A child’s food allergy is a fairly common problem that many parents face. An allergic reaction can occur on almost any product, so it is very important to know the main symptoms, treatment methods and methods of preventing this disease.
Food allergy in a child and its causes
An allergic reaction develops, as a rule, as a result of the use of a particular product. This phenomenon is associated with excessive sensitivity of the body, which considers a certain substance to be dangerous, as a result of which special antibodies and immunoglobulins are released. The causes of allergies are not always known, but there is a hereditary tendency to such diseases.
Food allergy: photos and main symptoms
An allergic reaction is accompanied by a number of very characteristic symptoms:
- The most characteristic symptom is a skin rash. Rashes, red spots, sometimes even pustules and sores appear on the child's body . Quite often, a rash appears on the face and skin of the abdomen. As a rule, a skin reaction is accompanied by severe itching.
- Food allergies can also cause digestive upsets. Children often suffer from bloating, nausea, belching, and vomiting. Sometimes there are diarrhea and abdominal pain.
- Another manifestation of food allergies is swelling. By the way, this symptom is dangerous, especially if severe swelling of the mucous membranes, skin and eyelids is observed - this can signal the onset of anaphylactic shock, in which the child simply needs emergency medical care.
Food allergies in a child: the most dangerous foods
As already mentioned, an allergic reaction can develop on any product. Nevertheless, several of the most dangerous allergens have been identified:
- Cow's milk is probably the most common allergen, especially among children under the age of one year. The problem is that almost all artificial mixtures contain cow's milk protein . Therefore, for such a baby, you need to choose food very carefully.
- Citrus fruits, red fruits and berries, carrots, grapes, kiwi.
- Chicken eggs, especially yolks.
- Fish and seafood.
- Legumes, including peas, lentils, soy.
- Nuts.
- Honey.
- Chocolate.
It should be borne in mind that not only what the baby himself eats is important here. If the baby is breastfed, then allergens enter his body along with breast milk. Therefore, nursing mothers are required to observe the correct - hypoallergenic - diet.
Food Allergy in a Child: Diagnosis
As a rule, after examination and familiarization with the symptoms, the doctor may suspect the presence of food allergies. A blood test is prescribed, which will show an increased amount of immunoglobulin E. If it is not known which products lead to the development of the reaction, then it is necessary to conduct skin tests: concentrated and purified solutions of potential allergens are applied to the skin, after which they await a reaction.
Food Allergy in Children: Treatment and Prevention
The surest way to protect your baby’s body from allergies is to eliminate any contact with allergens. This means that from the diet of the child (or mother) it is necessary to completely exclude all potentially dangerous foods. Antihistamines are also used that stop the development of allergies, relieve spasm of the respiratory tract, and eliminate swelling. In most cases, an allergy is a temporary phenomenon that disappears as the child grows, although some children carry this problem with them into adulthood.