What parents need to know about food allergies

To keep their children safe and healthy, parents need to be able to differentiate between a mere food intolerance (trouble digesting a particular food) and an authentic allergic reaction. That's when the immune system reacts to a food as if it were a threat, creating histamines and antibodies to combat it.

About 90 per cent of allergic reactions are caused by eight foods: peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish. Since kids like to share things, including toys, many schools have strict bans on common allergen foods, such as peanut butter, which can stick to fingers and get easily transferred. Kids can get a dangerous dose of allergens not only through eating these foods but also by rubbing their eyes or nose with contaminated fingers.

When mothers breastfeed, they have to be careful about their own diets, because what they eat can affect their breast milk.

Signs of food allergies can include:

• Vomiting, diarrhea or constipation
• Slow weight gain
• Blood in stool
• Irritability
• Rash

Of course, there could be other explanations for these symptoms, so best to always consult a doctor if you suspect a food allergy.

As children age, it gets a bit easier to spot food allergies. One common sign is a rash called urticaria or hives — raised, pink spots that are extremely itchy. They come and go, and usually appear after eating.

Other less immediate symptoms can include eczema, poor weight gain and stomach aches.

You need to go to a doctor for proper testing and advice rather than doing the diagnosis and treatment yourself. If you eliminate a suspected food from your child’s diet, you could unnecessarily eliminate something filled with important nutrients, which can cause other health problems.

Anaphylaxis is an acute allergic reaction to a foreign substance that can be life threatening. Signs include:

• Any trouble breathing, including wheezing, coughing or tightness of the throat or chest
• A rapidly spreading rash
• Swelling of the face, eyes, lips or tongue
• Vomiting, diarrhea or stomachache
• Dizziness or fainting
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat

If you suspect anaphylactic shock, call 911 and get your child immediate medical treatment.

If you know your child has a food allergy, here are some things you can do to shield them from exposure:

• Read food labels carefully, keeping in mind, for example, a non-peanut food might be processed in a machine contaminated with peanut residue.
• Carry safe food and snacks with you, and pass them along to babysitters, daycare providers and anyone else who looks after your child.
• Speak to your child’s school, making them aware of your child’s condition and see what policies they have in place to deal with food allergies.
• Make a plan in case your child has an allergic reaction, and communicate it to family and other caregivers. The plan may include always having allergy medicine or EpiPen on hand.

With the proper precautions in place, you won’t let your fear of food allergies eat you up.