Ray Romano has a severe peanut allergy, and even though "Everyone Loves Raymond," we're sure as a kid he was teased about it more than once. Now that twice as many kids as ever have food allergies (8 percent, according to the American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology), reports of being bullied about it also have increased. In school, where 80 percent of food bullying happens, more than 25 percent of kids with food allergies say they've been taunted or, for example, pelted with food that triggers the allergy. This is not only psychologically damaging, it's life-threatening; anaphylactic shock — the most extreme reaction to a food allergen — can be deadly.

So, if your child has a food allergy, here's what we suggest you do to make sure there's no bullying and no serious health risk:

1. Kids are reluctant to mention being bullied; look for signs, such as bringing home a full lunchbox (they're skipping lunch); changes in eating and sleeping habits; fear of going to school; and depression.

2. If you suspect a problem, get your child talking; then talk to the school. Insist on a no-tolerance policy for bullying. Suggest a school assembly to teach kids about the dangers of food allergies.

3. Arm your child's teachers with the knowledge they need to keep your kid safe; and give your kid the tools, too — an EpiPen to stop an allergic reaction, and the words and confidence he or she needs to stand up to not-so-invincible bullies.


© 2012 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.