Managing Food Allergies in Children: A Paediatrician’s Guide

Food allergies are a growing concern for parents and healthcare providers alike. These immune system reactions can significantly impact a child’s daily life, making it crucial for families to understand and manage them effectively.

When a child consumes certain foods, their body may mistakenly identify these as harmful, triggering an immediate response. Symptoms range from mild discomfort to life-threatening anaphylaxis, including hives, swollen airways, and digestive issues.

Food allergies affect about 8% of children under age 5, compared to 4% of adults. They’re more common in infants, with 2-5% of babies under one experiencing reactions, often due to their developing immune and digestive systems.

What are Food Allergies?

Food allergy in simple terms, is your immune system’s immediate anti-reaction to certain foods. When consumed, these foods prompt the body to launch a defensive reaction, resulting in symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to severe health risks. Common signs include hives, swollen airways, and digestive issues. 

In extreme cases, food allergies can cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical attention. While food allergies can affect anyone, they’re particularly prevalent in children, emphasising the need for early detection and proper management.

Understanding Food Allergies in Children

Children, especially younger ones, often struggle to articulate their symptoms clearly. This makes parental vigilance crucial in identifying potential food allergies. Be alert to signs such as:

• Persistent refusal of certain foods
• Hives or skin rashes
• Abdominal pain or digestive issues
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Dizziness or lightheadedness

Children may describe their discomfort in vague terms, such as feeling like something is stuck in their throat or complaining about an itchy mouth or swollen tongue. These seemingly minor complaints could indicate a serious allergic reaction.

Remember, allergic reactions can escalate quickly, potentially leading to anaphylaxis – a life-threatening condition. Understanding these signs and symptoms is essential for prompt intervention and ensuring your child’s safety.

Common Symptoms of Food Allergies in Children

Food allergies affect children mostly during infancy and early childhood. Also, it is important to be vigilant as they can sometimes be life-threatening. Therefore, it is important to understand the common symptoms, triggers, and management strategies for preventing and treating food allergies. Some common symptoms are:

• Congestion or runny nose
• Cough
• Diarrhoea
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Itching around their mouth or ears
• Nausea
• Red, itchy bumps on their skin (hives)
• A red, itchy rash (eczema)
• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
• Sneezing
• Stomach pain
• A strange taste in their mouth
• Swelling of their lips, tongue, and/or face
• Vomiting
• Wheezing

What Causes Food Allergies in Children?

Food allergies are a common but complex phenomenon that impacts a child’s quality of life. When your child has a food allergy, it is their immune system that is reacting to a particular food. Consequently, the system considers the food as a foe and attacks it. The exact cause is still a mystery, but familial history may be a contributing factor. The reaction therefore triggers symptoms.  

It is unfortunate that there is no cure for food allergies, so the only effective prevention strategy is to avoid the allergen. Consequently, selective diet, reading food labels and precautions in food preparation should be followed by parents to manage their child’s condition. Some common food triggers include:

• Peanuts and tree nuts (walnuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios)
• Cow’s milk
• Eggs
• Fish and shellfish (shrimp, lobster)
• Wheat
• Sesame
• Dairy
• Eggs
• Nuts
• Soybean
• Wheat
• Fish
• Shellfish
• Peanuts
  

Essential Tips for Parents: Navigating Childhood Food Allergies

It is a great idea to involve your child in managing their food allergy which can boost their confidence and independence. Here are some strategies to consider:

Education and Awareness

• Food Label Detective: Make it a habit for your child to read food labels for allergens. Also, teach them to understand the scientific names of ingredients.
• Questioning Ingredients: You should encourage your child to question before eating. Also, tell them to ask questions when dining out.
• Safe Food Sharing: Make them understand the risks of sharing food with classmates. Explain that their food may contain allergens.
• Educating Peers: Teach your child to share their experiences and raise awareness among friends about food allergies.

Preparedness and Prevention

• Avoidance Diets: Team up with your child to follow a diet that excludes allergenic foods.
• Safe Food Preparation: Make your child know the importance of safe food preparation to avoid cross-contamination.
• Emergency Action Plans: Talk to the child’s doctor to be ready with an emergency action plan for an allergic reaction.
• Medications: In your absence, your child should have access to prescribed medications as needed.

Anaphylaxis Preparedness

• Emergency Care Plan: Be ready with an emergency care plan given by the paediatrician that details how to recognize and respond to a severe allergic reaction.
• Epinephrine Auto-Injector: Learn how to use epinephrine auto-injector correctly. Also, teach your child at the first sign of a reaction.
• Medical ID: Put a medical ID bracelet or necklace on your child to alert others about their food allergy.

Avoiding Hidden Threats: Navigating Food Allergies

You can prevent food allergy reactions by avoiding the offending allergens. Therefore start reading food labels

Decoding Food Labels

• Read Carefully: Remember even a small amount of any allergen can trigger a reaction. 
• Preventing Cross-Contact: Avoid cross-contact because allergens can transfer from surfaces or utensils to safe foods.

• Cleaning Practices: Keep the kitchen clean and maintain hygiene.
• Public Places: Be vigilant in restaurants, schools, and public places to avoid cross-contact with allergic food.

Breastfeeding: Nature’s Protection

No one can guarantee to prevent food allergies. However, some strategies can reduce the risk.

• Delayed introduction of allergens: Feed Breast milk to your baby as it contains antibodies that protect a baby’s immune system from developing allergies.
• Nutrient-rich foundation: Breastfeeding also provides essential nutrients that help healthy immune development.

Gradual Introduction of Solid Foods

• One at a time: You should introduce one new food at a time to allow for easier identification of potential allergens.
• Observe for reactions: Also, monitor your child for any signs of allergic reactions to new foods.

Avoiding Potential Allergens

• Delaying certain foods: It is better to delay giving common allergens like peanuts, eggs, and milk till the baby is a year old.
• Allergen-free environment: Create an allergen-free environment if someone in the family has a food allergy.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Food Allergies

While allergies are mostly harmless, however, it is important to seek medical help under the following conditions:

Anaphylaxis: When the child experiences severe symptoms and has difficulty breathing, swallowing, or chest pain after eating. You must seek immediate medical attention. Also, neglecting these symptoms may lead to a life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.

Other Symptoms: Be vigilant and see if your child regularly experiences hives, itching, or other symptoms after consuming certain foods. If such conditions recur, it is essential to consult with a paediatrician immediately.

Remember, early intervention is key in managing food allergies. Don’t hesitate to consult with a paediatrician or allergist if you have concerns about your child’s health.

Conclusion

Managing food allergies in children requires vigilance and expert guidance. Monitor your child for allergic reactions and teach them to recognize symptoms. Early detection and proper management can significantly improve their quality of life.

At Dispur Poly Clinic and Hospitals, our experienced paediatricians provide compassionate, comprehensive care for children with food allergies. We offer support from initial diagnosis to ongoing management and emergency care.

Take control of your child’s food allergies today. Call +91-8822669275 to schedule a consultation with our pediatric specialists and ensure your child receives expert, personalised care.