Symptoms of Food Allergies In Children

A food allergy is a very scary allergic reaction to a particular item of food. Food allergies are usually not diagnosed until a child has been exposed to the allergen and experienced an adverse reaction. Parents of children who have a food allergy know how scary and unpredictable the problem can be. Often our children are exposed to food items that have ingredients they are not completely aware of, thus exposing them to the food they are allergic to.

Food allergies, as opposed to food sensitivities, occur in the immune system. A true allergy to a food results in a violent, life-threatening reaction caused by the immune system attacking the offending protein as it enters the body and bloodstream. The immune system produces an antibody called IgE, which seeks out and bonds with the protein of the food that the child is allergic to. The build up of IgE proteins in the blood stream releases a torrent of chemicals that can cause itching, swelling, vomiting, fever, difficulty breathing, and many other symptoms, and can eventually lead to the systems of the body shutting down.

Most food allergies appear before a child reaches three years of life. If, however, a child is never exposed to a certain food that they have an allergy to in the toddler years, they might show an allergic reaction later in life. The most common allergens are wheat, milk, nuts, soy, and eggs. In fact, those foods incorporate over ninety percent of the allergies children face.

Allergies and sensitivities to foods are two different ideas. Sensitivities to foods are far less severe. The reactions of it do not occur at once that is why it is harder to detect sensitivities to foods because if your child eats an entire meal, it will not always be apparent as to what food caused the reaction. As for allergies, it is different. Allergies reaction takes place every time within seconds of ingesting the food allergen.

Although some food allergies cause problems for a lifetime, many of them can be outgrown. If you are concerned that your child may have a food allergy, it is crucial to have them screened through the use of an allergy skin test. This will eliminate any doubt in your mind about whether or not there is allergy present. Once diagnosed, inform all caretakers, family, and friends about the allergy, and teach your child to ask what is in the foods that they are offered. The best way to deal with allergies in children is to completely avoid the foods that cause the reaction.

It is not practical or realistic to try to shield a child from harmful foods all the time. At time in your least unexpected, thing can happen. You might be able to give your child only those foods that they are not allergic to, but then there is always the potential that your child will eat an offending product when you are not around. So safety in mind come first. Always be certain that you and your child’s caregivers have access to medicine that will neutralize their allergic reaction. In most cases, this will be a special medical tool that administers epinephrine, otherwise known as adrenaline. This medical is best to you get it from your doctor. Remember after it been use, make sure you bring your child to receive quick medical attention. So parents, you will not know your child has food allergies until your child has been exposed to the allergen and experienced an adverse reaction.