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Preventing Food Allergies
Could your child be allergic to certain foods? Here’s what you need to know.
by: Joey Shulman
In This Article
F
ood allergies can be an underlying cause of many childhood illnesses such as skin ailments, digestive issues or respiratory problems, but in many cases you can minimize, or even prevent, the onset of an allergic response. Here's what you need to know about food allergies:What is a food allergy?
An allergic response to food occurs when the body identifies an otherwise harmless food as a dangerous invader and creates an outpouring of antibodies in response. True food allergies are rare and appear in less than one percent of the population (many more may have intolerances or sensitivities). Allergies usually occur in early childhood but they can appear at any age. Many children will outgrow their allergy to milk, egg, wheat and soy by avoiding the offending food(s). Allergies to nuts and shellfish, however, tend to be lifelong.
Allergic reactions fall into two categories: immediate and delayed reactions.
Immediate allergic reactions can occur within minutes of your child eating a food she is allergic to. Symptoms include wheezing, skin rashes and excess mucous production. In rare situations (just three percent of allergic reactions), immediate allergic reactions can be life-threatening (anaphylactic) due to the constriction of airways.
An example of an anaphylactic allergic response is when a child's throat begins to close after she's eaten a peanut. If your child suffers from anaphylactic reactions, she should always carry an EpiPen (a shot of epinephrine that is injected into the skin) in case of emergencies.
Delayed allergic response can occur anywhere from one hour to several days after contact with an allergen. Due to the delayed appearance of symptoms, these food allergies are more difficult to detect.
