Food allergies are more common than ever in our children today, and there are many different foods that can be offenders and instigators of terrible allergic reactions in kids. An allergic reaction happens because of a severe over sensitivity to the dietary ingredients that are found in any offending foods. It isnt necessarily to the food itself; for example, someone that is allergic to peanuts is actually allergic to one of the components that are found in the nut, not the peanut itself.

Reactions to offending foods vary greatly from mild dry mouth to life threatening anaphylaxis. The immune system is the guilty party when it comes to food allergies because it reacts to substances that are normally harmless, thinking that it is a dangerous intruder. Unfortunately the immune system overreacts and attacks the substance, damaging the body in the process. The most common of food allergies in children by far is a peanut allergy. The good news is that about 25% of children who suffer from it will eventually outgrow it. There are many adults that suffer from this type too, though.

There is no cure for food allergies; the only way to treat it is with a diet of exclusion. Being vigilant with avoiding foods that may be contaminated with allergens, their oils, or particles is critical. Many safe foods are processed in a factory that also makes products that contain ingredients, which makes everything more complicated; this is an important piece of information for sufferers, and is listed on food labels.

Symptoms of food allergies are triggered when the body releases histamine to combat the ingredients. Histamine can induce constriction of the bronchioles in the lungs, which is also known as bronchospasm, or constriction of the airways. Someone suffering from an attack may have moderate or severe trouble breathing. Some of the other most common symptoms of a peanut allergy include vomiting and nausea, diarrhea, swelling of the lips, face, neck, and throat, and hives. Additional symptoms can include acute abdominal pain, anaphylactic shock, and sudden exacerbation of atopic eczema.

Anaphylaxis is an emergency situation that requires immediate attention, and usually needs epinephrine as a treatment. 911 should be called right away if this condition is suspected. Unfortunately for some people who have food allergies, just being in the same room with the offending products can prove to be fatal.

For more information on food allergies, please visit our website.

Related Posts
  • Preventing Child Allergies During Pregnancy
    Nearly all of us have some kind of allergy, and there is often no cure. Okay, sometimes allergies can be controlled, but it can be a real hassle having to avoid everyday foods and other substances. And some of us have su...
  • Caring For Gentle Baby Skin
    There is nothing more gentle and beautiful than baby skin, and similarly nothing more delicate. Baby skin is very vulnerable during the initial three years and tends to lose moisture as its functions are not completely ...
  • Babies First Solids - Baby Cereal Is A Good Start
    Pediatricians recommend that babies should be started on some kind of solid food between the ages of four to six months based in individual development. Factors like a stable neck among others are used to decide whether ...
  • How Parents Can Effectively Manage ADHD Children
    As a parent, you will want the best for your child. You wan them to grow up and develop into a healthy, strong and independent individual; to estbalish themselves in a forward moving career and have a family. Also, you ...
  • What is the Connection between Nutrition and Child Behavior?
    We are what we eat. Moreover we need to be more careful about what we put in our children’s mouths. Studies have shown that we have reason to be concerned about the relationship between food and behavior. Our food...
  • Anger Help for the Child : Importance of Parental Role Models and Lifestyle Changes
    A child with anger issues can cause chaos at home. Parents become short tempered; siblings become distant and the problem child becomes a scapegoat for anything that goes wrong in the house. We all want the best for ou...