Original article by Sydney Lupkin | ABC News Blogs – Wed, May 8, 2013 4:22 PM EDT. Reposted for content related to the allergy and anaphylaxis community for Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. To view the original article, click here.

Could Sucking Your Baby’s Pacifier Cut Allergy Risk?

We’ve all seen it. A pacifier tumbles out of a crying baby’s mouth and hits the floor with a wet thump.

Maybe it bounces once or twice.

Some parents throw it right in the trash. Others boil it. Some just give it a rinse in the sink.

In honor of May’s Food Allergy Awareness initiatives, Allergic Living has created a poster with the critical and life-saving steps to take during a food allergy emergency.

Click the image below to download the poster! Don’t forget to share with friends, schools, workplaces and family members. Education is the best way to spread awareness.

In an emergency, wearing a medical ID bracelet or necklace can mean the difference in getting the appropriate care needed. If you have a severe allergy, be smart, wear a medical ID.

Each year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) declares May to be “National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month”. It’s a peak season for asthma and allergy sufferers, and a perfect time to educate your patients, family, friends, co-workers and others about these diseases.

Many asthma and allergy sufferers wear a medical ID bracelet or necklace in order to be able to communicate the condition during an emergency. This information is imperative to paramedic’s and everyday good Samaritan’s efforts to be able to help provide the care needed quickly and effectively.

American Medical ID provides top quality medical alert ID bracelets and necklaces with free engraving and fantastic customer service!

Some reactions children may experience with food allergies are hives, rash, itchiness and difficulty swallowing and breathing. While some reactions are relatively mild, they can become life-threatening in an instant. Medical ID bracelets will alert medics and caregivers as to a child’s allergies and allow for faster treatment. Medical alert bracelets for kids can help identify your child’s food allergies for others in an emergency situation.

Common food allergies include:

Peanut Allergies: Peanuts can be found in candies, cakes and many processed food items. Symptoms may be hives, itching, breathing difficulty and nausea.

Wheat Allergies: Wheat can be found in breads, cereals, pastas and snack foods. Hives, nausea, vomiting and difficulty breathing are common signs of a wheat allergy.

There is a common misconception that medical bracelets can seem like a tool to label individuals with allergies, diabetes, epilepsy and other medical conditions, but there is overwhelming evidence that medical bracelets can help save lives and prevent mishaps. If you are thinking about whether or not a medical bracelet is right for you, here are few things to keep in mind:

1. Diabetes:  Approximately 23.6 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes. This outrageous number accounts for 7.8% of the total U.S. population and yet a lot of the population does not know what diabetes is or how to help someone who has diabetes during an emergency. [4] Your custom intake of insulin can be printed on your medical ID.

It’s that time of year! Our kids are heading back to school and there is so much to do! I am sure many of you are scrambling to get your last minute supplies and new clothes before that first day.

We know it’s easy to get wrapped up in the simple things but there are many important things you can’t overlook before you send your child off. When searching for relevant and interesting information to include in our weekly Health Briefs, we couldn’t help but notice all of the awesome tips we have come across to help us prepare and most importantly, to keep our children safe when they start school.