Recognizing Food Allergy Symptoms in Kids

A Variety of Food Allergy Symptoms in Kids

The child food allergy symptoms in kids can either come all of a sudden and would look like classic allergy reactions; alternately, they show a delayed reaction and may appear after three days of having food. The digestion and absorption process moves food and food chemicals through the body in this period.

Child food allergy symptoms in kids are dependent on the following individual factors.

	Quantity of allergenic food that has been taken in by the child
	Past history of exposure of the child to the allergenic food with quantum
	Child’s sensitivity to the specific allergen. Child’s sensitivity to the specific allergen. Child’s sensitivity to the specific allergen.

The child food allergies can be categorized as either fixed or cyclic depending on the allergic response; the fixed food allergy results from the allergic response to the immune antibody immunoglobulin E whereas the cyclic food allergy is caused by immunoglobulin G. The fixed food allergy is easily identifiable whereas the cyclic food allergy is difficult to recognize and diagnose. The cyclic allergy occurs when the allergen goes through the digestion and absorption process. The cyclic food allergies are more common and they are known as food intolerances in medical circles.

Traditionally, food allergy symptoms in kids include:

	Oral Allergy Syndrome - when food is swallowed itchiness is felt in the mouth and throat
	Hives - near mouth or widespread on the body as food allergens are digested
	Skin Rash
	Nasal allergy symptoms, including itchy nose, runny nose, stuffy nose, or congestion

Other food allergy symptoms in kids are:

	Stomach upset and nausea
	Vomiting
	Abdominal cramping
	Diarrhea
	Constipation
	Asthma, asthma-like symptoms, and breathing difficulties
	Eczema

Many parents are not aware that an eczema skin rash is concerned with food allergy; for those people who are in this business eczema is a common food allergy symptom in kids and both food allergies and eczema are closely linked with children.

Severe Food Allergy Symptoms in Kids

A large number of food allergies can be classified as mild to moderate annoyances; however, the balance percentage of children are suffering from severe and sometimes life-threatening food allergy symptoms, including anaphylactic shock.

Anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock is a rare but serious condition; it is the end result of a severe allergic reaction. The reaction affects the whole body, causing a sudden drop in blood pressure and narrowing of the airways. The symptoms of anaphylaxis are

	Swelling and itching in the mouth, throat and airways
	Difficulty in breathing
	A drop in blood pressure, which makes the person feel weak
	A rash, anywhere on the body and the skin may appear flushed
	Difficulty in swallowing or speaking
	Abdominal cramps
	Nausea and vomiting
	Feeling of 'impending doom'
	Collapse and unconsciousness

If the child has an attack of anaphylaxis it needs urgent medical attention; this attack can come immediately after the child eats an allergenic food or within two hours of taking such food. The anaphylaxis may subside immediately after medical treatment but return later; hence children having severe allergic food reaction should be under close medical observation.

The number of child food allergy cases which are severe is relatively small; however some children are susceptible for greater risks. Such cases are children with asthma, hay fever and eczema; these children are prone to severe food allergy symptoms. The maximum number of severe child food allergy cases is due to peanut allergy which accounts for 80% of the food allergy cases.

One of the treatments for severe food allergy reactions is to inject epinephrine; injectable epinephrine is pharmaceutical adrenaline which is helpful for combating a severe reaction. This is only an emergency treatment and the child has to be taken to hospital immediately. Since the child needs followup care any child who has injectable epinephrine should be taken to an emergency ward for further testing and treatment. In case your child had severe food allergy or worsening food allergy symptoms you must consult your doctor for using injectable epinephrine as an emergency measure.

Most child food allergy symptome are in the range of mild to moderate and do not belong to the category of severe; these child food allergy symptoms will be outgrown over a period; however, it is advisable to identify the food allergies symptoms so that proper action can be taken for avoidance of food allergies and also treating food allergies.