According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, between 4 and 8 percent of children have food allergies. One way that an allergy might present itself is through a red, raised or itchy rash. Not all rashes are caused by food allergies. In many cases, an irritation to a nonfood substance or a viral or bacteria illness can cause a rash.
Symptoms of Food Allergy
An allergy to food can cause a rash in some children. The rash can look like raised red welts called hives; a dry, itch rash called eczema; or an irritated rash around the mouth or in your child's diaper area. Other symptoms of a food allergy include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and nasal congestion. If your child has a severe allergy, he might experience life-threatening symptoms through anaphylactic shock. These include swelling of the mouth, tongue or throat; wheezing or other trouble breathing; and fainting. This is a medical emergency; call 911 immediately if you recognize these symptoms.
Testing For Food Allergy
Call your child's doctor if she is exhibiting mild symptoms of a food allergy. If you do not know what she might be allergic to, write down everything she eats to see if you can pinpoint what food is causing the reaction. Your child's doctor might recommend allergy testing if you cannot determine the cause of her rash. Testing might take the form of applying small amounts of potential allergens to your child's skin, a blood test or eliminating then re-introducing the possible culprits. If your child has a severe or life-threatening reaction to an unknown food, the doctor will test her right away to determine the cause.
Treating Allergic Rashes
Most of the time, mild rashes go away in time on their own. Your child's doctor might recommend an oral or topical antihistamine to reduce itching. A cool oatmeal bath can bring relief to hot, itchy skin. A dry rash can be soothed by a non-irritating lotion. Once you know what food is causing your child's rash, avoid it. Read food packages to check for hidden ingredients. A more serious allergic reaction might necessitate carrying an emergency dose of epinephrine in case your child is accidentally exposed to the allergen again.
Other Types of Rashes
Food doesn't cause all rashes. If your child is taking any medication and develops a rash, mention it to her doctor. Even if she's taken the medication before without incident, she might suddenly become allergic to it. Allergic rashes can also be caused by poisonous plants, such as poison ivy, and the fragrances and additives in laundry detergents. Some childhood illnesses, including chickenpox and measles, can cause a rash. In some cases, an untreated strep throat infection can cause a rash once called scarlet fever. Any unexplainable rash should be reported to your child's doctor for evaluation.
