Food allergies among kids have risen to about 18% in the last decade, according to a report by CDC. According to this report, 4 out of 100 kids below 18 years suffer from food allergies.
It was assumed that only peanut allergies among kids were on rise. However, according to this report, food allergies in general have increased among children. Now, about 4% of kids in U.S. suffer from food allergies
Milk, egg, peanuts, fish, tree nuts, shellfish, soy and wheat are the most common foods which cause allergies.
How to Detect Food Allergy in Kids?
If your kid gets skin rash or hives after eating a certain food, you should contact a pediatrician immediately. Abdominal pain, nausea, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath are other symptoms of food allergy.
How to Handle Food Allergies in Kids?
Here are some ways to handle food allergy in kids:
- Get your child diagnosed: Based on your child’s symptoms, a doctor or an allergist can diagnose the food allergy through various allergy tests. Getting diagnosed will help your child to avoid the allergic foods
- Familiarize yourself with the food labels: Reading the food labels and recognizing the ingredients will help you to avoid the foods to which your child is allergic to. Also, parents can teach their kids to read the food labels. This will help them to avoid allergy causing foods
- Be careful while eating out: While eating out, ask the hotel staff about the ingredients in the food. After inquiring, you can decide if the food is safe for your child to eat
- Make sure your child carries an epinephrine: Make sure your child carries self-injectable epinephrine such as Epi-Pen to prevent anaphylaxis
Children should be taught to stay away from the food they are allergic to. For example, kids should be careful while sharing lunch boxes in school. Parents should educate their children about their allergies. This will help kids to manage food allergies effectively
