Children and Food Allergies

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If you’re wondering if it seems there are more children than ever with food allergies these days, you are absolutely correct. Sometimes it seems there are new friends around every corner, in every classroom, on every school bus with an allergy, a sister or brother or two with allergies, or a cousin with an epi-pen just waiting to ingest a peanut accidentally.

There is absolutely nothing more serious to a parent or a child suffering from food allergies than the threat of their swallowing something that could cause them pain, discomfort, a rash, diarrhea, dark circles under their eyes, hyperactivity or even death.

The most basic and fundamental way to deal with food allergies is through the process of observing your child or baby and getting to understand what things he or she is eating during the course of the day. By making notes of this in the form of a food journal, the process of elimination will be that much easier and you may be able to rule certain things out right away.

Of course for infants and serious food allergy reactions, medical intervention will have to come immediately as no parent or caregiver would risk putting their young or severely allergic child through the painstaking process of observation and elimination without some medical support.

The peanut allergy seems to be related to “lupin” which is a decorative European flowering plan. Over the years this plant has been genetically modified and is often used to replace soya.

If your child is allergic to peanuts, they may also be allergic to this plant, so products containing lupin, such as many “gluten-free” products, may put your child at risk for allergic reaction.

In the year 2007, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, about three million children younger than the age of eighteen have either a digestive allergy or a food allergy.

Between the years of 1997 to 2007, food allergies have, among children, increased by 18. Out of one hundred children, four will suffer from some type of food allergy.

These youngsters are boys and girls. The allergies do not discriminate, with the highest rate being between the ages of 0 and 5 years of age.

Currently no one really knows precisely why so many more children are suffering from food allergies than ever before. Some of the theories, though, include: genetically modified food, changing genetics of human beings, and the overuse of antibacterial cleaners and other “overly-clean” agents which don’t allow us to build our immune systems up the way we once did.

Once again, the real reasons are not known at this time. Certainly, consulting with your pediatrician and continuing an ongoing investigation into the ways to keep your child happy, healthy and safe, is highly recommended for all families.

Sources:

Allergies, Intolerances, Food. babyandkidallergies.com
Retrieved October 4, 2011 from
http://babyandkidallergies.com/index.php

Food Allergy – What is causing so many children to have food allergies?allergicchild.com. Retrieved on October 4, 2011 from
http://www.allergicchild.com/causes_food_allergy.html

Reviewed October 5, 2011
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith

Aimee Boyle is a regular contributor to EmpowHER

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.