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Food allergies are becoming increasingly common among children. The reasons for this aren’t entirely clear, but researchers believe that it probably comes down to a combination of factors in the environment, including, ironically, a lack of exposure to problem compounds in infancy.
Right now, peanut allergies are the most common among children - and the most publicized. There are, however, several others, of which you need to be aware as a parent. Cow milk allergies are the second most common, affecting some 1.9 percent of kids. Following that are shellfish and tree nut allergies, which affect 1.3 and 1.2 percent of people, respectively. Other allergies include wheat allergies, soy allergies, and egg allergies. Most children, however, outgrow egg allergies.
The symptoms of food allergies are varied. For some children, it is something serious like throat tightening, diarrhea, and seizures. For others, the symptoms are milder - perhaps coughing or sneezing.
While you might suspect that your child has a food allergy, the only way that you can know for sure is to visit a medical professional and get tested. Pediatricians will use a combination of different types of tests to determine what your child is allergic to, if anything.
Would you like to know more about the types of food allergies that affect children, and how to manage them? If so, please take a look at the following infographic. It discusses things like allergy prevention, treatment, and what to expect when you go to the doctor’s office for tests. Read on to find out more.
Infographic by Regis's Online DNP Program
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