The Ultimate Parent’s Guide to Living Safely with Kids’ Food Allergies

Moms: Here’s What You Need to Know About New Hope for Food Allergies

Your child just had another allergic reaction. The fear is overwhelming. You read every label, plan every meal, inform every teach – and yet, still that constant question lingers: “am I doing enough?”

Before we dive into what’s new in food allergy treatments, let’s talk about what living with food allergies really feels like – especially through the eyes of a young advocate.

In a powerful episode of The Smartest Doctor in the Room, Dr. Dean Mitchell sat down with 12-year-old Zacky Munoz and his mother, Priscilla. Zacky has lived with severe food allergies his entire life, and his experience reflects the daily anxiety so many families know all too well.

 

“There’s definitely a lot of anxiety, especially dealing with food allergies,” Zacky shared. “The fear of, ‘Am I going to have an allergic reaction? What am I going to do? Is it safe? Those questions usually rush into my head if I ever eat out.”

 

 

His mom vividly recalls the first clue that something wasn’t right: “He was six months old when I was in the car with my mom. She gave him a banana and it touched his face. I saw him get hives immediately.” That moment changed everything.

But instead of retreating, Zacky has stepped up – becoming an advocate, content creator, and the namesake behind the Zacky Fast Act, a California bill expanding access to needle-free epinephrine in schools. His TikTok and Instagram channel, Zacky’s Universe, showcases the highs and lows of living with food allergies – and helps other kids feel less alone.

“I want to make life safer for kids with food allergies,” he said. “And one of the ways I do that is through awareness and advocacy.” 

Dr. Mitchell sees Zacky as a role model for other families navigating similar struggles, calling him a “future politician – honest, driven, and determined to make a difference.”

From Avoidance to Action: What’s New in Food Allergy Treatment

Avoidance used to be the entire strategy for “treating” food allergies. 

Stay away from peanuts, carry your EpiPen, pray that nothing slips through the cracks. That worked until it didn’t. And let’s be real – it never actually worked.

Today, that approach is outdated.

Modern food allergy treatment focuses on building tolerance, desensitization, and supporting immune resilience. There are now several life-changing food allergy treatments available.

Here’s what NYC moms need to know about the current food allergy treatments available:

SUBLINGUAL IMMUNOTHERAPY (SLIT)

Mitchell Medical Group in New York City is a strong proponent of this gentler, at-home treatment approach. “It’s different than OIT, where kids eat small amounts of the allergen. With SLIT, we use allergy drops under the tongue. It’s much safer and easier for families,” Dr. Mitchell explains in his podcast episode with Zacky.

SLIT helps train the immune system to tolerate allergens like peanuts, dairy, and tree nuts – without the risk of severe reactions during treatment.

 

XOLAIR INJECTIONS

FDA-approved in early 2024, Xolair (omalizumab) is now being used as a treatment option for food allergies. It works by reducing allergic sensitivity and increasing tolerance thresholds. In fact, Xolair significantly reduces the likelihood of severe reactions, such as anaphylaxis, triggered by accidental exposure to different food allergens.

 

Dr. Mitchell says,” For kids with multiple food allergies, I often recommend a combination of Xolair to raise the threshold and SLIT to train the immune system.”

XOLAIR is not a cure for food allergies but it can greatly diminish the likelihood of individuals with severe food allergies experiencing acute reactions upon ingesting even minute traces of allergens. But to benefit from the protection of XOLAIR, you must continuously take the drug. This is why Dr. Mitchell recommends combining it with SLIT which will help you build a tolerance to the food allergen over time.

 

NEFFY NASAL SPRAY

Say goodbye to painful injections and hello to NEFFY, the revolutionary FDA-approved nasal spray for severe allergic reactions. This FDA-approved device could change how millions manage life-threatening food allergies. This needle-free epinephrine offers a less intimidating alternative to traditional auto-injectors like the EpiPen.

“It’s a game changer for school nurses and teenagers who might hesitate with a shot,” said Dr. Mitchell in his discussion about the FDA’s approval of Neffy with Zacky and his mom. “It’s fast, effective, and doesn’t require stabbing your leg. That’s a big deal for kids.”

 

THE MITCHELL MEDICAL APPROACH

We offer all of the treatments listed above as options to help your child find relief from their food allergy(ies).

For over 20 years, Dr. Mitchell has treated patients suffering from all types of allergies, including food allergies. In 2006, he published Dr. Dean Mitchell’s Allergy and Asthma Solution: The Ultimate Program for Reversing Your Symptoms One Drop at a Time, presenting his cutting-edge 5-step program for reversing allergies using sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT).

At the time, while this treatment was widely accepted in Europe, it was still relatively unknown in the United States. He was one of the first U.S. doctors to utilize sublingual immunotherapy to treat allergies. Now he combines SLIT with additional options such as XOLAIR and NEFFY to help kids who are suffering from severe food allergies.

If you’re in the NYC area or Long Island and looking for a pediatric allergist, Dr. Mitchell should be your first call. Mitchell Medical Group has an office in Midtown Manhattan and Rockville Centre on Long Island.

Living with Food Allergies

It’s hard enough managing food allergies at home. Now add life to the mix: restaurant meals, crowded classrooms, birthday parties – the list goes on. You’re constantly calculating risk for your child. And you’re not alone.

Over 6 million children in the U.S. have food allergies, with NYC among the highest due to its population density and food diversity.

But why are food allergies becoming more common in the first place?

