The extent of my food allergy knowledge used to be that my brother couldn’t have strawberries as we were growing up. I’d never really run into any other food allergy situations that would affect my immediate life.

Due to increasing prevalence, food allergies have become a more frequent topic of both discussion and concern. Food allergies affect up to eight percent of children.

And even a tiny bit of Play-Doh residue left on her hands or pushed underneath a fingernail has the potential to cause a big-time reaction. It didn’t – thank God. But that lesson did show me that I live in an ignorant bubble when it comes to food sensitivities and allergies – and I will never take for granted my kids’ normal digestive systems ever again.