Food allergies are caused by the body’s immune-system reaction to harmless proteins found in particular foods. That response usually happens shortly after the food is eaten. Symptoms can range from very mild to life-threatening, so it’s important for parents and pediatricians to investigate if a food allergy is suspected. However, food sensitivities such as lactose intolerance – not involving the immune system – and reactions to dyes and preservatives may cause similar reactions.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of food allergies include hives or red spots that look like insect bites; itchy skin rashes; swelling; and breathing problems with or without sneezing, throat tightness and wheezing. Symptoms of upset stomach, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, are also fairly common. Blood circulation can be affected, causing pale skin, lightheadedness and loss of consciousness. Severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis, requires immediate epinephrine injection and other emergency medical attention.
Common Allergies
Cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat and tree nuts -- including cashews, pecans, pistachios and walnuts -- cause most food allergies in children. Allergies also may develop to meats, fruits, vegetables, other grains and seeds such as sesame. Peanut and nut allergies can cause the most severe reactions. Allergy to cow’s milk is the most common allergy in young children, because milk is the first foreign protein they ingest. The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that two or three of every 100 children younger than 3 years old are allergic to cow’s milk. Babies fed soy formula also develop allergies. Infants and toddlers allergic to cow’s milk may also react to soy protein, but they may be able to tolerate low-allergenic soy formulations.
Diagnosing It
If your child has allergic symptoms that seem connected to eating a certain food, remove that food from her diet and discuss the symptoms with your pediatrician. Diagnosing food allergies can be difficult because other illnesses cause similar symptoms. It’s also sometimes difficult to pinpoint the offending food. Your pediatrician may call in an allergist for a full battery of tests or suggest an elimination diet -- a process of removing suspicious foods, monitoring symptoms and then reintroducing foods one by one.
Outgrowing It
Children often outgrow food allergies before they start kindergarten. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 80 to 90 percent of young children’s egg, milk, wheat and soy allergies vanish by age 5 as immune systems mature. Some allergies persist, however – especially those likely to be most serious, including peanuts, tree nuts and seafood. Track your child’s food allergies with help from your pediatrician or allergist to see if they end.
Treating It
Eliminating the offending food – and any product that may contain that food -- is the primary treatment for food allergies. The situation becomes quite challenging with multiple food allergies. Your doctor can suggest food substitutes and alternatives. When there is accidental exposure, antihistamines can help control mild allergy symptoms such as itching and hives. But an epinephrine injection is required for severe allergic reactions, which are life-threatening emergencies. If your pediatrician believes there is any risk of severe allergic response, she will recommend that you always carry an epinephrine autoinjector device.
References
- American Academy of Pediatrics -- Healthy Children; How Do I Know If My Child Has a Food Allergy?; May 2011
- American Academy of Pediatrics -- Healthy Children; Common Food Allergies; June 2011
- American Academy of Pediatrics -- Healthy Children; Diagnosing Food Allergies in Children; May 2011
- American Academy of Pediatrics -- Healthy Children; Managing Food Allergies; June 2011
