Effects of Food Allergies in Children

Food allergies in children are triggered by immunoglobin E antibodies that recognize a substance entering the body as being harmful, causing a release of chemical histamines. Histamine responses lead to inflammation, causing allergic reactions upon ingestion, inhalation or skin contact.

• Food allergies cause an array of symptoms in children.

Function

• Moderate food allergies cause allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma due to inflammation of the nasal passages and airways, resulting in sneezing, runny nose, congestion, coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing in children.

Effects

• Wheat gluten and dairy allergies typically manifest in the digestive system when products such as baked goods, cereal, milk or cheese are consumed, producing symptoms of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fatigue.

Potential

• Foods such as aged cheeses, grains, legumes, fruits and nuts may present cross-reactivity with pollen and mold, meaning they present seasonal allergy symptoms in children mimicking hay fever reactions of allergic shiners, conjunctivitis and congestion.

Considerations

• Food allergies in children may cause skin irritation in the form of itchy hives or eczema. Allergic hives spread and enlarge in the mouth within five minutes of contact during severe reactions.

Warning

• Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening reaction, common to seafood and nut allergies, and triggered by minimal contact, such as inhalation of cooking fumes, causing instant swelling leading to suffocation and unconsciousness.

Prevention/Solution

• Children predisposed to developing food allergies due to family history benefit from diagnosis through doctor-conducted food challenge tests and elimination diets. Children are treated with antihistamines, inhalers and emergency epinephrine shots.