Food Allergies in Children: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Management

Understanding food allergy symptoms, diagnosis and management is crucial to children’s well-being. Identifying food allergy signs can help you protect your child. This article details everything you need to know about food allergies in children.

What Causes Food Allergies in Children?

Food allergies in children occur when their immune system overreacts to certain proteins found in food. When a child consumes allergenic food, their immune system identifies it as harmful.  It releases chemicals, such as histamine, to fight off the perceived threat. This immune response leads to various symptoms and allergic reactions. Foods that cause allergies in children include: 

• Soy
• Fish
• Eggs
• Wheat
• Peanuts
• Shellfish
• Cow's milk
• Tree nuts (such as almonds, cashews and walnuts)

Allergies can lead to hearing impairment. This occurs when sound waves are blocked from reaching the eardrums, resulting in histamine and tinnitus in the ears and muffled sounds. 

Symptoms of Food Allergy in Children

After consuming certain foods, children with food allergies may experience effects within an hour. Symptoms may vary from child to child. These symptoms include:

• Eczema
• Diarrhea
• Coughing
• Wheezing 
• Stomach pain
• Weak heartbeat
• Itching and redness 
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty in breathing 
• Drop in blood pressure
• Severe nausea or vomiting
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat

How to Diagnose Food Allergies in Children

A physical examination and thorough health history will determine if your child has an allergy. The health history should include what foods were consumed before allergic symptoms appeared. To confirm the diagnosis, the healthcare provider may perform a variety of tests such as:

• Skin prick test: The skin prick test detects levels of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies related to particular allergens, such as food or pollen. A small quantity of the allergen is put on the skin, then scratched. If a child has an allergic reaction to the allergen, a tiny raised bump resembling a mosquito bite will appear after fifteen minutes.
• Blood tests: Blood tests measure IgE antibodies to allergens in the blood. The most commonly used test is RAST (radioallergosorbent test). These tests may be used when food allergies are still unclear after the skin test. However, a positive result does not always mean an allergy is present.
• Food challenge test: A food challenge test conducted by an allergist involves your child inhaling a minimal amount of an allergen. The child is then carefully monitored for any reactions that may occur.
• Diet elimination: Your healthcare provider may ask you to eliminate certain foods from your child’s diet for a specific period. This may be done to find out which foods cause physical discomfort. The process involves taking out specific items from your diet for a week or two and then going back. However, no proof exists to determine if a reaction is due to a true allergy or sensitivity. 

Managing Food Allergies in Children

Design a treatment plan for food allergies and allergic reaction management with your child's healthcare provider. This plan should outline steps to take in case of an allergic reaction, including the use of emergency medications such as epinephrine auto-injectors. Food allergies are incurable. Therefore, to manage it, avoid allergenic foods.

Endnote

Food allergies in children can cause a range of symptoms that affect their overall well-being. Identifying food allergy symptoms, diagnosing them correctly and effectively managing them can help ensure your child's safety. If you suspect your child has a food allergy, consult a healthcare professional for guidance on managing their condition.