Food allergies in American children seem to be on the rise, now affecting about 3 million kids, according to the first federal study of the problem.

Experts said that might be because parents are more aware and quicker to have their kids checked out by a doctor.

About 1 in 26 children had food allergies last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Wednesday. That’s up from 1 in 30 kids in 1997.

The 18 percent increase is significant enough to be considered more than a statistical blip, said Amy Branum of the CDC, the study’s lead author.

Nobody knows for sure what’s driving the increase. A doubling in peanut allergies — noted in earlier studies — is one factor, some experts said. Also, children seems to be taking longer to outgrow milk and egg allergies than they did in decades past.
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The academy offers a checklist of tips and a sample food allergy action plan to keep communication flowing. Both can be downloaded at no cost at www.aaaai.org.

Here’s a short list the academy shared to start parents on the right path:

• Inform the school cafeteria, teachers and other staff, including the school nurse, what foods your child must avoid.
• Pack bag lunches.
• Send safe snacks to school anytime the classroom is having a party.
• Advocate “no eating” policies on buses and in other settings where children are not supervised.
• Be aware of the expiration dates on self-injectable epinephrine.
• Keep in contact with your allergist to make sure all medicine is current and replaced prior to expiration.
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