'Take Action, Prevent Reactions' at FAAN's Annual Food Allergy C...( FAIRFAX Va. Feb. 20 -- Registration ...),Health

FAIRFAX, Va., Feb. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Registration for the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network's (FAAN) 16th annual Food Allergy Conferences is now open. Anyone who has a food allergy or takes care of someone with a food allergy will benefit from learning how to "Take Action, Prevent Reactions."

The conferences will be held in Baltimore, Md., on March 28, in Rosemont, Ill., on April 18, and in Tarrytown, N.Y., on May 9. The prevalence of food allergies among children under age 18 is on the rise, according to a study released last fall by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that showed an 18 percent increase between 1997 and 2007. Whether attendees have been living with food allergies for years or are dealing with a new diagnosis, these conferences will help.

FAAN's conferences offer insight on the most recent research findings about food allergy as well as enhanced discussion and networking among medical leaders in the field, caregivers, teachers, child care providers, families, and school staff. There are even special sessions for teens (ages 11 and up), nurses, and registered dietitians at the conference. Attendees will learn how to take action to prevent reactions from leading experts in the field as well as others who are living with food allergies. Topics will include:

• Causes and symptoms of food-allergic reactions
• How food allergies are diagnosed
• Strategies for avoiding reactions
• How and when to use epinephrine
• How to eat well with food allergies
• How to be prepared for an allergic emergency
• Tips for dining out with food allergies
• Ways to prepare a child to manage food allergies
• Latest news on food allergy research.

"These conferences provide a unique opportunity to not only learn the latest i
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