2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Nowadays, more and more often encounter food allergies in children. According to experts and statistics, 1 in 13 children has a food allergy. Allergy is a protective reaction of the body.
With food allergies, the body accepts a food as dangerous to it. As a result, the immune system produces antibodies. These antibodies must fight the allergen.
Most often, children develop a food allergy by the age of 3. These allergies usually grow by the seventh year.
It is because of these food allergies that great care is taken when offering a new food to a baby or young child. Experts recommend that when an allergen is first given, wait three days before introducing a new allergen. During this time, a reaction to it is observed.
Most allergenic foods are not the same in all countries. For example, in Japan, rice allergy is prevalent, while in the Scandinavian countries, fish allergy.
Children can be allergic to any food, but the most common allergies are to the following foods:
- Milk;
- Eggs;
- Peanuts;
- Soy;
- Wheat;
- Walnuts (nuts such as cashews, almonds, pistachios, etc.)
- Fish;
- Seafood.
Cow's milk allergy is most common in infants before the introduction of solid foods. In general, children are more sensitive to allergens of animal origin (cow's milk, eggs, fish), but these food allergies can disappear in adulthood. Allergies that tend to last a lifetime are allergies to peanuts, nuts, fish, seafood and sesame seeds.
Allergies to nuts, peanuts, fish and seafood are often involved in anaphylactic reactions.
The eggs - In early childhood, they are the most common allergen. This allergy also grows with age. Eggs are a staple of many foods. If your child has an allergy to eggs, or has doubts about it, you should be careful what you offer him to eat. In many baby foods, eggs remain hidden and parents are unaware of their contents.
Cow's milk protein - 2-3% of children are allergic to cow's milk protein. And this allergy usually grows with age.
Fish - Fish allergy is common in childhood. Unlike allergies to eggs and cow's milk protein, this allergy does not grow.
Peanuts - an increasingly common food allergy in children. Peanut allergy does not disappear with age and lasts a lifetime.
Soybeans - Babies and children who are allergic to cow's butter protein are often allergic to soy.
Walnuts - They can also cause food allergies. And the allergy to walnuts does not disappear with age.
Wheat - The allergic reaction to wheat is one of the most severe and dangerous. In this allergic reaction there is even a danger to life.
According to recent studies in early childhood, the body can be "trained" not to react to an allergen. This is done through honor consumption of an allergen. This way, when the child grows up, there will be no allergy to this allergen.
Some people who know they are allergic to certain foods prefer to refrain from consuming products from the same family. There are food allergies to substances that are chemically similar. A person allergic to cow's milk is probably allergic to goat's milk because of the similarity of their proteins.
However, it is best to consult a doctor before making such a decision, as the exclusion of food can create disadvantages. Skin tests reveal cross-allergies.
What are the symptoms of food allergies in children?
The nature and intensity of food allergy symptoms in children vary from person to person. Before any diagnosis is made, your role as a parent involves carefully monitoring anything that appears "abnormal" in the child's reactions. Symptoms appear on the skin in most cases as redness, but sometimes take other forms:
- skin symptoms: itching, rash, redness, swelling of the lips, face and limbs;
- respiratory symptoms: wheezing, swelling of the throat, difficulty breathing, suffocation;
- digestive symptoms: abdominal cramps, diarrhea, colic, nausea and vomiting;
- Cardiovascular symptoms: pallor, weak pulse, dizziness, loss of consciousness.
In case of an anaphylactic reaction, the symptoms should be very pronounced. More than one system (skin, respiratory, digestive, cardiovascular) is usually affected and there is a reduction in blood pressure. This can lead to loss of consciousness in the child. If several areas of the body are affected, the reaction can be severe or even life-threatening.
How is a food allergy diagnosed in a child?
The pediatrician will talk about personal and family history: you will receive questions about the onset of symptoms, the content of the child's meals and snacks, and more.
If necessary, he will refer you to an allergist after a skin test or serological test - he measures the amount of antibody (IgE) specific to a particular food product in a blood sample.
How are food allergies treated in children?
There is no cure for food allergies, or at least not for a complete cure. The best way to prevent allergic reactions is to avoid the culprits. Parents of allergic children are advised to contact their doctor to help them adopt a balanced diet for their child. This is important so that nutritional deficiencies do not develop due to the elimination of a particular type of food and to avoid the risk of eating disorders.
In case of minor reactions, antihistamines can help reduce symptoms. These medicines can be taken after exposure to foods that cause allergies to relieve redness and soothe itching or hives. However, antihistamines cannot cure a severe allergic reaction. Instead, corticosteroids are used for more severe swelling and itching.
Protecting the child from an allergic reaction
Food allergies in children are a big challenge for many kids and as a parent you are their main defender.
It is normal to worry about your child's food allergies, but there are steps you can take to help them:
Always read the food label to make sure it does not contain an ingredient to which your child is allergic. Even if you feel you know what ingredients a food product is made of, the label should be checked. Food labels need to clearly indicate whether they contain common food allergens.
In restaurants, tell the waiter from the beginning about the food allergy your child suffers from. He or she needs to know how each dish is prepared and what ingredients are used. Ask for dishes and ingredients before ordering. If the waiter does not know how to answer your questions, ask to talk to the manager or the chef.
Before the time comes for school, you need to teach your child to be able to say NO when he is offered food. Children need to understand that they can only eat food that is safe for them. Show them that there is always an alternative, change or replacement of forbidden foods.
Recommended:
The Most Common Food Allergies
Between 50% and 90% of all severe allergic reactions to certain foods are caused by just eight products. The most common food allergies are: milk, eggs, peanuts and nuts, soy, wheat, fish and seafood. The most common food allergies in adults differ from the most common food allergies in children.
The Most Common Mistakes We Make In The Kitchen
Everyone knows at least 1 woman who is the perfect housewife. With her, everything is tidy, clean, and the food is so delicious. But even she, the ideal housewife, makes mistakes. See the 7 most common mistakes that are made in the kitchen.
Food Scams: 10 Most Common Imitation Products
Many of the foods we eat every day are presented as something they are not. The situation in this case is similar to the replicas of bags and clothes of famous brands, but it is about food. Various additives are added to the imitation products, which replace the natural ones and thus the product becomes cheaper.
The Four Most Harmful To Children's Teeth Food And Drink
The food we eat is the cause of many diseases of the body. Lack of valuable vitamins and minerals can weaken the immune system and cause a variety of diseases. Nowadays, more and more children (at a younger age) suffer from toothache caused by caries.
Nutrition Of Children With Allergies
Food allergies in children most often occur up to three years of age. The most common allergic reactions are associated with cow's milk, egg white, peanuts, nuts and in particular peanuts and cashews, fish, crustaceans, soy, wheat, strawberries, citrus and others.
