Food allergy in children : Increasing prevalence

Food Allergy in children

Dr Priyanka Udawat 

Ped Gastroenterologist

Lifestyle medicine physician

Allergy specialist 

A food allergy is an abnormal response of the body to a certain food. IgE antibodies react with the food, histamines are released, which can cause your child to experience hives, asthma, itching in the mouth, trouble breathing, stomach pains, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.

Food allergy causes an immune system response, causing symptoms in your child that range from uncomfortable to life-threatening. Food intolerance does not affect the immune system, although some symptoms may be the same as in food allergy.

Causes:

Eggs, milk, and peanuts are the most common causes of food allergies in children, with wheat, soy, and tree nuts also included. Peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish commonly cause the most severe reactions. Nearly 5 percent of children under the age of five years have food allergies. From 1997 to 2007, the prevalence of reported food allergy increased 18 percent among children under age 18 years. Although most children "outgrow" their allergies, allergy to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish may be lifelong.

Allergic symptoms may begin within minutes to an hour after ingesting the food. 

Each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include Vomiting, Diarrhea, Cramps, Hives, Swelling, Eczema, Itching or swelling of the lips, tongue, or mouth, Itching or tightness in the throat, Difficulty breathing, Wheezing and Lowered blood pressure. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, it does not take much of the food to cause a severe reaction in highly allergic people. 

Treatment:

There is no medication to prevent food allergy. The goal of treatment is to avoid the foods that cause the symptoms. It is very important to avoid these foods and other similar foods in that food group. If you are breastfeeding your child, it is important to avoid foods in your diet to which your child is allergic. Small amounts of the food allergen may be transmitted to your child through your breast milk and cause a reaction.

In case of severe food allergy, health care provider may prescribe an emergency kit that contains epinephrine, which helps stop the symptoms of severe reactions. 

In some children, certain foods may be given  again after three to six months to see if he or she has outgrown the allergy. Many allergies may be short-term in children and the food may be tolerated after the age of 3 or 4.

Allergies to milk and soy are usually seen in infants and young children. Often, these symptoms are unlike the symptoms of other allergies, but, rather, may include the following: Colic (fussy baby), Blood in your child's stool & Poor growth.

Allergy testing can be done by skin prick test (SPT)  and clinical correlation:

Recommendations:

The development of food allergies cannot be prevented, but can often be delayed in infants by following these recommendations:

·       If possible, breastfeed your infant for the first six months.

• Do not give solid foods until your child is 6 months of age or older.
• Avoid cow's milk, wheat, eggs, peanuts, and fish during your child's first year of life.

Tips for dealing with food allergies when your family is eating away from home:

• Know what ingredients are in the foods at the restaurant where you plan to eat. When possible, obtain a menu from the restaurant ahead of time and review the menu items.
• Let your server know from the beginning about your child's food allergy. He or she should know how each dish is prepared and what ingredients are used. Ask about preparation and ingredients before you order. 
• Avoid buffet-style or family-style service, as there may be cross-contamination of foods from using the same utensils for different dishes.
• Avoid fried foods, as the same oil may be used to fry several different foods.