One of the most common food allergies in children is an allergy to peanuts. According to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, the incidence of peanut allergy in children doubled between 1997 and 2002. The symptoms of a food allergy can vary from mild to severe, and they can certainly include a red rash to the cheeks.
Sources of Peanuts
Peanuts are present in many of the foods we eat. Peanuts can be found in sauces, such as gravy and hot sauce; in sweets, like cookies and chocolate; in egg rolls; and in specialty pizzas. It is also important to remember that a child may exhibit cross reactivity to tree nuts. This means that they can develop an allergic reaction when exposed to nuts like walnuts and cashews.
Allergic Reaction
Allergic reactions develop as a result of exposure to an allergen. When this happens, the body produces an antibody, called IgE. The next time the body encounters the allergen, IgE levels increase and trigger a massive release of histamine, the molecule responsible for the signs and symptoms of the allergic response.
Symptoms of Allergy
Allergic responses to peanuts can occur within minutes of ingesting peanut containing food products. The symptoms of a peanut allergy include skin reactions, such as rashes, swelling, and hives in any part of the body including the face, the trunk and the extremities; difficulty breathing, with chest tightening, wheezing and cough; runny nose; and itching around the mouth and lips. The symptoms of anaphylaxis, or a severe allergic reaction, include narrowing of the airways, a drop in blood pressure, swelling of the throat, and loss of consciousness.
Other Causes
There are other potential causes for a red rash in the cheek of your child. Viral infections can cause red rashes anywhere in the body. In particular, parvovirus B19 causes erythema infectiosum, or fifth disease, which produces a characteristic slapped-cheek appearing rash on the face of affected children. Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, a chronic skin condition that causes dry, scaly skin patches can also appear as red rashes on the face of children. Insect bites to the face can also cause redness of the cheeks, which can then progress into cellulitis, a bacterial infection of the skin.
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