What To Do If Your Child Has A Food Allergy
Frank J.Senturi
Allergies can be downright annoying. They can be even worse for those who discover they have food allergies. Often, parents can not tell when their child has developed an allergy to food or food by products until the child has come in contact with the food. By this time, unfortunately, it is already too late because the child has suffered through a bad allergic reaction.
Food allergies are different from food sensitivities, but both take place in the immune system. Food allergies cause life threatening reactions because the immune system has to attack the food as soon as it enters the body or bloodstream.
An antibody called IgE forms in the immune system to protect the body by clinging to the food proteins that a child (or an adult) is allergic to. When these IgE proteins start to build up, the bloodstream emits harmful chemicals which can result in swelling, difficulty in breathing, vomiting, itching and other symptoms which can even cause certain body systems to shut down.
Food allergies are usually detected before a child reaches three years old. While this is normally the case, many children develop allergies to food later when they are exposed to a wider variety of foods.
The most common food allergies come from products like milk, soy, eggs, wheat and nuts. These foods account for over ninety percent of allergies in children.
There is a considerable difference between having sensitivities to certain foods and being allergic to certain foods. Those who merely have sensitivities to certain foods will experience allergy-like reactions long after eating the food in question. Many times, there is a lapse of at least two hours before the reaction occurs.
People who have true allergies to a food will feel the effects practically right away. These reactions will also happen each time the responsible food is ingested. Although some allergies, if avoided early on, can be outgrown, there are many that a child will continue to have to deal with as an adult.
If you think that your child might have an allergy to food, it would be best to have your child screened with an allergy skin test. With this test, there will be no more doubts in your mind about the safety of your child. If a skin allergy is detected, be certain to inform all family, relatives, friends and providers of health care about it. You must also teach your child the importance of asking about the food they are being served. Knowing what foods are causing allergies can help you avoid those foods altogether.
It is practically impossible to keep your child away from potentially dangerous foods all the time. The most common allergens are usually found on food labels to warn consumers. While this is very helpful, many children do not know how to read labels and may grab a snack without realizing what is actually in it.
Since food allergy reactions can become life-threatening, make sure to always have an Epi-pen around. An Epi-pen can stave off dangerous reactions until professional help arrives. Once the Epi-pen is administered, call 911 to get your child proper medical attention.
Author Frank J.Senturi has been researching and reporting on http://healthupdatesonline.com/ health conditions for many years. You can get more tips and advice on http://healthupdatesonline.com/2007/09/07/allergic-reaction) treating allergic reactions as well as on many other related subjects at his web site.
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