Even though food allergies may appear to be more prevalent these days, the Centers for Disease Control estimates that just under 4 percent of children under the age of 18 have a food allergy. But a food allergy, which is as a specific immune response following exposure to a particular food or food additive, can potentially be dangerous and it can also greatly impact a family's well being and sense of safety. The good news is that most children outgrow their food allergies by the time they reach their toddler years. And thanks to the recent Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act, food manufacturers must clearly state on a product's label whether it contains the major food allergens.
Milk
Milk is the most common of all food allergies in children. Having a milk allergy is different from being lactose intolerant. When a child is allergic to milk, he is allergic to the proteins contained in milk, namely casein and whey. When he consumes milk or a food that contains milk products like cheese pizza, his immune system produces a variety of chemicals to protect him as the proteins are mistakenly believed to be dangerous invaders. Nausea, wheezing, a skin reaction, diarrhea and stomachaches are the most common milk allergy symptoms.
Eggs
Eggs are another common allergy in children. Most children who are allergic to eggs are allergic to the protein found in egg whites. Having an allergy to eggs requires careful label reading, but thanks to recent food label regulations, any food that contains eggs will have it clearly written on the product's package.
When a young child is allergic to eggs, her body produces an immune response, which can set off a host of respiratory, gastrointestinal and dermatological symptoms. Fortunately, most children who are allergic to eggs outgrow the allergy by the time they reach five years old.
Peanuts
Peanut allergies are one of the most common allergies in children. Even though they are technically a legume and not a nut, because their protein structure is similar to that of tree nuts, many children who are allergic to peanuts are also allergic to other nuts.
Reactions to peanuts can range from mild to very severe. In some rare cases, a young child can develop an allergic response just in reaction to breathing the peanut's airborne particles. But unlike many childhood allergies, peanut allergies are lifelong.
Wheat
Much attention has been made to wheat allergies in recent years because of the increased awareness of gluten, a protein found in many grains like wheat.
Symptoms of a wheat allergy include skin rashes, gastrointestinal and respiratory reactions. Since wheat is one of the most common food allergens, food manufacturers must label its presence on all food labels. Infants who are allergic to wheat can eat rice or oat cereal and older children must opt for wheat-free grain alternatives like corn, rice, oat, millet, quinoa or amaranth.
Soy
Soy, which is a product of soybeans, is another very common allergy in children. While most children will outgrow the allergy by the time they are three years old, it can persist through adulthood.
According to the Mayo Clinic, researchers have identified at least 15 possible allergens in soy protein, but exactly how soy protein causes an allergic reaction is still not understood.
Soy allergies symptoms are generally mild to moderate, resulting in respiratory, gastrointestinal and dermatological reactions.
Tree Nuts
Tree nut allergies are another very common allergy in children. Tree nuts exclude peanuts since peanuts are technically a legume but do include nuts like walnuts, cashews and almonds. The allergy is not specific to just one kind of nut, but rather all varieties, so parents are well-advised to avoid exposing their children to all kinds of tree nuts.
Unlike other childhood food allergies, which can disappear once a child is older, tree nut allergies are most often lifelong. According to the Food Allergy Initiative, just about 9 percent of children with a tree nut allergy will outgrow the allergy.
Because of the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Product Act, food labels must clearly state whether a product contains nuts or was made in a facility that manufactures tree nuts.
Shellfish
Children with shellfish allergies are typically allergic to just one kind of shellfish or all kinds. According to the Mayo Clinic, shellfish includes marine animals with shells, such as clams, lobster and shrimp, as well as octopus and squid. Children who are allergic to shellfish are allergic to a specific allergy-provoking protein present in the fish.
Shellfish allergies can cause a range of symptoms in children from the mild to serious. A mild reaction includes hives or nasal congestion and a more severe reaction can result in life-threatening symptoms like anaphylaxis in which the child's airways become blocked.
Shellfish allergies have a strong hereditary component and seem to affect more boys than young girls.
Gluten
Approximately one in 167 children is allergic to gluten, the protein contained in certain grains like wheat, barley and rye. This common allergy produces symptoms similar to celiac disease, a disorder marked by gastrointestinal symptoms.
When children who are allergic to gluten are exposed to the allergen, the immune system attacks the lining of the small intestine and symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, gas and vomiting occur. The symptoms also prevent the proper absorption of vitamins and minerals from food, so the child may experience certain nutrient deficiencies.
A diagnostic test can accurately diagnose whether a child is allergic to gluten.
Sesame
Sesame allergies refer to reactions in response to exposure to not just sesame seeds but also sesame seed oil and sesame products like tahini. Therefore, children with a sesame allergy must avoid all foods containing traces of sesame seeds.
The symptoms range from mild like hives to severe like breathing difficulties.
Coconut
Coconut allergies are rarer than some of the other common allergies, but for children who are allergic to coconuts, the reaction can be serious and life-threatening.
In some instances, children who are allergic to nuts are also allergic to coconut, as they share similar allergy-provoking proteins. There is also an association between coconut allergies and latex allergies, but the explanation for this connection is not well understood.
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