More kids than ever suffer from food allergies

Having an EpiPen at schools could save lives

HOUSTON – As a growing number of kids suffer from potentially deadly food allergies, whether or not a school has an EpiPen on hand, could be the difference between life or death.

"He's had severe food allergies since he was a baby. They sent us for allergy testing when he was 13 months old and it came up with peanut allergy and egg allergy," mother Karen Lee said.

Now the mother of a 6-year-old with severe food allergies, peanuts are still a big worry.

"Even last year, he was half-day kindergarten, so we didn't have to worry about lunch at school. He ate lunch at home," said Lee.

However, moving a grade up comes with great concern.

About 150 people die every year from an allergic reaction to food. More kids now than ever have food allergies to monitor. For that reason, EpiPens, that contain a life saving dose of epinephrine are more important than ever.

"This just gives you a little extra dose, quickly, and helps reverse the processes that get set in motion when your immune system overreacts to an allergen," said Dr. Daniel Scherzer.