A Parent’s Guide to Food Allergies
Below are common allergy symptoms in children. It’s not just foods that can trigger these symptoms. Other triggers include irritants like cigarette smoke and perfume; outdoor conditions such as tree pollen, insect stings, and insect bites; and indoor issues like mold, dust mites, and pet hair or fur.
A Parent’s Guide To Food Allergies
As parents know, life for a child with food allergies is a life that is constantly on alert. Everywhere – at school, at restaurants, at friends’ homes, even in their own home — children with allergies are constantly being reminded to “Watch out! Be careful!”
There’s certainly good reason for concern. Some food allergies can cause very serious reactions like anaphylaxis. It impairs breathing, causes blood pressure to tumble, and can even send the body into shock. That’s why many children with food allergies are often prescribed epinephrine.
Below are common allergy symptoms in children. It’s not just foods that can trigger these symptoms. Other triggers include irritants like cigarette smoke and perfume; outdoor conditions such as tree pollen, insect stings, and insect bites; and indoor issues like mold, dust mites, and pet hair or fur.
Common Allergy Symptoms In Children
- Difficulty breathing
- Skin rashes
- Skin hives
- Runny nose
- Itchy eyes
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Upset stomach
Common Food Allergies In Children
The two most common food allergies in children are:View Post
- Peanuts
- Milk
Other foods that can trigger allergies in kids include:
- Tree nuts, such as walnuts, cashews, and pecans
- Eggs
- Wheat
- Soy
- Fish
- Shellfish, such as shrimp, crab, lobster, and crayfish
“The foods that tend to have the most serious allergic reactions in children are peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish,” says Kimberly Gomer, MS, RD, Director of Nutrition at the Pritikin Longevity Center in Miami, Florida. Since 1975, more than 100,000 worldwide have come to the Center for education in heart-healthy living.
Pritikin Family Health Camps
Every summer since 2002, Pritikin’s faculty has also conducted Pritikin Family Health Camps that teach children healthy habits in food and fitness.
“In our family camps, we often help children with food allergies,” says Pritikin nutritionist Kimberly Gomer. “They enjoy learning about all kinds of foods, incredibly healthy foods, that they can eat and enjoy.”
More Information on Food Allergies and Children
The following links are filled with information that you may find helpful. Feel free to bookmark this page or share this information with others.
- Types of Food Allergies
- Common Food Allergies
- Food Allergies
- Food Allergy
- Food Allergy and Intolerances
- Diagnosing Food Allergies
- Overcoming Food Allergies
- Adult Food Allergies
- Adults and Allergies
- Food Allergies in Children
- Allergy Overview
- Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
- Food Recipes
- Parenting Recipes
- School Food Allergy Guidelines
- Allergy Free Recipes
- Allergy Free Recipes
- Help for Parents with Allergies in Children
- Allergy Resource Center
- Food Allergy Topics and Information
- Food Allergy Information
- Food and Other Allergies
- Life with Food Allergies
- Food Allergy Resources