About 5 percent of children in Australia have been diagnosed with a food allergy. Common food allergies are to nuts, shellfish, milk, and cereals. Most food allergies will appear during a child's first year.
What causes food allergies?
Food allergies are caused when the body overreacts to a particular protein in food. The body releases a substance called histamine in an effort to rid the system of the protein it identifies as hazardous. It is the histamine that causes the symptoms of food allergies.
Are food allergies serious?
Food allergies can be serious. Some allergic reactions are very severe. These severe reactions are called anaphylactic shock. Anaphylactic shock can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical treatment.
Can I prevent food allergies?
You can't prevent food allergies, but you can help your child avoid allergy attacks by identifying the foods that are responsible for the condition.
How do I know if my child has food allergies?
Kids with food allergies generally have the following symptoms:
- Itching, burning and swelling around the mouth
- Runny nose
- Skin rash (eczema)
- Hives - raised red patches on the skin (urticaria)
- Diarrhoea and abdominal cramps
- Breathing difficulties, such as wheezing
- Nausea and vomiting
The symptoms of food intolerance can be very similar.
How do I treat food allergies?
It is important to help your child avoid any foods she is allergic to. She needs to understand that these foods can cause her to have an allergic reaction so she can avoid them when she's not at home too. Read food labels thoroughly to ensure that the foods you feed your children don't contain even tiny quantities of foods that should be avoided.
Should I call the doctor?
Your doctor can help you identify the foods your child is allergic to so that she can avoid eating them. It is important to speak to your doctor and avoid diagnosing and treating a food allergy yourself, because some food allergy symptoms can mimic more serious medical conditions.
If your child has any of the following symptoms, seek emergency care immediately as these can be signs of anaphylactic shock:
- Difficult or noisy breathing
- Tongue swelling
- Throat swelling or tightness
- Excess wheezing or coughing
- Loss of consciousness or collapse
- Young children may become pale and limp
What you need to know about food allergies
- Food allergies are very common in children
- Common allergies include nuts, shellfish, gluten and milk
- Kids with food allergies need to avoid eating the foods they are allergic to
- Medication may help relieve symptoms
- Anaphylactic shock, a very severe allergic reaction, is a life-threatening condition
- There is a difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance