General Information About Food Allergies

If you are having an allergic reaction to a certain food item, it is your body's way of saying that it thinks that food item is harming the body. Your body reacts to this "message", by putting into motion allergic reactions, that we classify as allergy symptoms such as a rash, stuffy nose, or an upset stomach.

You can have anything from a mild allergic reaction to a serious food allergic reaction that can be fatal. Food allergies tend to be seen with multiple family members and food allergies are more likely in families in which other members have allergies symptoms such as eczema, asthma, or hay fever.

Children have more food allergies than are seen in adults. Children often outgrow their tendencies to have food allergies.

Food allergy symptoms:

You may be having an allergic reaction to food, if you experience tingling or swelling of your lips

Cramping of your abdomen, upset stomach, or diarrhea

Itchy skin with red, raised bumps called hives

Stuffy nose

Wheezing, or shortness of breath

Dizziness or being lightheaded

Kids will have the same symptoms as adults do when they have food allergies.

Kids with food allergies may also vomit, cry a lot, and have less than normal growth patterns.

Individuals may exhibit allergic reactions, even if they have taken just a tiny bit of the food item that they are allergic to.

The most severe form of food allergy symptom is an "anaphylaxis shock". This type of allergic reaction involves the entire body and usually starts within an hour of eating the food that the person is allergic to. The anaphylaxis reaction may look like:

Throat and or tongue becomes swollen

Wheezing or trouble breathing

Sick to the stomach, which may or may not involve vomiting

Fainting or passing out

Anaphylaxis shock can be fatal. If someone is showing these symptoms, call 911 immediately.

Common foods that people are allergic to include:

Eggs, dairy products, peanuts, wheat, soy, fish – especially for children, and shellfish

Individual with severe reactions to food should wear an ID tag stating what the food allergy is, in case of fainting or anaphylaxis shock, so that medical personnel can know this valuable information, if the person is unable to communicate.

Epinephrine kits can be carried in purses or briefcases of individuals with known severe food allergies. Your doctor can give you more information about these important safety kits.

If parents notice signs or symptoms of food allergies in babies or children, the pediatrician should be notified immediately. When known food allergies or other allergies exist in other family members, some pediatricians will advice introducing one food item at a time for infants when they are first being introduced to solids, so that any food allergy can be more easily identified. Children will often outgrow food allergies.

Your child's pediatrician may refer you to a allergist for food testing and desensitization, especially if the child is allergic to eggs, as immunizations such as the MMR will need to be given after the allergist has desensitized the child to egg.

If you have a child with food allergies, be sure to mention to those who may be feeding your child like babysitters, school lunch program administrators, teachers, organizations where snacks are provided what the food allergy is to. And, of course, make sure that your child knows what he/she is allergic to, when they are old enough to understand what food allergies are.

Food Allergies

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Food Allergies

Approximately 3 million children under the age of 18, suffer from food allergies. Parents, and an allergy specialist, discuss coping strategies.