Food Allergies: Facts & Tips

Millions of people suffer from an allergic reaction to peanuts however identifying this in children can be highly difficult. Allergies can be triggered by various things such as cats, dogs, pollens, dust, mould or food and detecting a specific genre of allergy in a toddler can be a minefield. As many at 8% in children under two years of age have an allergy or food sensitivity e.g., Dr Mitchell R Lester, immunologist and paeditrician states that "a toddler with atopic dermatitis, which is a type of eczema, may have a food allergy. So if they have moderate to severe exzema, that may be contributing". He continues, "If they are allergic to eggs, for example, and the mother is nursing and eating egg, that might be affecting the child.

Dr Lester continues to say that "With food allergies, the most effective cure is elimination. So, if they're reacting badly to something, the mother should identify what it is and elminate it from the child's diet. Eggs, cow's milk, soy and wheat account for 90% of food allergies in young children. However, later in life, peanuts, tree nuts, gluten, shellfish and fish are the most common triggers, making up 90% of allergies in older children and adults". One theory is the level of protein that foods contain may attribute to a particular allergy.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, "the majority of people with a food allergy have a peanut allergy", and it estimates that "one in every 100 children and adults are affected. Regulations to compel food manufacturers to label the products that contain any of the major allergens, including peanuts and tree nuts, can be unclear. This product contains nuts, may create confusion so if you are unsure about the product, then do not buy it. Within the adult population it is far easier to tell if there is an allergy to foods. However, this is not the case with youngsters.

If you find that a particular foodtype triggers a reaction in your child, and the reaction is usually swift, itching, hives, swelling or breathing problems, then you should recognize immediately that this is an allergy to the foods ingested. In very young children the tell-tale sign can sometimes be eczema and if any of these signs persist you should get medical advice immediately. Food allergies are responsible for several hundred deaths in the US yearly so it is imperitive that parents/guardians become more aware of what is the common factor causing allergic reactions in their children. Dr Lester states that "elimination is the most effective cure".