Food Allergies in Kids

The reaction of the body (immune system) when a specific food is consumed is technically referred as a ‘food allergy’. The food substances which trigger such behavior by the immune system are called allergens. Food allergies have become very common amongst infants and in fact have become a serious problem amongst preschoolers. Breastfeed babies can also occasionally react to the food their mothers eat.

What makes it challenging to diagnose the food allergy is the fact that the symptoms (also called the reaction) can be delayed for hours after the food intake. Certain food allergies even lead to vomiting or food indigestion. The symptoms can range from mild rashes to life threatening reactions.

Some of the allergies last for a couple of years and the kids eventually become immune. However, the majority of them stay life-long, prompting for extra attention.

[Image4 Photo by David Castillo Dominici http://www.freedigitalphotos.net]

It becomes imperative for us, as parents, to closely watch the diet of our kids to be able to identify allergic symptoms, if any, as early as possible.

Though there are some treatments available for the different types of allergies, it is widely believed that the best way to cure them is to prevent them from occurring.

Here are some useful tips to prevent allergic conditions in kids:


[Image3 photo by Jomphong, http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/]


[Image2 Photo by marin, http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/]




The above list is indicative and would vary from one child to another. The onus lies on the parents to monitor the child’s diet and take appropriate steps. If not sure, we need to take it up with a pediatrician and seek their advice before firming up our kid’s diet plan.


#food
#eating
#allergies

%parent101