Managing a child's food allergy sounds simple: Just avoid the trigger food. As any parent knows, that can be a challenge. Knowing how to prevent and handle a severe reaction can help you both feel more confident.
Common Food Allergies in Children
An allergic reaction happens when the body's immune system thinks something in a food (usually a protein) is harmful. Children are most likely to be allergic to peanuts and cow's milk. But they can also be allergic to:
- Eggs
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Tree Nuts
- Wheat
- Soy
Allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish are usually the most severe and last a lifetime. Your child may outgrow other food allergies.
Severe Food Allergy Symptoms
Your child is likely to have a reaction within a few minutes to an hour after eating a problem food. Symptom of a mild allergy include:
- Hives
- Rash
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
Symptoms of a severe allergy can include those listed above, as well as:
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or breathing because of throat swelling
- Shortness of breath or wheezing
- Drop in blood pressure, causing dizziness and lightheadedness
- Loss of consciousness
- Chest pain
The most dangerous reaction, anaphylaxis, is a medical emergency. When it happens, the throat swells, preventing breathing or swallowing. The heart rate rises as blood pressure drops. If not treated, anaphylaxis can be fatal.