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Food Allergy Facts Need More Focus

THURSDAY, Aug. 6 (HealthDay News) -- More than two-thirds of U.S. adults mistakenly believe that daily medicine can be taken to prevent a food allergy reaction, according to a survey that found a widespread lack of knowledge and awareness about food allergy among the general public.

The online survey of 2,148 adults also found that nearly half of respondents incorrectly believed that there is a cure for food allergy. More than 40 percent wrongly said that life-threatening allergic reactions could be prevented through means other than strict allergen avoidance, the researchers noted.

"The public's food allergy knowledge and awareness is critical to the safety of children with food allergy, especially since 76 percent of food allergy-related deaths follow consumption of foods outside of the home. Food allergy is a growing concern, affecting an estimated 6 percent to 8 percent of children in the United States," study author Dr. Ruchi S. Gupta, of Children's Memorial Research Center in Chicago, said in a news release from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.