About 2.2 million school-aged children, and one in every 17 children younger than 3, have food allergies. Food allergies often are more common in individuals who have family members with allergies.

With a true food allergy, a child’s immune system will overreact to an ordinarily harmless food. Once the immune system decides that a particular food is harmful, it creates specific antibodies to it. The next time the child eats that food, the immune system reacts in order to protect the body.

Six foods account for 90 percent of food allergies:
•    Milk.
•    Eggs.
•    Peanuts.
•    Wheat.
•    Soy.
•    Tree nuts (walnuts, cashews, pecans are examples).

Symptoms of allergic reactions
The most common reaction to a food is hives. Asthma symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing or difficulty breathing also may be triggered by food allergies, especially in infants and children. Symptoms may appear within minutes or up to two hours after the child has eaten the food. As they get older, some children may tolerate foods that previously caused allergic reactions. However, less than 25 percent of individuals with peanut allergy will outgrow it.

Severe allergic reactions
In some cases, eating certain foods can cause a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis are temporarily reversed by treatment with injectable epinephrine, antihistamines and other emergency measures. It is essential that anyone with symptoms of anaphylaxis gets immediate emergency treatment.

Staying safe
Be informed, check ingredients carefully. Following is a checklist to help avoid foods that may affect your child’s allergies:

•Always read labels. Ingredients can change unexpectedly.
•    To avoid eating a “hidden” food allergen away from home, always ask about ingredients when eating out. Taking the ingredient out of a dish that is about to served is not a solution. In addition, cross contamination may occur if the same utensil is used to prepare other foods. Food allergens also can be airborne, especially in steam.
•    Tell your family, friends and your child's school or daycare about your child’s food allergies. Remind them that strict avoidance is key when managing food allergies, and even one little bite can hurt.
•    If your child’s food allergies are severe, be prepared for emergencies. Carry and know how to use injectable epinephrine and antihistamines to treat unexpected reactions.

Diagnosis
If you think your child may have food allergies, an allergist/immunologist is the best-qualified professional to diagnose and care for your child.

Asriani Chiu, MD, is an allergist/immunologist in the Asthma and Allergy Center at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Asthma and Allergy Center staff includes 12 allergists with international reputations in the fields of allergy, asthma and immunology, who treat both children and adults. Other clinic staff includes nurse practitioners, a nurse education specialist, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and respiratory care practitioners.

FAST FACT:  Not eating the foods your child is sensitive to is the only proven therapy for food allergies.