16 questions about food allergies in children

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Food allergy is a common problem in children, especially those under 3 years old, whose immune system and intestinal tract are still weak. Most cases of food allergies in children are mild, but sometimes life-threatening if not properly managed.

1. Do many children have food allergies?

Food allergies are fairly common in children, but many suspected food allergies are often diagnosed as another condition. For example, if a child has an upset stomach or diarrhea after eating something, it may not be an allergy but just a digestive problem.
If you understand the pathogenesis, you can recognize the early signs of a food allergy. It is important for parents to know what to do when a child has a real food allergy.

2. Why do allergic reactions to foods happen?

When a child is allergic to a food, the body perceives that food as an "invader" and the immune system launches an attack.
Sometimes, the body will make IgE antibodies - a protein that detects food. If the child eats the food again, the antibodies will tell the immune system to release histamine to fight the "invader". These substances cause allergy symptoms, which can be mild or severe.

3. What are the symptoms of a food allergy?

Signs of a food allergy usually appear within minutes to 2 hours of eating a particular food. Symptoms of a mild reaction include:
Itchy and watery eyes Itching of the mouth, nose and/or ears Itchy skin, red spots or rash Eczema rash Redness around the mouth or eyes Dry cough Runny or stuffy nose Sneezing Co stomach cramps Diarrhea Nausea and vomiting Strange taste in mouth. If your child has a life-threatening reaction (anaphylaxis), call 911 right away. Serious symptoms that require urgent medical attention are:
Difficulty breathing Pale person Swelling of lips or tongue Throat tightness or hoarseness Wheezing Dizziness or fainting Chest pain Weak pulse Confusion, fear Tingling in the hands, feet, mouth, or scalp Difficulty swallowing, drooling, or sudden slurred speech

4. What to watch out for about food allergy signs?

Mild food allergy symptoms can progress to more severe, involving more worrisome body parts. For example, a child with a food allergy can experience stomach and skin problems at the same time, rather than affecting just one area.
Chronic or ongoing symptoms can make it difficult to diagnose food allergies in children. For example, if a child has a chronic gastrointestinal problem such as vomiting or diarrhea, it is more likely to be caused by another condition associated with a food allergy.
Children can react to a food even though they have tasted it before and have no problem. For example, a child with an egg allergy may not react for the first few times, but eventually signs of a food allergy will appear.
Children are also at risk of combined allergen exposure. For example, your child might eat eggs, milk, or ground nuts while enjoying a cookie. In addition, some children tolerate milk or eggs when combined, but cannot eat them alone.

5. What foods are children prone to allergies to?

Children can be allergic to any food, but these 8 foods cause 90% of allergies:
Caviar (such as tuna, salmon and cod) Milk Peanuts Shellfish (such as lobster, shrimp, and crab) Soybeans Nuts (such as walnuts, nuts, and cashews) Wheat Allergy to sesame is also a growing concern. In addition, there are more than 160 other foods that have been found to cause allergic reactions.

6. What should I do if I suspect my child has a food allergy?

6.1. For a serious reaction If your child develops severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips or tongue, call 911 right away.
Severe allergic reaction requiring urgent medical attention. A child's airway can close within minutes, so medical attention is needed as soon as possible.
6.2. For a milder reaction Monitor your child and see a doctor if things seem to get worse or if hives persist for more than 24 hours. Call 911 if your child has any serious reactions. For children 12 months and older, diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or cetirizine (Zyrtec) can help reduce mild reactions, such as a rash. A cool bath can help relieve the itch, but only for 10 minutes so your baby doesn't get cold. If your child continues to have symptoms within 2 hours of eating a certain food, ask the doctor about testing. Be prepared in case your child has a food allergy again. The first time can be a mild reaction, but the next time there is a serious risk. Your doctor will guide you with a specific action plan, including how to manage an allergic reaction.

7. What is food intolerance? How is it different from a food allergy?

Food intolerances are not related to the immune system and are rarely dangerous. If your child has an intolerance to a food, it means he is having trouble digesting it.
If you have an intolerance, you may notice that after each meal or drink of a particular food, your child will experience digestive symptoms such as:
Indigestion Farting Bloating Diarrhea Ợ gas Loose stools Headache Discomfort Flushing. Lactose intolerance is the most common type, because patients lack the enzyme needed to digest the sugar lactose found in cow's milk and other dairy products.

8. Are Food Allergies Increasingly Common?

It's correct. Nearly 8% of all children in the United States have food allergies (about 5.5 million children). About 40% of people are allergic to more than one food.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that between 1997 - 1999 and 2009 - 2011, the number of children with food allergies increased by 50%. Allergies to peanuts and nuts more than tripled between 1997 and 2008.
Experts are trying to figure out why. This is a complex topic to study, in part because people have different definitions of allergies, as well as different foods and populations. Even so, genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors appear to play a role.
Many experts say the timing of exposure is also a factor. So they now suggest that children try foods at an earlier age, rather than delaying it until later.

