. There are studies in controlled environments – medical facilities – wherein test subjects can ingest miniscule amounts of a protein allergen and MAYBE increase their tolerance over time. These medical experiments are not designed to “cure” food allergy, rather the goal is to manage a severe anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergic reaction) by reducing the number of histamines released in an allergic crisis. I’m hearing good things about these studies, and time will tell how effective they are. For the time being my best personal advice is to strictly avoid food-allergens and hope that the body either outgrows the allergy or settles down and the allergic reaction becomes less severe. Always carry your Epi Pen and antihistamine, and practice with friends & family until you know how to utilize these life-saving tools.
LA Mag: Do you personally live with food allergy?
MS: I do and I don’t! (Laughs) I used to have a family member with severe food allergy to Peanuts and Tree Nuts, but with several years of strict management and avoidance our issue has settled down and gone away. The way my Board and I function is to design individualized strategies for food allergic Bay Area youths – what works for one person may not work for another. But we stick with it and customize comprehensive action plans for each and every child until we find a way that works for not only the youth but also for the entire family.
LA Mag: Do you feel compelled to provide this service or is it a labor of love?
MS: It’s what I was put on this earth to do. I can’t differentiate, but I know what you’re asking. And the answer is: both. Any one family I can help is reason enough to do what I do.
Executive Director Mireille Schwartz and Boardmember Damion Matthews