FAAM - Food Allergy Alliance of the MidSouth

We are sad to announce that our 2024 Teal Pumpkin Trunk-or-Treat has been canceled due to lack of registrations. We know there is a desire for local allergy-friendly events and look forward to planning more in the future. We wish you all a safe & happy Halloween!

Our 2024 Teal Pumpkin Trunk-or-Treat is next Friday, November 1st. Have you registered yet?? Please register ASAP so we know how many ghouls’n’goblins to plan for.

👻 faamidsouth.org/tot24

Check out our updated Epinephrine Choices & Features page updated with the newest option on the market: faamidsouth.org/epi You can also download and print our new brochure!

One of our beloved events has returned! Registration is open for our 2024 Teal Pumpkin Trunk-or-Treat! This food-free trunk-or-treat will take place on Friday, November 1, 2024 at 6:00pm.

👻 Register here: faamidsouth.org/tot24
🎃 If you're not already a member, join FAAM while you're on the website since the event is for members of FAAM only.

2024 Teal Pumpkin Trunk-or-Treat Food-Free Trunk-or-Treat for FAAM Members

Stop by our Teal Pumpkin Project table today at the Memphis Botanic Garden Halloween Hike for a non-food treat. We have fun goodies in our teal pumpkin patch! 👻

Thank you to the students of University of Memphis Student Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for volunteering so we could participate in this amazing event!

We're excited to participate in the Memphis Botanic Garden Halloween Hike again! Look for our Teal Pumpkin Project table near the Sensory Garden. We're handing out non-food treats for all the ghouls & goblins! 👻

Halloween Hike at the Garden 2024 Tickets | Memphis Botanic Garden Take a hike through the Garden for some not-so-spooky fun at the Memphis Boo-tanic Garden.

FDA Approves First Nasal Spray for Treatment of Anaphylaxis

ARS Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to empowering at-risk patients and caregivers to better protect patients from severe allergic reactions that could lead to anaphylaxis, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved neffy® (epinephrine nasal spray) 2 mg for the treatment of Type I Allergic Reactions, including anaphylaxis, in adults and children who weigh ≥30 kg (66 lbs.).

neffy® is expected to be available in the United States within eight weeks of FDA approval for patients who weigh 66 lbs. or greater. In the interim, patients can visit buff.ly/4dCUP22 to register for product updates, including when telemedicine services will be available. ARS Pharma plans to file a supplemental NDA application with the FDA for neffy (epinephrine nasal spray) for children who weigh under 66 lbs. by the end of the third quarter of 2024.

The shelf life of neffy® is 30 months and allows for temperature exposure up to 122°F (50°C), making it a potentially effective treatment if left in a car or outside for a length of time. If accidentally frozen, neffy can be thawed and administered.

Congratulations to ARS Pharma! This is an exciting day for the allergy community!

FDA Press Release:
https://buff.ly/3Ak9SQ9

ARS Pharma Press Release:
https://buff.ly/3LXf52K

Congrats to Daher Asthma and Allergy Clinic on 6 years! Thank you for supporting our food allergy community.

Registration for our 8th Food-Free Egg Hunt is open! Please register so we will have enough supplies for everyone. This event is for members of FAAM. Not a member? Join for free on our website!

Food Free Egg Hunt Food-Free Egg Hunt for FAAM Members

The news of Xolair as a treatment option for individuals diagnosed with multiple IgE-mediated food allergies has excited many this week. It is important to note that Xolair is not a cure for food allergies and does not prevent or stop anaphylaxis.

We asked Dr. Jay Lieberman, FAAM's Medical Advisor, to weigh in on the news and he shared the following points:

▶ Xolair is not a cure and patients will still have to avoid their allergens, but it raises the threshold of reactivity for most patients (which can help achieve most people’s goals if they start OIT).

▶ Allergists have trusted and prescribed Xolair for about 20 years for other conditions. The unanswered questions we have include how long patients will have to be on Xolair and if it will be used as a bridge to OIT by some physicians.

▶ I think it is reasonable for anyone with a food allergy to at least discuss the option of Xolair with their allergist.

Read the full press releases:
www.gene.com/media/press-releases/15019/2024-02-16/fda-approves-xolair-as-first-and-only-me

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-medication-help-reduce-allergic-reactions-multiple-foods-after-accidental

Home MemphisAllergist.com home of Gregory Hanissian, MD, providing excellence in allergy & asthma care for Memphis the Mid-South

Flovent HFA and Flovent Diskus fluticasone inhalers are no longer being made. What you need to know if your child uses one of these products: https://community.aafa.org/blog/flovent-hfa-and-flovent-diskus-asthma-medicines-being-discontinued

👉 There are “authorized generic” versions of the HFA and diskus products – these are the exact same formulation and dosing, just without the branding.

👉 There are other medicine options available that may work for your child – consult your child's doctor about the best option.

👉 The switch to generic could impact how or if the medicine is covered by insurance. Talk to your child's insurance provider to see if the generic will be covered and if your copay will change.

❗It is important to continue your child's asthma or EoE treatment, so talk with their doctor as soon as possible about the best option going forward.

Teal Pumpkin treats spotted at local Target and Wal-Mart stores. Where else have you found teal pumpkins in the 901?

Some products claim to be "school safe" or "classroom safe" - you can't rely on these terms to mean there are no top allergens! You have to read the full ingredients label. Make sure teachers and room parents know this too!

Annual reminder that different sizes of candies can have different ingredients.

Ex: full-sized Laffy Taffy has a different formulation than the small Laffy Taffy. The large bars contain egg.

Share examples you've seen 👇

FYI for those who use Flovent.

🚨 Do you use Flovent HFA or Discus? These asthma medicines are being discontinued at the end of December 2023. Work with your doctor and insurance now to find an alternative. More info and tips on our blog: https://community.aafa.org/blog/flovent-hfa-and-flovent-diskus-asthma-medicines-being-discontinued

In memory of Chef Michael Chiarello, we'd like to share this graphic of possible symptoms of anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.

Epi first, epi fast! Epinephrine is the first line of treatment for anaphylaxis. Do not delay treatment as that can put a person at risk for severe anaphylaxis or death.

Take 2️⃣! Always carry your epinephrine with you. Prescriptions come with 2️⃣ auto-injectors in case one fails or a second dose is needed. Do not separate your prescription.

Discuss your epinephrine options with your provider. FAAM’s Epi Choices & Features: faamidsouth.org/epi

Graphic courtesy of: Allergy & Asthma Network

Teal Pumpkin Project Add Your House

We’re honored that FAAM President, Kelley Barnett, was invited to speak at Memphis Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics annual breakfast. Participants will earn CEUs and learn more about food-centered anxiety in clients diagnosed with food allergy. We hope to see many local dietitians Monday morning!

Check out the Food Allergy Alliance of the Mid-South's recent blog post. FAAM is still swimming and we need you!
Read: faamidsouth.org/faamblog

Know your options! Check out our online resource, complete with downloadable & linked PDF, and talk with your physician about which option is best for you.

🔗 www.faamidsouth.org/epichoices

Attention: FAAM has a new phone number. Call us to schedule a community presentation, for support after your food allergy diagnosis, or another request we may be able to help you with. Our website has all of our info and services offered. Check us out!

Contact Connect with FAAM

FARE Food Allergy Summit 2023 Travel Grant Application Please click the link to complete this form.