THINK F.A.S.T: Do you know what to do if your child's friend has an allergic
reaction?

TORONTO, Oct 7 /CNW/ - Ontario's doctors and Anaphylaxis Canada are starting a dialogue and spreading the word about anaphylactic reactions caused by food. The groups want to better educate all parents about these life threatening allergies, how to prevent allergic reactions and what to do in an emergency.

Posters and pamphlets in doctor's offices across the province, will raise awareness about food allergies so that parents and friends can work together to avoid allergic reactions. In the event that a reaction occurs, the brochure highlights the "Think F.A.S.T." method of spotting the symptoms, which can start within minutes of coming into contact with an allergen.  F.A.S.T can include any of the following:

Face: itching, redness, swelling
Airway: trouble breathing, swallowing, speaking
Stomach: pain, vomiting, diarrhea
Total body: hives, rash, weakness, paleness, sense of doom, loss of consciousness

"With children settling into a new school year new friendships are formed and some of those friends may have severe food allergies," said Dr. Mark MacLeod, President of the Ontario Medical Association.  "We want to help educate parents, friends and relatives about the dangers, symptoms and emergency responses associated with food allergies and in turn, keep our children safe."

Recent Canadian research estimates that food allergies affect more than 2 million people. The most common allergens include:

- Peanut - Milk - Tree nuts (e.g. almond, cashew, hazelnut, pistachio)

- Sesame seeds - Wheat - Fish - Egg

- Shellfish (e.g. scallops, clams, lobster, shrimp) - Soy

"It's important to teach others about the roles they can play in helping food-allergic children participate safely in birthday parties, school events, sports and other activities," said Laurie Harada, Executive Director of Anaphylaxis Canada and mother of a child with multiple food allergies.

For further information:

OMA Media Relations at [phone] or toll-free at 1-800-268-7215 ext. 2862 or online at www.oma.org. Contact Anaphylaxis Canada through Christopher Holcroft of Empower Consulting at 416-996-0767.