Reliable guideline for children's health
What is a food allergy?
Food allergy is a body reaction to a food that can cause serious health problems or even be life-threatening. This type of allergy is not a cold or flu, but an overly violent reaction of the body. In the United States, approximately 1 in 13 children has a food allergy. Common food allergens include milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, wheat, soy, peanuts and tree nuts. For people with food allergies, avoiding exposure to the food that triggers the allergy is the only way to prevent a reaction.
What are the symptoms of food allergies in children?
Typically the respiratory tract will have the following reactions:
Typically the skin will show the following reactions:
Typically the intestines will have the following reactions:
If you suspect you or your child has a food allergy, it is important to consult a medical professional for proper diagnosis and management advice. Work with schools, daycares and other caregivers to develop and implement emergency plans to ensure allergic reactions can be responded to quickly if needed. Through these measures, we can better protect children from the effects of food allergies and allow them to grow up healthy.