When it comes to your little ones, we know that keeping them safe and healthy is top priority. Unfortunately, food allergies in kids are more common than you may think. According to the National Library of Medicine, 8% of children have a food allergy, with 2.4% having multiple food allergies.
We’re here to give you peace of mind regarding your children’s health. Read on to learn more about food allergies in kids and how you can best support their whole health.
Food Allergy Basics
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a food allergy occurs when the body’s immune system reacts to certain proteins in food. It can be easy to confuse a food allergy with food intolerance. The difference is that a food intolerance doesn’t affect the immune system, whereas a food allergy does. So, receiving a diagnosis at a young age and knowing common food allergens is important to get your little ones the care they deserve. Common food allergens include:
- Eggs
- Fish
- Milk
- Peanuts
- Sesame
- Shellfish
- Soybeans
- Tree nuts
- Wheat
It’s important to remember that while these are the most common food allergens, a proper diagnosis from a doctor is needed to ensure you avoid foods that trigger your child's immune system.
Symptoms and Diagnoses of Food Allergies
We know that as a parent, you want to give your children the best lives possible, which includes keeping them out of harm's way. With food allergies affecting 8% of children in the U.S., knowing what signs and symptoms to look for is imperative for helping them feel whole.
Symptoms of food allergies in children can include:
- Abdominal cramps
- Difficulty breathing
- Face, tongue or lip swelling
- Flushed skin or rash
- Hives
- Lightheadedness
- Vomiting or diarrhea
In some cases, food allergies can cause life-threatening reactions known as anaphylaxis. Knowing what symptoms to look for in your children is important so you can visit your primary care provider for a thorough diagnosis and proper treatment.
According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the most frequently used methods for diagnosing food allergies are the skin-prick and allergy blood tests. These methods of diagnosing a food allergy have proven to be safer than the oral food challenge previously used. If your child’s doctor administers a blood test, they’re looking for an antibody called immunoglobulin E (lgE) that’s specific to a certain food or protein within a food. This helps them provide a more accurate diagnosis, delivering the compassionate care your children deserve.
Food Allergy Treatment and Management
Unfortunately, there’s currently no cure for food allergies. However, the FDA continuously researches new treatments to reduce symptoms and prevent allergy attacks. You can manage your little ones' symptoms and treat acute allergic reactions for their whole health in many ways.
A good first step in keeping your kids safe is to help them avoid consuming foods that cause reactions. A best practice is to look at the ingredient list on food labels before giving it to your little ones to eat. Checking food labels and asking about cross-contamination at restaurants is also very important. Restaurants often share equipment that could be contaminated, so being proactive about this is key.
For acute allergic reactions, your doctor may prescribe your child antihistamines. For severe allergic reactions, you must take your child to your nearest emergency room or administer an epinephrine autoinjector, like an EPIPEN®.
It’s vital that children with severe food allergies have a prescription for an EPIPEN® and that you have one with you at all times. If your child has a severe reaction, they need immediate medical attention. You must still take them to your nearest emergency room, even after you administer the dose of epinephrine, to ensure they get proper treatment. We know how overwhelming managing your children’s health can feel, but you can expect expert care from us.
Giving Them Our Best
At AdventHealth, we seek to care for your little ones in body, mind and spirit. They deserve the best care available, and we’re passionate about being our best for them. Visit us here to find a doctor near you, or learn more about our allergy care services here.