Dr. Christopher Warren, Assistant Professor of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern Medical School, joined Dr. Dean Mitchell on The Smartest Doctor in the Room podcast to help answer that question. According to Dr. Warren, part of the answer lies in our environment. The modern world has become so sterile that our immune system is undertrained in childhood. “The developing immune system is like a puppy – it needs training, or it ends up barking at everything,” he said. Without exposure to natural bacteria and microbes early in life, the immune system often misfires.

He added, “There are a lot of kids who are being raised in environments where they are not getting enough microbial exposure to calibrate their immune system properly.” Add to that rising rates of C-section births, antibiotic use in infancy, and the changing microbiome – and you’ve got a recipe for allergy prevalence.

His perspective supports what Dr. Mitchell sees daily in his Manhattan practice: families struggling not just with reactions, but with why this is happening in the first place. That’s why it’s not enough to treat symptoms – we need to strengthen the immune system from the ground up.

 

What to Pack in an Allergy-Safe Emergency Kit

Preparation can make all the difference. Here’s what every allergy parent should keep on hand:

• Neffy Nasal Epinephrine or EpiPen (with up-to-date expiration dates)
• Antihistamines for mild reactions
• A written Allergy Action Plan provided by your doctor
• Wet wipes to clean surfaces
• Safe snacks to avoid accidental exposures when out and about

As Zacky’s mom shared on the podcast: “We have to be very careful, but we’ll also try new places because at the end of the day. I want to enjoy some delicious food too.” That balance between vigilance and life enjoyment begins with readiness.

 

Navigating School with Food Allergies

Zacky’s family knows that educating school staff is essential. “From early on, we had to teach everyone how to use an epinephrine injector.” Priscilla said.

Whether your child is in preschool or middle school, consider taking these steps:

• Meet with the school nurse and provide a clear emergency plan
• Create a 504 Plan that outlines accommondations, like an allergy-safe lunch table
• Send safe treats for birthday parties to prevent your child from feeling left out

Don’t underestimate how empowering it is to include your child in these conversations. As Zacky shared, “I want to make change . . . by spreading awareness and advocating on a local level.”

 

Eating Out Without Anxiety

Dining out can be one of the most stressful parts of managing food allergies – but it doesn’t have to be. Apps like Spokin, AllergyEats, or even Zacky’s videos showing his experiences in restaurants can be life-changing.

He’s posted videos “about me just going to different restaurants, how it is to order with food allergies.” Seeing kids like Zacky confidently navigate restaurants can inspire others to do the same.

What you can do:

• Call ahead and speak directly with the chef or manager
• Ask if they use shared fryers or prep spaces
• Bring a food allergy card to hand to servers
• Stay vigilant, but celebrate safe dining wins as a family

 

Allergy-Friendly Snacks & Meals Kids Will Love

One of the hardest parts for moms? Finding food that’s safe and fun.

Here are some creative, allergy-conscious ideas:

• Sunflower seed butter and banana roll-ups (peanut-free)
• Coconut milk yogurt with fruit (dairy-free)
• Homemade granola bars with oat flour and dried fruits (nut-free)
• “Cheesy” popcorn using nutritional yeast (dairy-free, gluten-free)
• Frozen banana bites dipped in allergy-safe chocolate

Meal prep doesn’t have to feel like a burden. Involve your child in the kitchen – it builds confidence and safety awareness.

 

Supporting Your Child Emotionally

Food allergies aren’t just physical – they can take an emotional toll. Many children feel isolated, anxious, or “different” because of their restrictions. Some even avoid social situations like birthday parties or field trips out of fear.

Zacky’s journey is a powerful reminder of the strength kids can build through advocacy and confidence. As he shared on the podcast: “I think the hardest part about living with food allergies is . . . there’s not enough education and awareness and food allergies and its severity.” 

Ways to support your child emotionally:

• Validate their fears – let them know their concerns are real and important
• Celebrate small wins, like ordering safely at a restaurant
• Connect with other families through local support groups or online communities
• Encourage them to speak up – whether at school, with friends, or even through their own advocacy

When kids feel seen, heard, and supported, they become empowered to manage their allergies – not be defined by them.

 

Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone – and You’re Not Powerless

Raising a child with food allergies can feel isolating, exhausting, and at times, terrifying. But you don’t have do navigate it on your own – and you don’t have to settle for a life ruled by avoidance and fear.

New treatments like SLIT, Xolair, and Neffy are changing what’s possible. Advocates like Zacky are changing the conversation. And allergy specialists like Dr. Dean Mitchell are offering real hope for healing right in NYC.

At Mitchell Medical Group, we believe that every child deserves more than just a safe life – they deserve a full one.

If you’re ready to explore real solutions for your child’s food allergies, schedule a consultation with Dr. Mitchell today. 

You’ve already done the hard part – keeping your child safe. Now let’s help them thrive.

About  Dr. Dean Mitchell, M.D.

Dr. Dean Mitchell M.D. is a Board-Certified Immunologist and Allergist based out of NYC. He graduated from the Sackler School of Medicine and completed training at the Robert Cooke Allergy Institute in New York City. He is also a Professor of Clinical Immunology at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, a fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, and the author of Allergy and Asthma Solution: The Ultimate Program for Reversing Your Symptoms One Drop at a Time. Dr. Dean Mitchell, M.D. has also been featured in The New York Times, The Huffington Post, Fitness Magazine, Dr. Oz, and News NY 1. Dr. Mitchell also hosts the podcast The Smartest Doctor in the Room – a combination of lively, personal, and in-depth interviews with top healthcare specialists.