Food Allergies in Children

How do you know if your child has a food allergy? A food allergy happens when the body reacts against harmless proteins found in foods. The reaction usually happens shortly after a food is eaten. Food allergy reactions can vary from mild to severe.

Because many symptoms and illnesses could be wrongly blamed on “food allergies,” it is important for parents to know the usual symptoms. The following is information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) about food allergies and how to recognize and treat the symptoms.

Symptoms of a food allergy When the body’s immune system overreacts to certain foods, the following symptoms may occur:

• Skin problems like:
  • Hives (red spots that look like mosquito bites)
  • Itchy skin rashes (eczema, also called atopic dermatitis)
• Swelling
• Breathing problems
• Sneezing
• Wheezing
• Throat tightness
• Stomach symptoms
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
• Pale skin
• Light-headedness
• Loss of consciousness 

If several areas of the body are affected, the reaction may be severe or even life-threatening. This type of allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis and requires immediate medical attention.

• Food can cause many illnesses that are sometimes confused with food allergies. The following are not food allergies:
• Food poisoning—Can cause diarrhea or vomiting, but is usually caused by bacteria in spoiled food or undercooked food.
• Drug effects—Certain ingredients, such as caffeine in soda or candy, can make your child shaky or restless.
• Skin irritation—Can often be caused by acids found in such foods as orange juice or tomato products.
• Diarrhea—Can occur in small children from too much sugar, such as from fruit juices.

Any food could cause a food allergy, but most food allergies are caused by the following:

• Cow’s milk
• Eggs
• Peanuts
• Soy
• Wheat
• Nuts from trees (such as walnuts, pistachios, pecans, cashews)
• Fish (such as tuna, salmon, cod) Shellfish (such as shrimp, lobster)

Peanuts, nuts, and seafood are the most common causes of severe reactions. Allergies can also occur to other foods such as meats, fruits, vegetables, grains, and seeds such as sesame.

The good news is that food allergies are often outgrown during early childhood. It is estimated that 80% to 90% of egg, milk, wheat, and soy allergies go away by age 5 years. Some allergies are more persistent. For example, 1 in 5 young children will outgrow a peanut allergy and fewer will outgrow allergies to nuts or seafood.

Your doctor can perform tests to track your child’s food allergies and watch to see if they are going away. They can also advise you with regard to an allergy action plan, that you can keep in your child’s school or child care center, to manage an acute exposure to their food allergen. Often your doctor will prescribe an epinephrine injector in case your child has a severe reaction.