Action plans critical to improve quality of life, avoid attacks for kids with food allergies in Illinois

Posted By: | Published On: | Food Allergies
Action plans critical to improve quality of life, avoid attacks for kids with food allergies in Illinois

Food allergies are more common in kids than in grown-ups. There is also a lot riding on the diagnosis and effective management of the trigger food, as the quality of a child’s life can have a big impact on his or her adulthood.

Consider how dangerous and disruptive symptoms such as wheezing and respiratory conditions, rashes and hives and digestive upset can affect your child’s academic and athletic performance. If your child is missing a lot of school days, he or she is also missing out on social interaction and the pleasure that comes with the school experience.

Dr. Noga Askenazi and the staff can work with you to develop an action plan. This plan should be distributed to the school, childcare providers, and any other caregivers. The plan should outline the problem foods, of which eight types of foods are responsible for 90 percent of pediatric allergic reactions:

  • Peanuts
  • Tree nuts such as almonds and pecans
  • Fish
  • Soy
  • Wheat
  • Milk
  • Shellfish such as crab and oysters
  • Eggs

Rules should be established to avoid these and other triggers. Additionally, a list of symptoms to watch out for should be included, with emergency contact and emergency response info. Caregivers should know how to use emergency and quick-relief medications, such as epinephrine delivery devices. These devices can truly be lifesavers if a kid suffers from anaphylactic shock when inadvertently exposed to the problem food.

Dr. Askenazi also prescribes medications such as antihistamines and bronchodilators to manage and relieve the symptoms tied to food allergies. With time, you may find your child’s symptoms are becoming less severe. They may even go away. In fact, it’s estimated about 80 percent of those kids with milk, soy or wheat allergies will outgrow them by the time they’re 5 years old.

Advanced Allergy & Asthma Associates and Food Allergy Center of Illinois is here to help you and your child in the here and now. To develop that all-important emergency response plan the correct trigger food must be identified. You can’t avoid the food until you know for sure what that the offending substance is, and that diagnosis can be made by closely looking at your kids food allergies symptoms, medical history, and by potentially ordering a skin test, blood test, and/or a food challenge. To identify the trigger food, such challenges must be performed in a safe and controlled environment. To schedule an appointment, call the leading specialist in kids food allergies in Illinois at (847) 888-8802.

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Advanced Allergy & Asthma Associates

Meredith Cirrincione | Dr. Noga Askenazi

Amy Schack, a distinguished board-certified Physician Associate, brings a wealth of expertise to patient care. Specializing in allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, asthma, and rashes, Amy is renowned for her commitment to excellence and compassionate approach. With a background in immediate care and orthopedics, she holds a Master's in Physician Assistant studies from Midwestern University and a Bachelor of Science from Northern Illinois University. A member of esteemed professional associations, including the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Association of PAs in Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, Amy Schack instills confidence, ensuring you can trust her unwavering dedication to your health and well-being.


Meredith Cirrincione is a board certified Physician Assistant and specializes in treating allergies, with a focus on asthma, rashes, environmental allergies, chemical and food allergies. She holds a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies from The Chicago Medical School - Rosalind Franklin University of Health Sciences. She is a Fellow member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants, and the Association of PAs in Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. She likes to approach things holistically. She is a strong patient advocate and adored by her patients. She enjoys singing, reading, cooking, and the great outdoors.


Dr. Noga Askenazi is a nationally recognized asthma and allergy specialist who is board certified in pediatric and adult allergy. Her areas of special interest are innovative treatment of rashes, sinusitis, food allergies, asthma and immune disorders. She was past President of the ISAAI (Illinois Society of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology), works on state and national committees for advancement of the allergy field and is a consultant for Advocate, Ascension Health, Northwestern amongst other health care systems. Her joy is helping patients reach their goals after together determining best treatments. Her staff and patients are a chosen family, and she invests in their happiness. She enjoys gardening, biking and cooking to good music.


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