Learn About Food Allergies to Help Your Infants and Young Children Stay Healthy
One in 13 children in the United States has food allergies
From 1997 to 2011, the U.S. saw an increase by 50% of children with food allergies. For a time, doctors were recommending that parents delay the introduction of top food allergens -- milk, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, and soy – in children until they were older. However, according to Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) and the American Academy of Pediatrics, more recent research indicates that the early introduction of a wide variety of foods is recommended and may help lower the risk of developing food allergies.
However, you should always consult with your doctor to learn more about early allergen introduction and devise a plan you both are comfortable with before introducing new foods, including food allergens like peanuts, to your young child. Food allergies are very serious, and in severe cases can cause a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
Below you will find answers, provided by FARE resources, to some of the most common questions about food allergies and young children.
1. How do you know the difference between a food allergy and food intolerance?
Food allergies involve your immune system and can be life-threatening. A food intolerance is when your body has trouble digesting a food, such as lactose which is a natural sugar found in milk. Being food intolerant can make you feel badly, usually with an upset stomach, but it is not immediately life-threatening.
2. What are the most common food allergy symptoms parents should watch for in their children?
Here’s a complete list of symptoms from FARE, but these are the most common symptoms: wheezing, trouble breathing, coughing, throat tightening, stomach cramps or pain, vomiting, diarrhea, irritated eyes, hives, itching or swelling of the lips, tongue or mouth.
Infants and young children who may be allergic to milk and soy may have these symptoms: colic, blood in their stool and poor growth.
3. What factors place children at higher risk to have a food allergy?
Children who have:
a parent or sibling with a food allergy
other allergies, including food or non-food items
asthma or eczema
4. How much of a food allergen does it take to cause a reaction?
Even trace amounts of a food allergen can cause a reaction in some people with food allergies. Although ingestion is the primary cause of severe reactions, in some cases, skin contact or breathing in a food protein can cause symptoms.
5. Is there a cure for food allergies or will my child outgrow them if they have food allergies?
There is no cure for food allergies and the only medicine to stop anaphylaxis, a severe reaction with life-threatening symptoms, is an epinephrine auto-injector (epi-pen). As to children outgrowing food allergies, peanut, tree nut, fish and shellfish allergies usually are lifelong. Milk, egg, wheat and soy allergies usually begin in childhood and eventually may be outgrown for some children.
6. How do I keep my child safe when they are ready for child care?
FARE provides some great tips in this article, “Food Allergies in Early Childhood,” and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention created guidelines for schools and early childhood programs to help manage and support children with food allergies that can be viewed here.
When we have questions about food allergies, our top source for accurate information is FARE. You can find the answers to all of the questions above and more, resources to help you learn more about food allergies as your child grows and samples of emergency plans you can use for your own family at foodallergy.org.
