Food allergies are difficult to detect in children. The only way to know If your child has a food allergy is a diagnosis from a healthcare expert. However, you should be aware of the warning signs and symptoms of food allergies.
According to Food Allergy Research and Education, approximately 40% of youngsters have severe, life-threatening responses. Parents, babysitters, and others spend time with the child to look out for indicators of
food allergy.
What food causes allergies in Children?
The immune system reacts inappropriately, creating antibodies to the food if it were a virus or other deadly invader, whenever a child develops a food allergy.
Peanuts and tree nuts (cashew, almonds, cashew, pistachios), cow’s milk, eggs, fish, soy, and wheat are the most common food allergies caused in children.
Symptoms of food allergies
A child’s breathing, heart, skin, and digestion can be affected by real food allergies. Within minutes to an hour after ingestion of the meal, kids with a food allergy will indicate one or more following symptoms.
Congestion, runny nose, diarrhea, cough, nausea, red-itchy bumps on the skin, itchy rashes, trouble breathing, stomach pain, swelling of the lips, vomiting, and dizziness are the common symptoms that can occur.
What should we do if the child has a food allergy?
Consulting an allergist or your pediatrician is the first step. The doctor will determine which food is causing the problem and which treatment should be taken. Once you determine the allergy, the best step is to avoid the offending food or anything which may contain or have come into contact with them.
It is very frightening and stressful having a child with a food allergy. Parents need to keep a close watch on their nutrition and always be careful in case of an emergency.
The good news is that many youngsters outgrow their food allergies over time. In fact, the sooner a kid’s initial allergy to certain food occurs, the more likely is that the youngster will outgrow it.