What are the most common food allergies in kids?
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Food allergies are more common in children than you might have thought. It occurs when you eat something that causes your immune system to react soon after you have it (1). Even a tiny amount of allergic food can trigger your system to react badly. It can also be severe and life-threatening in some cases.
Statistics show that six to eight percent of children under the age of 3 are affected by food allergies. In adults, it is comparatively less, up to three percent (2). There is no cure for food allergies. But it is possible for your kids to outgrow their allergies as they become older.
Common Foods That Cause Allergies
Kids can be allergic to various food items, the most common being peanuts and cow’s milk (3). Here is a list of some other foods that children can be allergic to:
- Fish
- Tree nuts
- Eggs
- Soy
- Wheat
- Shellfish
Symptoms
Kids can react differently to food allergies. While some reactions can be pretty uncomfortable for your kid, it may not be fatal. The symptoms usually start showing within a few minutes or even two hours after consuming the allergic food item. Watch out for the most common signs and symptoms such as tingling or itching in the mouth, swelling of lips, tongue, or other body parts. Eczema, wheezing or nasal congestion, nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness are some other signs of food allergy (4).
Food allergies can also trigger severe reactions called anaphylaxis. The signs and symptoms can include rapid pulse, a severe drop in blood pressure, swollen throat or a feeling of a lump in your throat causing breathing difficulty, dizziness, chest pain or tightening of airways (5). It can be life-threatening.
Be Alert In Case Of A Severe Reaction
Your child’s pediatrician can create an emergency care plan for food allergy and anaphylaxis (6). This can work as a savior when you have to know how to spot a symptom and what to do. It’s most likely that your kid’s doctor will ask you to get an epinephrine auto-injector. It can save your child’s life if an emergency situation arises. It’s important to learn how to use an epinephrine auto-injector. Also, two doses are to be kept with your child at all times. You can use it at the first sign of a reaction even if you are not sure if it’s allergy-related. It will not harm your child. If you suspect that it’s a case of anaphylaxis, don’t wait to seek emergency help.
Take the Wiser Approach: Prevention
The best prevention is knowing what food to avoid that can cause an allergic reaction. Also, the ingredients can be well-hidden in a dish. So, always make sure you know what you feed your child. Here are some tips to help you:
- Check the label: Even a tiny amount can cause your body to react if you are allergic to that ingredient (7). So, always make sure you thoroughly go through the list of ingredients on the label.
- Cross contact: It’s possible that allergic food items can come in contact with the safe food in your kitchen or restaurant. A simple example could be dipping the same peanut butter knife into the jar of jam.
- Get a medical alert bracelet: It alerts your child’s allergy and symptoms so that others can provide necessary first aid in case of an emergency (8).
- Create an action plan: You can create an action plan describing what to do during an allergic reaction. It’s also better to give a copy of the same to the school nurse, nanny, and others who supervise your child.
- Be careful when eating outside: Be it restaurants or at a family function, make sure that your chef knows the food your kid is allergic to. Let them know that your kid can’t even eat a trace of that food. Don’t be reluctant in expressing your needs, they will be happy to help.
Don’t worry if you don’t know what food is causing the allergic reaction in your kid. You can work with your doctor to figure out the trigger, with some patience, of course! Taking a few steps like letting their friend’s mother know about the food allergy if he/she is going for a sleepover can help your child. In case of an allergic reaction, take the right steps mentioned above. Remember how Ross from Friends had a bad reaction to kiwi and Monica rushed him to the emergency room. He came out okay!
