Food Allergies & Nasal Congestion in Children

Food allergies in children manifest in a variety of ways including skin irritation, asthma, congestion and life-threatening anaphylaxis. Chronic congestion in children that presents year-round symptoms most commonly signifies ongoing exposure to an unknown food allergen.

• Allergies to foods may cause inflammation in the nasal passages.

Significance

• Children typically develop food allergies to common triggers such as corn, wheat, nuts, eggs, dairy, soy, shellfish and finned fish, causing moderate to severe nasal congestion referred to as allergic rhinitis.

Identification

• Allergic rhinitis occurs when children are exposed to a food allergen through ingestion or inhalation of cooking fumes, presenting hay fever symptoms of congestion, sneezing, runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, wheezing and coughing.

Function

• Allergic nasal congestion causes excess fluids and mucus to clog the Eustachian tubes and block sinuses, preventing drainage. This results in symptoms of facial pressure, middle ear pain and infection due to infiltrating bacteria.

Benefits

• Children predisposed to food allergies due to family history benefit from allergy testing. Doctors conduct food challenge tests, exposing a child to potential food allergens, determining allergies based on reactions.

Prevention/Solution

• Nasal congestion resulting from food allergies can be relieved with oral antihistamines that reduce inflammation for increased breathing and comfort. Eliminating food allergens from a child's diet reduces symptoms.