Food Allergies in children

     Food allergies are on the rise, and it is extremely important to be aware of the procedures in dealing with them, especially in children. Allergies occur when an individual’s immune system identifies a particular food as foreign and attacks its proteins, known as allergens. A chemical, called histamine, is released due to exposure to the allergen, causing the reaction. Depending on the child’s sensitivity to the allergen, the allergic reaction can range anywhere from itching to possibly fatal. There are approximately 32 million Americans with food allergies, with 5.6 million of those under 18 years old. Peanut or tree nut allergies in particular in children have approximately tripled in the US between 1997 and 2008.

Common food allergies

These are the top 8 allergies to look out for in children:

1. Milk
2. Eggs
3. Peanuts
4. Soy
5. Wheat
6. Tree Nuts
7. Fish
8. Shellfish​

Most children usually, but not always, lose sensitivity to their particular food allergen(s) by the time they are adults.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction

• Itching, even in the mouth
• Hives
• Swelling in the face area/body
• Diarrhea
• Cramps
• Tightness present in the throat
• Hard time breathing
• Wheezing
• Lightheadedness/fainting
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea/vomiting
• Nasal congestion
• Anaphylaxis is an extremely severe reaction to an allergen that can be potentially fatal. It must be attended to immediately by medical professionals.

Why food allergies are on the rise

Although doctors have not yet pinpointed why children's food allergies are increasing, they have come up with theories regarding the cause of this change:

• Pollution 
• GMOs 
• Sensitivity to bacteria and microbes
• Changes in environment
• Lack of early exposure to allergens
• Vitamin D deficiency​​

Helping children with food allergies

There are many ways to help your child and family manage food allergies.

• Prepare a food allergy card
  • A food allergy card lists a child's food allergies and is given out to restaurants when  he/she eats there in order to help prevent contamination and exposure of that allergen to the child
  • Use an online food allergy card template to create and print out these cards and hand them to the waiter at restaurants
  • Give them to your child or his/her chaperone in case they go out to eat with others
• Teach your child to read food labels on processed food to avoid their allergens
• Be sure to notify any adult responsible for your child at any time of your child’s allergies
• Avoid buffets and any other restaurants where food could be cross-contaminated 
• Avoid eating fried foods in restaurants as the oil used to fry the item could contain allergens (ex. peanut oil) or other allergens
• Try to get menus before your enter restaurants to have a chance to read over the ingredients and choose options that don’t contain your child’s allergens

By Sriya Chinthalapudi