Food allergies are something that we seem to hear about often. It seems like they affect so many different things; from eating at a restaurant, to food for school treats, to a child’s birthday party. Is it really an issue, or is it just a fad that will disappear soon? We sometimes have callers frustrated that the menu or treat they have planned is not acceptable just because one 
guest or child claims to have an allergy. One caller wanted to serve peanuts at a large bridal shower but was frustrated because people told her she couldn’t as the bride had a severe peanut allergy. She didn’t know what the “big deal” was; the bride should just not eat the peanuts. We discussed the possibility that if a child may handle some peanuts and later hug and kiss the bride. We explained that the risk to the bride for accidental exposure was too great and that peanuts must be eliminated from the menu. After all, who wants to get the bride sick at her own party?
Food allergies are simply a child or person’s immune reaction to a food. The person must have had some exposure or eaten the food previously to exhibit an immune reaction. Most food allergies are caused by one of these eight foods:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Wheat
- Soy
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts
- Fish
- Shellfish
Peanuts, milk, and eggs are the most common foods causing allergies. Some children may outgrow an allergy; other allergies are lifelong.
Symptoms of the allergy may begin within a few minutes of exposure to the food. Other reactions may occur after a longer period—an hour or so. The symptoms may include:
- Swelling
- Difficulty breathing
- Hives
- Wheezing
- Eczema
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Cramps
- Lowered blood pressure
Sometimes very young children or infants may be allergic to soy or milk. Usually colic or fussiness, poor growth, or blood in the stool are signs of this allergy. It does not take much of a particular food to cause a bad reaction in a person that is highly allergic.
Food allergies can’t really be prevented; however, delaying feeding solid foods to children for the first 6 months can help. Avoid feeding wheat, eggs, peanuts, fish, and cow’s milk during baby’s first year. If it is possible, try to breast feed for the first 6 months. This information was accurate when this blog post was written in 2016, however, now the recommendation on the American Academy of Pediatrics states “There is strong evidence that introducing allergens like peanut to babies at high risk for peanut allergy, starting as early as 4-6 months, may help reduce the risk of developing food allergies by up to 80%.”
There is no medicine to give a child to prevent food allergy, work with your doctor if you suspect a food allergy. Avoid those foods causing the allergy. Your doctor may advise using vitamins if your child’s diet is very limited. You may need to avoid those same foods if you are breast feeding. Small amounts of the allergen may be passed through the milk. If your child has severe allergies, your doctor may prescribe an emergency kit with an epinephrine pen.
