Food allergies in children

Food Allergy Facts Parents Should Know

A food allergy occurs when your body mistakes specific proteins in food for harmful ones, producing antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE). This antibody-antigen reaction triggers other substances in the body to release histamine and other inflammatory substances, which cause an allergic reaction. Although some people have mild reactions to certain foods, others have more serious, even fatal allergic reactions like anaphylaxis.

Cases of food allergies often develop during childhood, particularly the first year of your child's life. In some instances, they can be outgrown by adulthood. But most continue to have an allergic reaction to certain foods for their entire lives.

Which Foods Often Cause Allergies?

The top nine foods that cause allergic reactions in children are listed below. These foods contain proteins that can trigger an immune system response in some people.

• Milk
• Eggs
• Soya
• Peanuts
• Tree nuts (such as walnuts or pecans)
• Wheat
• Seeds
• Fish (An allergy to one type of fish does not necessarily mean that a person will be allergic to all types)
• Shellfish (clams, shrimp, crabs, etc.)

Moreover, allergic reactions to foods can be triggered by practically anything we eat, including the food we don't typically include as primary food, such as herbal remedies and spices.

How Are Food Allergies Diagnosed?

Observable symptoms and patient history provide the basis for diagnosing a food allergy. Additionally, your doctor will prescribe several tests to confirm your food sensitivity. These tests include

Skin Prick Test: A test involves pricking your child's forearm or back with an allergen extract, then observing whether reddish raised spots known as wheals develop.

Blood Test: To check for food-specific IgE antibodies in the blood

Elimination Diet: This diet is done by eating only certain foods and noting any reactions after eating each type of food.

Food Challenge: As part of this test, a patient is gradually exposed to an increasing amount of a suspected food allergen, and the doctor monitors any symptoms they experience. Considering the possibility of a life-threatening reaction, the test is typically done at an allergist's clinic or in a hospital with quick access to medical care.

What to Do When Your Child Has a Food Allergy

Parents are often concerned about the safety and well-being of their children when they have a food allergy. But it's important to realise that while food allergies are severe, they are manageable. You can ensure a safe diet for your child with accurate information and action.

Be Familiar with the Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction

Allergic reactions to food can cause symptoms that affect the skin, respiratory, digestive, and cardiovascular systems. The severity of food allergy reactions can also differ from person to person. Even the same person may react differently on different occasions. This makes it extremely critical to recognise and respond to food allergies quickly.

Symptoms include

• chest tightness or pain
• feeling lightheaded
• trouble breathing - such as shallow, fast breathing
• fainting or losing consciousness
• looking pale or having bluish lips
• confusion or disorientation
• wheezing
• trouble swallowing
• persistent coughing
• heart palpitations

Do not ignore it if your child experiences an allergic reaction after eating a particular food. Visit your doctor to determine what is causing their symptoms. Even if they have had a mild reaction in the past, your child may have a more severe reaction next time. In some people, even a tiny amount can cause immediate severe symptoms.

Management and Treatment of Food Allergies

There’s no cure for food allergy. But with the help of your doctor, you can set up a treatment plan for your child. Furthermore, parents can take the following steps to manage food allergies properly.

Always Have an EpiPen (Adrenaline) on Hand

If you have food allergies, you should always carry an epinephrine auto-injector/ EpiPens in an emergency. Epinephrine(Adrenaline) is a safe, emergency medication used to counteract the life-threatening symptoms of a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Using an auto-injector injects one dose of medicine into the patient's thigh.

If you have food allergies, you should always carry an epinephrine auto-injector/ EpiPens in an emergency. Epinephrine(Adrenaline) is a safe, emergency medication used to counteract the life-threatening symptoms of a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Using an auto-injector injects one dose of medicine into the patient's thigh.

Avoid Consumption of Food Allergens

Doctors agree that the best way to prevent severe allergic reactions is to avoid eating the food that causes the allergy. You'll need to eliminate these foods from their diet and see if the condition improves. If it improves, you'll want to keep the offending food from your child's diet permanently.

Safety Tips When Dining Out

When it comes to dining out in a restaurant or at a friend's house, avoiding your allergen is only sometimes possible. That's why it's crucial to have an auto-injector like EpiPen® on hand. Apart from that, you can also avoid allergic reactions by

• Choosing simple meals and avoiding dishes with multiple ingredients or complex preparation techniques.
• Make sure all restaurant staff— including the kitchen staff — understand your child's allergy and how to avoid cross-contamination. Use plain language when placing orders so they don't get confused regarding ingredients. You can also print out food allergy information cards that detail your child's allergies.
• Avoid family-style or buffet dining. Using the same serving utensils on different dishes may lead to cross-contamination.
• Not ordering fried foods. There is a possibility that they used the same oil for frying various foods that your child is allergic to.

Other FAQs About Allergies to Food

Is Food Intolerance the Same as Food Allergy?

Food allergy and food intolerance are not the same. Food allergies are due to an immune reaction. On the other hand, food intolerance is not related to the immune system but occurs when someone has difficulty digesting certain substances, like lactose and gluten. While some of the symptoms are similar, food intolerance is rarely dangerous. Symptoms may include bloating, burping, diarrhoea, passing gas, or headache.

Nearly 80% of people with milk, wheat, or soy intolerance will eventually outgrow the sensitivity. Around two-thirds of children with allergies to eggs outgrow them by age 5.

Can You Develop Food Allergies as an Adult?

Food allergies typically begin in childhood, although they can develop at any age. There is no apparent reason why, yet some adults but to the food they usually eat without issue.