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Coping with Children's Food Allergies
Approximately 2 to 4 percent of children have allergic reactions to food. Food allergies occur when the body sees a food as harmful and causes the immune system to release massive amounts of a chemical called histamine, which triggers the allergic reaction. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, symptoms of an allergic reaction can include:
- Chest tightness, shortness of breath, or wheezing
- Hives, skin rashes, itching, or flushing
- Runny nose or sneezing
- Itchy or tearing eyes
- Nausea, vomiting, colic, cramps, or diarrhea
- Itching/tingling/swelling of the lips, palate, tongue, or throat
Symptoms typically occur anywhere from a few minutes to two hours after the allergen is consumed. Food allergies occur most often in infants and children, but they can appear at any age and develop suddenly to foods that were previously eaten without any reaction. Eight foods cause 90 percent of the food allergy reactions in children, according to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. These are:
- Milk
- Peanuts
- Soy
- Eggs
- Wheat
- Tree nuts such as pecans and walnuts
- Fish
- Shellfish
Children often outgrow allergies to eggs, milk, and soy, but allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish usually last into adulthood.
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My son turned 2 in Dec. and he has to go every 6 months for a esophagogastroduodenoscopy due to his acid reflex since 1st day of birth then found out his has food allergies to milk, eggs and dairy products. then we found out he is allergic to wheat. like everyone says, what foods doesn't have some form of wheat in it. So I am having a hard time with his meals. No restaurants for him!
2/3/2012 09:16:43 AM Report AbuseMy daughter had severe runny noses all the time, runny eyes, eczema, wheezing etc. These symptoms would turn into cold symptoms after a while and sometimes even pneumonia. We took her to an allergy specialist for testing when she was 2 1/2 yrs old. She was allergic to wheat. Once we started reading the labels, wheat is in nearly everything, inlcuding the mix-ins that I used in my water to flavor it. It was unreal at the change in her symptoms once we started her on a "gluten free" diet.
12/12/2011 11:09:21 AM Report Abusemy son is 7years old , he gets weezing and alergy to junk and out side food please advice SUITABLE FOOD
9/28/2011 03:52:15 AM Report AbuseOur son had severe Eczema and food intolerance/allergies since he was an infant. We went through so much with him and trying to find someone who could help. Nothing and no one could though and we were desperate! We finally put him on a children's chewable probiotic called Belly Boost and that was all it took to make a huge difference for him. His skin has been nearly cleared for a whole year and he can eat lots more foods. We do still avoid the his major allergens but he is doing so well.
4/2/2010 04:57:18 PM Report AbuseAlso remember to clearly identify a child with food allergies to changing caregivers & volunteers. A resource from Contemporary Pediatrics Magazine ALERT CLOTHING COMPANY. T-shirts, sweatshirts & tote bags with bold child friendly graphics & a message to alert the caregivers(fairy tee,"Food Allergy..Absolutely No food sharing with me!" 12 designs in all. Company logo on back of each item for easy ID. www.AlertClothingCompany.com
1/20/2010 12:10:11 PM Report Abuse