Food allergies are
usually more experienced by infants and toddlers. If you or your partner has a
certain food allergy, the child also has the chance to have the same allergy
later on. Even so you don't worry too much, because everything can be prevented
if you pay attention to some important things, including knowing the signs and
symptoms of food allergies in children.
Food allergies are different from food intolerance
Most people consider food
allergies and food intolerance to be the same thing. In fact, they are
different.
Food allergies occur when
the immune system overreacts to compounds that are considered dangerous after
consuming certain foods. Food allergies can be chronic (lasting a long time),
or acute (suddenly).
While food intolerance
does not concern the immune system, it is caused by the inability of children
to digest certain substances in food (such as lactose).
Recognize the symptoms of food allergies in children
Before assuming all
symptoms and diseases as "food allergies", you should first know the
symptoms of food allergies in children.
On breathing:
- Nasal congestion
- Hard to breathe
- Colds
- Sneezing
- Wheezing
- Sore throat
On skin:
- Red spots that look like mosquito bites)
- Itchy skin rash (eczema, also called atopic dermatitis)
- Swelling
In blood circulation:
- Pale skin
- Missing balance
- Lost consciousness (fainting)
In digestion:
- Nausea
- Gag
- Diarrhea
- Stomach ache
Food allergic reactions
can appear differently. Your child may come up with a reaction only in one part
of the body as mentioned above, or it actually involves many parts of the body.
In some cases, children
may also experience anaphylaxis, which is a condition when the body gives a
reaction that is classified as severe to threaten the safety of his soul. That
is why, symptoms of food allergies in this one child need immediate medical
treatment.
Some foods that commonly
cause allergies
Although all foods have
the potential to cause allergies, most cases of food allergies are caused by:
•
Eggs
•
Cow's milk
•
Wheat
•
Peanuts
•
Soybeans
•
Peanuts (such as walnuts, pistachios, and cashews)
•
Fish (like tuna, salmon, cod)
•
Shellfish (such as shrimp and lobster)
In general, peanuts, nuts
and seafood are triggers of severe allergic reactions. Food allergies in meat,
fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and seeds such as sesame may also occur.
Apart from that, food
allergies in early childhood can be lost. About 80-90 percent of allergy to
eggs, milk, wheat, and soybeans will not appear again when the child is 5 years
old.
However, there are still
a number of persistent allergies, for example, one in five children can recover
from peanut allergies, but fewer can recover from nuts or seafood allergies.
Pediatricians and
allergists can do several tests to diagnose food allergies in children and
monitor their progress, whether the allergy is gone or not.
Various ways to overcome food allergies in children
If you suspect your child
develops allergic signs and symptoms in children as mentioned above, contact
your doctor immediately for further treatment.
Doctors can find out
which foods cause allergies and help provide care according to the needs of the
child. Doctors may also prescribe medications such as antihistamines to treat
symptoms.
