Children's Food Allergies: FAQ

Most people find that they are allergic to something. It might be poison ivy. It might be a certain type of medication. But by far the hardest to control are food allergies. You have to be very diligent in what you eat and buy. You never know when a potential allergen could be in a meal and this could lead to some very serious medical problems if you are seriously allergic. Children's food allergies are especially hard to deal with because children do not often understand why they cannot always eat the same foods that their friends eat. You have to ensure that they are educated and know what to look for on packaging information as well as having the ability to communicate these allergies to adults that are supervising them. This article will not cure your child's food allergies but it may give you some information about allergies and what you can do on your part.

What are the most common children's food allergies?

The most common food allergies your child or any child can have are: peanuts, tree nuts, shell fish, fish, egg whites, milk, soy and wheat. It is important to know what an allergen truly is versus something that just causes stomach upset. A good example is milk. People often say they are allergic to milk but in reality they are just lactose intolerant. Drinking milk will not produce an immune system reaction but could produce upset stomach and diarrhea. This is because the child, or adult's body, does not have a certain enzyme to be able to digest the milk.

How do I handle food allergies if my child eats at school?

Handling food allergies for children that eat lunch or breakfast at their school can be difficult. You really have no control about what they eat and what the lunches contain. You can try sending a letter from your doctor stating the allergies your child has and hope that the school carefully monitors the food that is given to your child. The best alternative though is to send food with your child. That way you can control what the food has in it, what it has come into contact with and prevent any mishaps that may occur if your child is not old enough to pay attention to what is being served.

How can I make my child understand his or her food allergies?

Children's food allergies can be difficult for a parent or adult to understand let alone a child. But educating your child is the best thing you can do. They may have lots of questions about why other kids can eat certain things but they cannot. If they are very young these questions may not surface immediately but you can begin preparing them by explaining why certain foods are harmful to certain people. They may not understand it at first but overtime it will sink in. There are probably going to be times when your child does have an allergic reaction. They will begin to associate this with what you are saying and then begin taking it upon themselves to make sure they are careful about what they eat.

What should I do if my child has an allergic reaction?

The most important thing you can do if your child has an allergic reaction is to remain calm. You need to be calm so that they are. The symptoms could be frightening. The mildest symptoms are runny noses, upset stomachs and maybe even hives. The more serious reactions could lead to swelling of the throat, tongue and mouth. If your child is having a severe allergic reaction you have to seek medical attention immediately. If the allergy is severe enough to warrant a prescription of an Epi-Pen you will need to administer the dose and then get your child to the emergency room or call 911.

Related topics about Children's Food Allergies
Dealing With Childhood Food Allergies
Rather than go through the time-consuming and money-consuming process of a Food Challenge, some parents would rather just shop carefully and try to make home life as normal as possible. Judy Phipps, owner of the Little Protégés early learning center, says she focuses her efforts on educating kids and parents about special diets for childhood food allergies. "We don't ever want to single a child out as being different.

What To Do About Your Kids Food Allergy
What about food allergies in babies? When four week old Grayson Grebe got eczema on his cheeks, his mother began to worry. Two months later, he was diagnosed with every food allergy in the book, including wheat, dairy, egg, bean, oat, rice, barley, chicken, pork, corn and peanut. His mother stopped eating these foods, but her baby's condition did not improve.

What Are The Types Of Food Allergies?
You can get additional information at the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network at www.foodallergy.org.