About six percent of all
children have documented food allergies—and this percentage
is growing. These food allergies can be severe and they may
be difficult to control because they can involve very common
foods. And while food intolerances can cause upset stomachs,
headaches or other uncomfortable symptoms, some food
allergies are life threatening.
“In these reactions, the
food triggers an immune system response that can cause a
life threatening reaction called anaphylaxis,” explains
John Villacis, M.D., an
allergist with The Austin Diagnostic Clinic (ADC). “In
the most extreme cases, these symptoms include swelling of
the throat, lips and tongue, a severe drop in blood
pressure, hives, and a rapid pulse or loss of
consciousness.”
It is at this point when a food allergy can turn deadly,
especially in children, who may be unable to recognize or
communicate their symptoms promptly.
Can food allergies be prevented?
Children are most commonly allergic to eggs, cow’s milk
(and dairy products), peanuts, shellfish, nuts, wheat and
soy. Fortunately, many children outgrow allergies to milk,
soy, wheat and eggs. But allergies to shellfish, peanuts and
nuts are more likely to be life long.
Food allergies have not been confirmed to be inherited. But
having allergies in general does put a child at a higher
risk of having food allergies. The most common factor in
developing food allergies, however, is the premature
introduction of specific foods in a child’s diet.
“There is no proven way to
determine if your child will have a certain food allergy or
not,” explains Dr. Villacis. “And the only way to prevent it
from occurring is to never expose the child to the
allergenic food, which is nearly impossible.”
Dr. Villacis identifies steps from the American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP) that could help prevent—or at least prolong
the onset—of severe food allergies.
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Consider avoiding
peanuts during pregnancy—Avoiding peanuts
during pregnancy and while breast feeding may help
prevent a
peanut allergy.
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Breast feed—Breast
feeding exclusively until a baby is at least
6 months old may reduce the risks of developing
severe food
allergies.
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Don’t introduce solid
foods too early—AAP recommends delaying
the introduction of solid foods until a baby is 6
months old.
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Introduce allergenic
foods slowly—Introduce solids (baby food,
pureed foods) at 6 months, cow’s milk at 1 year,
eggs at 2 years
and peanuts, nuts and fish at 3 years. Introducing
these foods
at an earlier age has been associated with an
increased risk
to developing food allergies in children. |
Diagnosing the allergy
Food allergies can still occur, even if these
precautions are taken. So how can you tell if your child has
a food allergy? According to the National Institute of
Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a child may first
experience itching in the mouth or trouble swallowing as
they start to eat the food. Or the child may experience
abdominal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea or pain. Once
the food allergen enters the bloodstream, the child’s blood
pressure may drop. And eventually it can induce hives,
eczema or asthma. Any or all of these symptoms may occur,
and they may take place within a matter of minutes or up to
an hour after the food is consumed. If a child is showing
these severe, acute symptoms, contact 911.
Otherwise, if you suspect that your child is developing a
food allergy or if you have a strong family history of
allergies in general,
Dr. Villacis recommends talking with your child’s physician
about allergy testing.
“If a food allergy is suspected, an allergist will do a skin
test or obtain blood work to diagnose it,” he says. “Once a
food allergy is found, the physician can equip you with the
tools and information you need to help keep your child
safe.”
Taking control
Avoidance is the only way to prevent an allergic
reaction. But for common foods like peanuts, avoidance can
be extremely difficult because foods that don’t obviously
contain allergenic ingredients can still have trace amounts.
Finding allergens on pre-packaged food labels, however, is
becoming easier. In January 2006, a law called the
Food
Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act was passed
that requires complete and easily readable ingredient
information on all food labels.
Children with severe food allergies should also wear a
medical alert bracelet or necklace. These children may also
be prescribed an adrenaline or epinephrine auto-injector, in
case of severe anaphylactic shock. This prescription is in
the form of a syringe that should be carried with the child
or with the child’s caregiver at all times. If the child
goes into anaphylactic shock, the adrenaline may prevent the
progression of anaphyalxis.
“It is also extremely important to educate your child and
his or her teachers and caregivers about how and why to
avoid the allergen,” advises Dr. Villacis.
Taking precautions may not prevent childhood food allergies,
but as food allergies in children become more common, it is
important for parents to be aware of the symptoms and the
steps they can take to help keep their child safe.
