Food Allergy in Kids
Allergies are more common in some families than in others. All of us are allergic to some food or the other like tea, coffee, etc similarly kids also have allergy for a particular food So in this article I have mentioned few common food allergies found in kids.
Common Food Allergies in Kids
In young children,the most common food allergies found are:
1) Allergy to Peanuts and other nuts:
Avoid nuts and nut products until the baby is two years old and whole nuts until the baby is five years old.
2) Allergy to Wheat:
Wheat should be given to the baby after six months of his/her age. The gluten component in wheat can cause permanent sensitivity to all wheat products, which is called coeliac disease. So delaying the introduction of wheat until the age of six months reduces the risk of coeliac disease developing in a baby. Remember, rusks, wheat cereal and teething biscuits contain wheat in them so avoid wheat and wheat products until the baby is old enough.
3) Allergy to Cow's milk:
Cow' milk contain too little Vitamin D and iron for a baby of this age. Mother's milk is the best milk because it contains all the nutrients and antibodies needed for the child's development and protects the child from all diseases. Kids are often found to be allergic to Cow's milk and its milk products such as cheese, ice cream, yogurt, buttermilk, etc.
4) Allergy to Eggs:
Eggs contain proteins in it and is also one of the cause of food allergy found in infants. So eggs should not be given to an infant until he is one year old. Similarly avoid other dishes made of egg like cakes, puddings, etc.
5) Allergy to Soy:
Avoid Soy milk, Soy formulas and other foods like veg burgers, soybean oil, tofu and hot dogs which contain soy proteins and may cause allergy symptoms in kids. Symptoms of food Allergy in child
Food allergies can cause the following symptoms which range from mild to severe such as-
1) Rashes such as Eczema and urticaria.
2) Diarrhoea, Vomiting, Abdominal pain.
3) Failure to grow or put on weight.
4) Coughing, Wheezing or shortness of breath.
Food allergy and Food intolerance are both different terms. Allergy means that the immune system is at fault whereas Intolerance means there is no hard evidence of the immune system being involved.
Although diarrhoea can result from food allergy, it isn't a common cause. Diarrhoea can also be the effect of the form or texture of a food item rather than the ingredient itself. This happens with many foods, especially corn and wholemeal bread. Avoid goat's or sheep's milk too. In order to keep your child away from such food allergies leave the suspected food out of your baby's diet for a few days , and always mash or sieve the food more finely before giving it to your baby. There are no medicines available for food allergy. The only treatment is to avoid that particular item in the food due to which it happens.