Children and Food Allergies

Imagine if a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in your child's lunch box resulted in hives, vomiting or difficulty breathing. That's a reality for 6% of children under age three in the US and about 2% of adults. A food allergy is an abnormal response to a food triggered by the immune system. Also called hypersensitivity, a true food allergy is different from food intolerance. Food intolerance is defined by an unpleasant reaction to food, but a reaction that does not involve the immune system. Food allergies are often misunderstood by parents - with some parents unnecessarily restricting this child's diet because they think that they are allergic to everything and other's risking their kids healthy by continuing to offer foods the child is allergic to.

Common Allergens

In children, the most common allergies are to eggs, milk, peanuts, soy and wheat. With the exception of peanuts, children typically outgrow these allergies. Adults are most commonly allergic to shellfish, tree nuts, fish and eggs. These allergies typically do not abate with time.

Preventing Food Allergies

There is some evidence that avoiding high-risk foods when children are young, during gestation and while breast-feeding may decrease the risk of your child developing allergies. Breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of baby's life and then continue to breastfeed until your child is one-year-old also seems to benefit children with a family history of allergies. When you do introduce solids, begin with a iron-fortified rice cereal. Do not give your child dairy until one year, eggs until two years and peanuts, tree nuts and fish until your child is three.

Identifying an Allergy

If you suspect that your child has a food allergy, it's important to be tested because in some cases the reaction can be life threatening. An estimated 150 Americans die each year from severe allergic reactions to food. If you suspect that your child is allergic to a food, you may need to consult your pediatrician or a Pediatric Allergist. Children can have allergy testing at any age.

Treating Allergies

The only way to treat an allergy is to avoid the food that triggers it. For parents, this can mean the need to be extremely vigilant. Not only must the child not be exposed to the allergen at home, but birthday parties, play dates and even school can be a risk. Friends, parents and school officials need to assist in making sure the child is not exposed to any allergens. It's also important that a child with a food allergy understand the allergy. The he will understand the importance of not sharing food with other children.

The Importance of Food Labeling

The Food and Drug Administration is trying to help parents by developing a better allergen labeling program. One brand of a food may be okay, but another many contain eggs. The National Food Processors Association have instituted a voluntary practice calling for listing of the eight most common food allergens in plain language.

Even children with the most diligent parents will likely be accidentally exposed to allergens at some point. That's why children with severe allergic reactions should wear medical alert necklaces. Parents should also consult their doctor about carrying a syringe of adrenaline (epinephrine).