What is food allergy?
A food allergy is an abnormal response of the body to a certain food. It isimportant to know that this is different than a food intolerance, whichdoes not affect the immune system, although some of the same symptoms maybe present.
What causes food allergy?
Before having a food allergy reaction, a sensitive child must have beenexposed to the food at least once before, or could also be sensitizedthrough breast milk. It is the second time your child eats the food thatthe allergic symptoms happen. At that time, when IgE antibodies react withthe food, histamines are released, which can cause your child to experiencehives, asthma, itching in the mouth, trouble breathing, stomach pains,vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
What is the difference between food allergy and food intolerance?
Food allergy causes an immune system response, causing symptoms in yourchild that range from uncomfortable to life-threatening. Food intolerancedoes not affect the immune system, although some symptoms may be the sameas in food allergy.
What foods most often cause food allergy?
Approximately 90 percent of all food allergies are caused by the followingeight foods:
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Milk
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Eggs
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Wheat
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Soy
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Tree nuts
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Peanuts
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Fish
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Shellfish
Eggs, milk, and peanuts are the most common causes of food allergies inchildren, with wheat, soy, and tree nuts also included. Peanuts, tree nuts,fish, and shellfish commonly cause the most severe reactions. Nearly 5percent of children under the age of five years have food allergies. From1997 to 2007, the prevalence of reported food allergy increased 18 percentamong children under age 18 years. Although most children "outgrow" theirallergies, allergy to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish may belifelong.
What are the symptoms of food allergy?
Allergic symptoms may begin within minutes to an hour after ingesting thefood. The following are the most common symptoms of food allergy. However,each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
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Vomiting
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Diarrhea
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Cramps
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Hives
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Swelling
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Eczema
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Itching or swelling of the lips, tongue, or mouth
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Itching or tightness in the throat
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Difficulty breathing
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Wheezing
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Lowered blood pressure
According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, itdoes not take much of the food to cause a severe reaction in highlyallergic people. In fact, as little as 1/44,000 of a peanut kernel cancause an allergic reaction for severely allergic individuals.
The symptoms of food allergy may resemble other problems or medicalconditions. Always consult your child's doctor for a diagnosis.
Treatment for food allergy
There is no medication to prevent food allergy. The goal of treatment is toavoid the foods that cause the symptoms. After seeing your child's doctorand finding foods to which your child is allergic, it is very important toavoid these foods and other similar foods in that food group. If you arebreastfeeding your child, it is important to avoid foods in your diet towhich your child is allergic. Small amounts of the food allergen may betransmitted to your child through your breast milk and cause a reaction.
It is also important to give vitamins and minerals to your child if he orshe is unable to eat certain foods. Discuss this with your child's doctor.
For children who have had a severe food reaction, your child's health careprovider may prescribe an emergency kit that contains epinephrine, whichhelps stop the symptoms of severe reactions. Consult your child's doctorfor further information.
Some children, under the direction of his or her health care provider, maybe given certain foods again after three to six months to see if he or shehas outgrown the allergy. Many allergies may be short-term in children andthe food may be tolerated after the age of 3 or 4.
Milk and soy allergy
Allergies to milk and soy are usually seen in infants and young children.Often, these symptoms are unlike the symptoms of other allergies, but,rather, may include the following:
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Colic (fussy baby)
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Blood in your child's stool
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Poor growth
Often, your child's doctor will change your baby's formula to a soy formulaor breast milk if it is thought he or she is allergic to milk. If yourchild has problems with soy formula, your child's health care providermight change him or her to an easily digested hypoallergenic formula.
The symptoms of a milk or soy allergy may resemble other problems ormedical conditions. Always consult your child's doctor for a diagnosis.
Prevention of food allergies
The development of food allergies cannot be prevented, but can often bedelayed in infants by following these recommendations:
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If possible, breastfeed your infant for the first six months.
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Do not give solid foods until your child is 6 months of age or older.
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Avoid cow's milk, wheat, eggs, peanuts, and fish during your child's first year of life.
Dining out with food allergies
If your child has one or more food allergies, dining out can be achallenge. However, it is possible to have a healthy and satisfyingdining-out experience; it just takes some preparation and persistence onyour part.
The American Dietetics Association offers these tips for dealing with foodallergies when your family is eating away from home:
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Know what ingredients are in the foods at the restaurant where you plan to eat. When possible, obtain a menu from the restaurant ahead of time and review the menu items.
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Let your server know from the beginning about your child's food allergy. He or she should know how each dish is prepared and what ingredients are used. Ask about preparation and ingredients before you order. If your server does not know this information or seems unsure of it, ask to speak to the manager or the chef.
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Avoid buffet-style or family-style service, as there may be cross-contamination of foods from using the same utensils for different dishes.
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Avoid fried foods, as the same oil may be used to fry several different foods.
Another strategy for dining out with food allergies is to give your serveror the manager a food allergy card. A food allergy card containsinformation about the specific items your child is allergic to, along withadditional information, such as a reminder to make sure all utensils andequipment used to prepare your meal is thoroughly cleaned prior to use. Youcan easily print these cards yourself using a computer and printer. If yourchild is eating out with friends and you are not going to be present, giveyour child a food allergy card (or make sure the adult in charge has one)to give to the server.
Alternately, there are several types of allergy cards available on theinternet that can be customized with your child's personal information. Oneexample is the Food Allergy Buddy Dining Card, promoted by the NationalRestaurant Association.
The Food Allergy Initiative, in conjunction with the National RestaurantAssociation and the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, has developed theFood Allergy Training Program for Restaurants and Food Services. Thistraining program was developed to help restaurants and other food serviceoutlets to ensure their customers, including those with food allergies,will receive a safe meal prepared to customer specifications.
