Understanding the problem of food allergy in your child

Food allergy problems are getting very common these days. Almost 1 in every 5 young children suffers from food allergy problems. For any parent, it is a nightmare situation if their baby is not able to have certain kind of foods, and what’s more difficult is to identify the allergic symptoms. Would you be able to recognize if your baby is having a food allergy? Food allergy in babies happens when the body reacts against harmless proteins found in foods. The reaction usually happens shortly after a food is eaten. Food allergy reactions can vary from mild to severe. 

It is commonly seen that parents across globe tend to ignore their child’s reactions and symptoms to certain foods and force them to have these for their betterment, however, have you ever thought that this could do more harm than good to your little child. As many symptoms and illness could be wrongly blamed on “child’s food allergies”, it becomes more important for parents to understand and know the usual symptoms.

The following is information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) about food allergies and how to recognize and treat the symptoms. There is also important information about how to keep your child safe and healthy at home and in school if he has a food allergy.

Most serious food allergy problems start in infancy and early childhood.  They are caused by a relatively small number of different foods. Milk and egg allergy are the most common and tend to disappears your child grows up. 

Symptoms of food allergy in babies

When the baby’s immune system overreacts to certain foods, then the following symptoms may occur: 

• Skin problems – These could be hives (red spots all over the body which generally looks like mosquito bites), itchy skin rashes, swelling.
• Breathing problems – Like sneezing, wheezing, and throat tightness are breathing problems that looks like any other common problems.
• Stomach symptoms – Like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
• Circulation symptoms – Pale skin, light-headedness, loss of consciousness

Some reactions could be mild to severe to even life threatening in food allergy problems, which are generally termed as anaphylaxis for which immediate medical treatment is required. 

Common foods that can cause food allergy in babies

Many foods can cause allergy depending on the immune system of your baby and their reactions to it, however some commonly known foods that can cause allergy are listed below: 

• Cow milk
• Peanuts
• Fish
• Shellfish
• Soy
• Eggs
• Wheat

It is also noted that 80% to 90% of the allergies are outgrown by the age of 5 years and some allergies are more persistent.

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