9. Are allergies hereditary?

The predisposition to allergies can be inherited, but is not necessarily the same. For example, if you have a seasonal allergy, a pet allergy, or a food allergy, your child has a 50% chance of developing some type of allergy, but it may not be the same as yours. This probability increases to 75% when both parents have allergies.
Food allergies can start at any age. Children with food allergies are also two to four times more likely to develop other related conditions, such as eczema and asthma, than children without allergies.

10. Can children with food allergies be completely cured?

Depending on the type of food, many children with food allergies will recover as adults. For other children, the allergy will last a lifetime.
Here are some statistics:
Milk allergy: More than 50% of cases will clear up by the age of 5 - 10 and 80% by the age of 16. Egg allergy: About 50% will clear up by the age of 2 - 9 and 70% by the age of 16. Soy allergy: About 45% will go away by the age of 6 and 80% by the age of 16. As for peanut allergies, up to 25% of children will recover from the disease at some point in their lives. The cure rate in children with allergies to nuts or seafood will be smaller.

11. What should I do if my child is at risk of a food allergy?

During your visit, your doctor may suggest that you keep a food diary to determine the cause, or if your baby is still an infant and bottle-fed, change the formula.
The pediatric allergist will ask for details about your child's symptoms, allergy skin testing or blood tests to confirm the diagnosis.
If a skin test shows a rash or a blood test shows high IgE antibodies to a food, it's likely that your child is allergic to that food. If the tests are negative, your child is less likely to have a food allergy, which could be due to a food intolerance.
The pediatric gastroenterologist will determine the exact cause of the intolerance or investigate the causes of the child's unusual symptoms.

12. Do children with food allergies need to carry an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen)?

Your doctor may recommend carrying an auto-injector that delivers the right dose of epinephrine (EpiPen) in an emergency situation to prevent a serious allergic reaction.
The doctor will prescribe and instruct you how to use. Anyone caring for a child should know how to use this auto-injector just in case. As children get older, they can carry their own epinephrine syringes. But first you need to consult a doctor.

13. What can I do to prevent food allergies?

Previously, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended delaying allergenic foods in high-risk children. But currently, there is no evidence that this will protect children from allergies. In fact, doing this can increase the risk of food allergies.
Recent research has found that children are less likely to develop food allergies when they start eating at 4-6 months and throughout childhood. Now, experts recommend introducing allergenic foods as soon as your baby is ready to eat solid foods and tolerates meat, fruits, and vegetables.
Food manufacturers also market products that incorporate common allergenic foods into children's diets. These powders and snacks may contain a common allergenic protein or be mixed.
Breastfeeding can combat some allergy symptoms, but scientists have yet to confirm its ability to protect babies from specific food allergies. Consider breastfeeding for as long as possible, especially if you have a family history of allergies.
Note: Do not give cow's milk to babies before 1 year of age. However, products containing protein from processed milk, such as cheese and yogurt, should be included in your baby's weaning diet.

14. Can peanut allergy be prevented?

According to the AAP, children who are at high risk of being exposed to peanut products soon after starting solid foods are actually less likely to develop an allergy. The exact time to give your child safe peanut products depends on factors such as:
If your baby doesn't have eczema or food allergies: Allow your baby to eat peanuts freely appropriate for their age and preferences. and family habits (6 months or more for exclusively breastfed infants). If your child has mild or moderate eczema: Give your baby a first taste of safe peanut products at around 4-6 months of age - after he or she has tried and tolerated several foods without problems what. If your child has severe eczema or an egg allergy: Consult your doctor before giving your child a first taste of peanut products. Your baby will first need to be tested for allergies at about 4-6 months.

15. How to care for a child with food allergies?

Avoiding Specific Foods It is important to strictly avoid a particular food allergy. They can show up in unexpected places and even a little can be enough to cause a serious reaction. Most people with severe reactions have eaten foods they consider safe.
Tell everyone Tell everyone, including babysitters, relatives, daycare workers, teachers, about your child's allergies and what foods he or she can eat. Point out potentially hazardous foods and ask caregivers to double-check ingredients. Don't forget to let them know exactly what to do if your child has an allergic reaction.
Read food labels Use caution when reading food labels, learn what ingredients to avoid, and ask about ingredients in dishes at restaurants or at friends' homes.
Talk to a dietitian If your child must avoid many foods, see a dietitian to make sure his or her diet is complete.
Change in diet if you are breastfeeding Allergenic proteins can be passed through breast milk. So you need to be on your own if you're raising a baby with food allergies.
Changing formula If you are formula-feeding your baby, and your baby is allergic to cow's milk, you may need to change the type of formula. However, some children who are allergic to cow's milk are also allergic to soy, so it is important to discuss this with their doctor before doing so.

16. What allergens are required by food manufacturers to list on packaging labels?

By law in some countries, food manufacturers must list these top food allergens on packaging labels:
Eggs Milk Wheat Soybeans Peanuts Nuts Fish Shellfish ( crab, shrimp and lobster), but not molluscs such as mussels, oysters or squid. An allergist can tell you which foods are causing your child's symptoms, as well as make a differential diagnosis of a food intolerance.
Hope the information in the above article has helped parents have more knowledge about food allergies in children to consider and ensure nutrition for their children.
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Reference source: babycenter.com