Food Allergies in Children

When it comes to foods like spinach and broccoli, almost every child is picky and refuses to eat. Yet selectivity has nothing to do with the refusal of some children to eat certain foods. This may be due to food allergies, which are common in children. However, most parents don't know about a food allergy until the child first consumes the food and develops a reaction. For this reason, it is important that everyone responsible for the care of the child, especially the parents, and teachers are aware of  the symptoms of food allergies in children.

What is a Food Allergy?

A food allergy is an immune reaction of the child's body to certain foods. This is completely different from food intolerance that does not affect the immune system. Although the severity of the food allergy experienced varies according to the child, it can be mild or life-threatening. The most common food allergies in children are:

• Wheat
• Seafood
• Hazelnut
• Soybean
• Milk
• Nuts
• Egg

What Are the Symptoms of Food Allergy?

A true food allergy can affect your child's breathing, intestinal tract, heart and skin. A child with a food allergy develops one or more of the following symptoms a few minutes to 1 hour after consuming the food. Here are the food allergy symptoms:

• Itching around the mouth and ears
• Taste change in the mouth
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Red and itchy swelling on the skin (hives)
• Swelling of the lips, tongue and / or face
• Sneezing
• Wheezing
• Diarrhea
• Stomach ache
• Eczema
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing
• Cough
• Congestion, runny nose

Severe Symptoms of Food Allergy

Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction. It threatens patients life. Symptoms may include:

• Feeling faint, dazed or confused
• Loss of consciousness
• Tightening in the throat
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Fast and weak heartbeat
• Sudden drop in blood pressure and dizziness
• Difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath or wheezing
• Seizures
• Hoarseness or difficulty speaking
• The skin is cold, moist or blue
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue and throat

Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. If you suspect your child has anaphylaxis, you should seek medical attention immediately.

What Foods Trigger Allergy in Children?

When children and infants have food allergies, the immune system overreacts, producing allergic symptoms. Foods that trigger allergies in children are:

• Fish and shellfish
• Wheat
• Cow milk
• Soybean
• Peanuts and other nuts (walnuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios)
• Egg

How is Food Allergy Diagnosed in Children?

“How to recognize food allergy in babies?” The question is among the topics of interest. If your child has a food allergy, the doctor will perform a physical examination and extensive tests. He also takes a detailed history of foods eaten before allergic symptoms. After a physical examination and patient history, the doctor will order some tests to make a definitive diagnosis. These tests are:

Skin Test (Prick Test): The skin test measures IgE antibodies against allergens such as foods, pollen or pet dander. This test is performed by applying a small amount of diluted allergen to the skin. If the child has an allergy, after 15 minutes, small raised bumps appear on the skin.

Blood test: The most commonly used blood test is called RAST (radioallergosorbent test). Blood tests may be used when skin tests are not available or if there are still questions about a food allergy after the skin test. A positive test does not always indicate a specific allergy. Therefore, a positive result should be interpreted by a specialist who knows the medical history of the child.

How is Food Allergy Treatment in Children?

“How does a food allergy go away?” The question can also be answered as follows:

The goal of treatment is to avoid foods that cause symptoms. It is very important that your child does not eat these foods or other similar foods in that food group. If you are breastfeeding your child, you should definitely talk to your child's doctor about whether you should avoid these foods as well. If your child is unable to eat certain foods during the treatment period, supplements may be provided by the doctor. Children at risk of severe reactions should always carry 2 epinephrine autoinjectors with them wherever they go. This helps stop the symptoms of severe reactions.

Is There a Drug Treatment for Food Allergy?

There are no drugs used in the treatment of food allergy in children and infants that prevent the occurrence of symptoms.

What is Food Allergy Monitoring?

Allergy symptoms in 6-month-old babies and symptoms observed in older children should be followed up regularly by an allergologist. Food allergy such as cow's milk, wheat, soy and egg  allergy disappears in early childhood or school age. Some food allergies, such as nuts, also disappear at older ages or may persist throughout a person's life. In this process, the family and the child should be conscious about the foods consumed. Children who have a severe allergic reaction to food should have an epinephrine (adrenaline) pre-filled syringe with them. In addition, it should be ensured that children wear wristbands or carry ID cards indicating allergies.

What Happens If Food Allergy Is Not Treated In Children?

When food allergy symptoms in children and infants are not treated, the child's healthy eating routine is disrupted and developmental problems may be experienced. Untreated food allergy also causes poor feeding, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and constipation. Allergies that have effects on the skin also cause the child to experience skin problems and therefore reduce the quality of life. Anaphylaxis may occur when food allergy is not noticed or its treatment is delayed. With anaphylaxis experienced by consuming suspicious food, the child may experience shortness of breath, shock, low blood pressure, skin problems and gastrointestinal problems within minutes.

Does Childhood Food Allergy Persist into Adulthood?

“What to do with a child with a food allergy? Does this problem continue into adulthood? If you are wondering, here is the answer to this question:

In cases such as cow's milk allergy, the problem disappears by 50-60% when the child is 1 year old, 70-75% of the cases disappear by the age of 2, and 85% after the age of 3. Egg allergy disappears in 55% after the age of 5. However, even if walnut, peanut, hazelnut, shellfish and fish allergy are treated, if the IgE allergy tests are positive, the allergy may be persistant.

What Can I Do to Prevent Food Allergies in My Child?

