How to Navigate Food Allergies and Intolerances in Children

Understanding Food Allergies and Intolerances in Children

Can Allergies Be Cured Forever?

While you cannot typically cure food allergies, you can take steps to prevent allergic reactions. The key is identifying the specific food items that trigger the allergies and avoiding them at all costs. Understanding your child's allergies is the first step toward managing them effectively. Food allergies have annoying responses to the trigger; if possible, avoid them at all costs.

Is It a Food Allergy?

Sometimes, what appears to be an allergy may be due to other factors such as food poisoning, intolerance, or even sheer coincidence. It's essential to consult with healthcare professionals to accurately diagnose your child's condition and develop a proper management plan. If symptoms that usually don't occur show up, make sure you consult the paediatrician and get medicated.

Food Allergies in Children

Food allergies in children involve immune reactions triggered by specific proteins in foods. Prevalent food allergens are listed below:

• Milk
• Eggs
• Wheat
• Soy
• Tree nuts
• Peanuts
• Fish
• Shellfish

Hence, most packaged food requires mooting the abovementioned food exclusively in manufacturing to prevent unnoticed consumption. When buying food, check if the food uses an alternative to the trigger food that your child doesn't respond well to.

General Symptoms of Food Allergies in Children and How to Deal with Them

Symptoms of allergies show up anywhere, ranging from minutes to a few hours after ingestion. A few common signs that lead to allergies due to food are as follows:

• Swelling
• Eczema
• Itching or tightness in the throat
• Difficulty in breathing
• Wheezing
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Hives
• Lowered blood pressure

If your child shows signs of a reaction, it's best to consult your family doctor or paediatrician for treatment and tests to confirm the specific food that triggered it. This will help prevent incidents. 

Once you have identified the allergen that causes the problem, you can avoid it. By chance, if it happens to be so that your child consumes it by mistake, keep over-the-counter antihistamines prescribed by a doctor to reduce the effects of the allergy. If the signs are severe and indicate anaphylaxis, get emergency help. 

Food Intolerances in Kids

On the other hand, food intolerances do not involve the immune system but rather difficulty digesting certain foods. While intolerance is related to the digestive system, food allergies have more to do with the immune system. This can lead to symptoms like bloating, gas, or discomfort. It's important to distinguish between allergies and intolerances for appropriate management.

Sometimes, the body can tolerate the food if it is avoided for a time, then reintroduced in small doses, particularly for food intolerances. Intolerance calls for particular chemical reactions to happen in your gut, and symptoms could be annoying but not as severe as in allergies.

Most Common Food Intolerances in Kids

Here are the most common intolerances in children:

• Lactose – Found in dairy products.
• Gluten – Found in foods like bread and pasta.
• Histamine – Found in foods like cheese.
• Caffeine – Found in coffee, tea, and some fizzy drinks.
• Sulfites – Found in cider.
• Salicylates – Found in some fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices.
• Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) – Found in ripened fruits, cured meats, and savoury foods.

Avoiding the Common Food Intolerances in Children

As mentioned above, some common intolerances can be due to frequently used food items, leading to tough times for your child's gut health. So, you can use alternative ingredients to provide the same nutritional value to your child. However, intolerances happen after a specific limit of ingestions, depending on the individual's sensitivity.

Ensure you recommend a paediatrician before cutting off the food item entirely from the diet. For instance, for lactose intolerance, you can replace milk and dairy products with almonds, chia seeds, tofu, and dried figs.

Other Food Allergies and Sensitivities in Children

Gluten Intolerance in Babies (Celiac Disease)

You could stumble upon any grain and not be surprised to find gluten. Wheat, barley, rye, triticale, and other grains contain gluten. So, to prevent intolerances due to gluten, referred to as celiac disease, always make sure to ask the chef in restaurants if the cooking is gluten-free, and also prevent using the same utensils for gluten and non-gluten products.

Treating Egg Sensitivity in Children

Eggs are vital and nutrient-dense, but if your child has difficulty digesting eggs, watch out for other items that could replace the one-of-a-kind whole food. Eggs are found in almost every bakery product, but in small quantities, they might pass your digestive tract unnoticed. However, avoiding it is the best way to get away with it. 

In cases of accidental intake, ensure you have antihistamines to relieve mild symptoms due to intolerance. In cases of adverse effects, a paediatrician could guide you to prevent a particular set of foods and even medicines or vaccines that include eggs. 

Managing Kids' Food Allergies and Sensitivities

Identifying Trigger Foods

Learn to identify and eliminate potential triggers from your child's diet. Regularly monitor their food intake and reactions.

Allergy-Friendly Diets

Discover allergy-friendly diet options that can relieve sensitivities for children. Consult with a dietitian for a tailored dietary plan.

Reading Labels

Understand how to read food labels to avoid allergens and intolerant foods. Teach your child to recognize and avoid these ingredients as they age.

Make Your Child Aware

While you're there to protect your child, educating them about their allergies and intolerances is essential. Teach them what foods to avoid and how to communicate their dietary needs to others when you're not around.

Avoiding Fried Foods

Since one uses the same utensil and oil to fry something else, an allergy-triggering food would likely have been cooked in the oil before. This is also beyond your scope of control, and restaurants might use the same oil for long periods. It is better not to consume fried food for better health.

Wrapping Up

Navigating food allergies and intolerances in children requires vigilance, awareness, and proactive planning. By understanding the differences between allergies and intolerances, identifying trigger foods, and adopting allergy-friendly diets, you can ensure your child's safety and well-being. 

Staying in touch closely with healthcare professionals, including allergists and dietitians, can provide you with the knowledge and support needed to manage your child's unique dietary needs effectively.