Imagine for a moment that a quick trip to the grocery store can never be possible again.

The problem isn't the squirmy toddler and overtired kindergartner you must appease. The monumental task is that you must check every single label of every single item that goes into your cart.

Imagine that a fun birthday party for your child's friend turns into you baking the cupcakes. You can't buy them. You must make them to ensure your child can have a safe treat.

Imagine having to inform a preschool teacher that your child cannot, under any circumstances, eat or come into contact with peanut butter or anything made with peanut butter. It's not because he has a distaste for it but because if he comes into contact with it … he could die.

You deliver this information gravely and hope you don't sound overly dramatic. You would give anything not to have to utter those words.

Finally, imagine that none of these tasks and duties is the difficult part. The difficult part is sending your child off to school each day knowing that an innocent treat or a friendly moment of sharing poses a real threat to his life.

This is the heavy burden faced daily by parents of children with food allergies.

Eight percent of all children in the United States have a food allergy, according to recent research. This roughly translates into one in every 25 school-age children. Chances are, you know a child with a specific food allergy.

The most offending foods are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat and shellfish. Peanut allergies are showing a recent steady increase. These allergies are a serious and sometimes life-threatening health issue, and there is no cure.

Even more frightening, there's no way to know whether a child will have a mild or life-threatening reaction.

While many children will outgrow some of their food allergies, many will not – especially if they have a moderate to severe peanut allergy. When the teen years approach, parents encounter new challenges as their children's boundaries expand and they inevitably take more risks.

Unfortunately, studies show that more than 50 percent of deaths from severe allergic reactions to foods occur in teens, according to studies.

Parents can really never let their guard down, and they know that an EpiPen must always be on hand. In addition, anyone who cares for the child should carry one.

The only way to avoid an allergic reaction is strict avoidance of the offending food. Parents, schools and all caregivers should have an emergency action plan in case a child does have an allergic reaction.

You'll find a clear and concise action plan at http://foodallergy.org, the website for the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. I encourage all parents, health care providers and school officials to visit this site. It's a wonderful resource for families and medical professionals regarding food allergies.

I can only imagine how paralyzing this threat must be. And yet, these parents must march on, checking labels and baking "safe" treats, all with smiles on their faces so their children never feel they are a burden.

These parents become the expert and tireless advocates for their children.

So, the next time you're asked not to bring peanut products to school or the next time a mother of your child's friend inquires about the ingredients of that baked cookie, I implore you to not sigh at the inconvenience. Instead, imagine if it was your child.

Save the peanut butter for home, where your child is fortunate enough to be able to enjoy it without the threat of anaphylactic shock.

Let us all show compassion and work together to keep our children safe.

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Dr. Melissa Arca is a mother of two, a writer and a blogger. Her blog, www.confessionsofadrmom.com, is where her worlds of doctor and mom come together, and it is featured on The Bee's blog and community news network, Sacramento Connect.

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