Children and Food Allergies

As many as 6 million U.S. children have food allergies. 

An allergy happens when the immune system, your body's defense against germs, has a reaction to a particular food. It can be mild, like an itchy feeling or hives. Sometimes you get severe symptoms -- called anaphylaxis -- like trouble breathing, a swollen tongue, or dizziness.

Food allergy reactions can vary from person to person. Some can be very mild and only involve one part of the body, like hives on the skin. Others can be more severe and involve more than one part of the body. Reactions can happen within a few minutes or up to a few hours after contact with the food.

Symptoms Include:

Hives (red spots that look like mosquito bites)

Itchy skin rashes (eczema, also called atopic dermatitis)

Swelling

Sneezing

Wheezing

Throat tightness

Nausea

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Pale skin

Light-headedness

Loss of consciousness

The primary way to manage a food allergy is to avoid consuming the food that causes you problems. Carefully check ingredient labels of food products, and learn whether what you need to avoid is known by other names.

Children with dairy, wheat, milk and soy allergies outgrow them 90-95 percent of the time. The chance is much lower when it comes to nut allergies. If you suspect your child has a food allergy, definitely talk to your doctor.

Pediatrician Dr. Kevin Dahlman from Aurora Health Care was a special live guest Monday at 4.

His interview is attached to this text.

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