New Will Smith Movie, Hitch, Reveals Common Food Allergy Threat Will Smith character, the date doctor, unaware of food allergy symptoms FAIRFAX, Va., Feb. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Brought to life on the big screen in the newly released movie, Hitch, is a common portrayal of person who is unaware of his food allergy and the symptoms of an allergic reaction. According to The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), an estimated 11 million Americans suffer from food allergies and recognizing the symptoms and seeking immediate treatment is critical. In the movie, Will Smith's character, Alex Hitchens, experiences an allergic reaction while in a restaurant. He is explaining that his throat is scratchy and believes it to be attributed to a stressful dating situation. Another patron in the restaurant clearly identifies it as a food allergy. Smith's character responds with another common response, "It is not that serious." He goes on to discover that his eyes are puffy, his breathing is labored, and that he has broken out in hives. Like many Americans, he does not take food allergies seriously. He ends up in a stressful situation, racing to the drugstore for over-the-counter medication when he may actually need epinephrine available only by prescription. The movie is a light-hearted view of the trials and tribulations of dating. However, in real life, food allergies are no laughing matter. Food allergy reactions result in more than 30,000 emergency department admissions each year. It is estimated that between 150 and 200 people die annually from anaphylaxis to food; many are children and young adults. "We hope not only does Hitch "get the girl," but he also needs to go see an allergist. He shows many of signs a major food allergic reaction. The next one could be even worse." said Anne Munoz-Furlong, Founder & CEO of FAAN. "It can be funny to watch in a movie, but if you are ever with someone experiencing a food allergic reaction it can be quite frightening. For those with food allergies, it is important to seek medical treatment immediately and to carry their epinephrine at all times." About food allergies A food allergy occurs when the immune system mistakenly believes that a harmless substance, in this case a food item, is harmful. In its attempt to protect the body, it creates specific IgE antibodies to that food. The next time the individual eats that food, the immune system releases massive amounts of chemicals and histamines in order to protect the body. These chemicals trigger a cascade of allergic symptoms that can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, or cardiovascular system. Eight foods account for 90% of all reactions in the United States: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (walnuts, almonds, pistachios, etc.), wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish (lobster, shrimp, etc.). There is no cure for food allergy. Strict avoidance of the allergy-causing food is the only way to prevent a reaction. About FAAN The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) is a Virginia-based non-profit organization representing the estimated 11 million Americans who have a food allergy. Established in 1991, FAAN's mission is to increase awareness, to provide education and advocacy, and to advance research on behalf of all those affected by food allergies and anaphylaxis. For more information, visit the FAAN Web site at http://www.foodallergy.org/ or call (800) 929-4040. To reach a board-certified allergist contact, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology or the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. DATASOURCE: The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network CONTACT: Eileen Sexton of The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, +1-703-563-3052 Web site: http://www.foodallergy.org/

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