“What is good for a child with allergies? What can I do?” The question can also be answered as follows:

• There is no evidence that breastfeeding or formula feeding provides further protection against food allergies. If you are breastfeeding, you do not need to avoid any food unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Give your baby only formula or breast milk until 1 year old. Do not give your baby full-fat milk until 1 year old.
• Giving your baby eggs early can help prevent an egg allergy. Introducing other foods early will not help prevent allergies.
• Every type of food has the potential to cause allergies. For this reason, if your child is sick frequently, has wheezing, has reflux, constipation and diarrhea, has skin problems with rash, you should evaluate whether there is a food allergy or not. If this is the case, you should definitely provide treatment with expert advice.
• You should not self-diagnose your child with food allergy and do not go for food restriction without consulting a specialist.
• You should definitely have information about what can be consumed instead of foods that cause allergies. In this regard, you should get help from a nutrition and diet specialist.
• You should definitely read the label when purchasing ready-made food.

How Can I Help My Child Live With A Food Allergy?

Living with food allergies means not giving your child the food your child is allergic to. Eating out can be difficult, although families can exclude the allergen from their homemade meals. Here are some tips for dealing with your child's food allergies when dining out:

Know what ingredients are in the food at the restaurant you plan to eat at. Tell the waiter about your child's food allergy from the very beginning. Before ordering, ask how the food is prepared and what's in it. Do not let your child eat fried foods. The same oil can be used to fry several different foods. Another trick to dining out is to carry a food allergy card with you. Before ordering food for your child, you can give it to the waiter. A food allergy card contains information about specific ingredients your child is allergic to. There is also additional information, such as a reminder to ensure that all tools and utensils used to prepare the meal are thoroughly cleaned before use. You can easily print these cards yourself using a computer and printer. Make sure to report your child's food allergy to the school. Your child should always have epinephrine auto-injectors with them. Do your best to avoid foods that cause allergies, but always be prepared for accidental exposure or reaction. Ask your healthcare provider for an anaphylaxis action plan outlining the symptoms to look for and the steps to take in the event of a severe allergic reaction.

What are the Differences Between Food Allergy and Food Intolerance in Children?

What are the differences between food allergy and food intolerance in children? You can get the answer to this question from the table below:

How long does a food allergy last in babies?

“When does food allergy in babies go away?” The question can be answered as follows:

Many children can recover from food allergies in early childhood. It is estimated that 80% to 90% of egg, milk, wheat, and soy allergies will disappear by the time the child is 5 years old. “When does multiple food allergy in babies go away?” The same answer can be given for the question.

How do we know what a child is allergic to?

If you observe symptoms such as recurrent cough, runny nose, wheezing, frequent colds, recurrent sneezing, nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, skin rash or itching in your child, you can determine what he or she is allergic to by having a skin test or blood test.

How is food allergy in children treated?

If the child's food allergy is mild, allergy medication is prescribed by the doctor and the treatment is initiated. However, if the food allergy is severe, intervention with cortisone may be required. This process is planned by the doctor.

What are the symptoms of food allergy?

Symptoms include itching around the mouth and ears, taste change in the mouth, dizziness or lightheadedness, red and itchy bumps on the skin (hives), swelling of the lips, tongue and/or face, sneezing, wheezing, diarrhea, abdominal pain, eczema, vomiting, nausea , shortness of breath, cough, congestion and runny nose.

After how many hours does a food allergy symptoms present?

Food allergy symptoms may appear within 2 hours after consuming the allergen. However, these symptoms can be seen 2-3 days or 1 week later in some cases.

How about food allergy in children?

Food allergy occurs when the child's body experiences an adverse immune reaction to certain foods.

At what age does food allergies resolve?

In cases such as cow's milk allergy, the problem disappears in 50-60% of cases when the child is 1 year old, in 70-75% by the age of 2, and in 85% after the age of 3. Egg allergy disappears in 55% of cases after the age of 5. However, even if walnut, peanut, hazelnut, shellfish and fish allergy are treated, if the IgE allergy tests are still positive, the allergy may be persistent.

How to do an allergy test at home?

A blood sample is used in the vast majority of home allergy test kits. These test kits, which are extremely easy to use, also contain detailed instructions for application. In accordance with these instructions, it is sufficient to pierce your finger with the needle from the kit, drop 1-2 drops of blood into the tube, and then send this sample to the laboratory.

Are food allergies permanent?

In cases such as cow's milk allergy, the problem disappears in 50-60% of cases when the child is 1 year old, in 70-75% by the age of 2, and in 85% after the age of 3. Egg allergy disappears in 55% after the age of 5. However, even if walnut, peanut, hazelnut, shellfish and fish allergy are treated, if the IgE allergy tests are still positive, the allergy may be a life long issue.

What are the red flags of an allergy?

Feeling faint, light-headed or confused, loss of consciousness, feeling like the throat is closing, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, fast and weak heartbeat, sudden drop in blood pressure and dizziness, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath or wheezing, seizure, hoarseness or if symptoms such as difficulty speaking, cold, clammy or blue skin, swelling of the face, lips, tongue and throat are observed.

Does the allergy go away on its own?

Some allergy symptoms may ease with age.

What happens if an allergy is not treated?

When food allergy symptoms in children and infants are not treated, the child's healthy eating routine is disrupted and developmental problems may be experienced. Untreated food allergy also causes poor feeding, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and constipation. Allergies that have effects on the skin also cause the child to experience skin problems and therefore reduce the quality of life. Anaphylaxis may occur when food allergy is not noticed or its treatment is delayed. With anaphylaxis experienced by consuming suspicious food, the child may experience shortness of breath, shock, low blood pressure, skin problems and gastrointestinal problems within minutes.

Which doctor should I go to for food allergy?

When food allergy symptoms are observed, the patient should be taken to a pediatric allergist, that is, a pediatric immunology and allergy specialist.

How are allergies treated in children?

In order for the redness on the skin to go away, it is important to find the allergen that causes the allergy. Then the child's contact with this allergen should be avoided.

What are the common allergenic foods?

Legumes, fish, wheat, cow's milk, shellfish, nuts (hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachios, etc.), soy, sesame, peanuts, eggs.