Food Allergies on Children
Food allergies may cause only an itchy mouth and throat; other allergies trigger a rash or cramping, with nausea and vomiting or diarrhea, as the body attempts to flush out the irritant. Still other common allergic food symptoms include hives, and in more severe cases, shortness of breath. In severe reactions (such as in tree nut or peanut allergies), the child may develop a sudden, life-threatening reaction called anaphylactic shock.
Severity of food allergies and when they develop depends on the quantity of the food eaten, the amount of exposure the child has had, and the child’s sensitivity to the food. Common foods that may cause allergies include cow’s milk, soy, egg, wheat, seafood, nuts, and peanuts. Severe symptoms or reactions to any allergen require immediate medical attention. Children with a severe allergy to foods must carry injectable epinephrine (Epipen), which can reverse anaphylactic shock. Fortunately, severe or life-threatening allergies occur only in a small group of children.
There is no cure for allergies, but it is possible to treat the symptoms. The easiest way is to eliminate exposure to allergens. If that is not possible, then medications may be given, such as ANTIHISTAMINES or a nasal spray steroid. In some cases, an allergist may recommend allergy shots to help desensitize a child. If a child is extremely sensitive to a particular food, or if the child has asthma in addition to the food allergy, his doctor will probably recommend that parents carry injectable epinephrine (Epipen) to counteract the allergic reaction in the event of an inadvertent exposure.
Food allergies are usually not lifelong, but reactions to nuts or seafood can last a lifetime. In these cases, avoiding the food is the only way to avoid symptoms while the sensitivity persists.
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