Food Allergies in Children: Common Causes & Symptoms

A food allergy happens when the body reacts against harmless proteins found in foods. Food allergies are most common in babies and children, but they can occur at any age. They also occur more often in children who have other allergies or who have family members with allergies.

Most common food allergies

Any food could cause a food allergy, but most food allergies are caused by these foods or food groups:

• Cow's milk

• Eggs

• Peanuts

• Soy

• Wheat

• Nuts from trees (such as walnuts, pistachios, pecans, cashews)

• Fish (such as tuna, salmon, cod)

• Shellfish (such as shrimp, lobster)

Signs & symptoms of food allergies in children

Each child's food allergy symptoms are different. When the body's immune system overreacts to certain foods, the following symptoms may occur:

• Skin problems: hives, itchy skin rashes, swelling

• Breathing problems: sneezing, wheezing, throat tightness

• Stomach symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

• Circulation symptoms: pale skin, light-headedness, loss of consciousness

Food allergy symptoms can vary from mild to severe and usually occur shortly after the food is eaten. Peanuts, nuts, and seafood are the most common causes of severe reactions.

If several areas of the body are affected, the reaction may be severe or even life-threatening. This type of allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis and requires immediate medical attention.

Sometimes, a food allergy may be to one specific food in a category. For example, a child allergic to peanuts (which is a type of bean), may not be allergic to other beans like soybeans or green beans.

How are food allergies diagnosed?

If a food allergy is suspected, your child's doctor will try to figure out which food(s) is the cause. This can be difficult if the allergic reaction occurred after a meal with various foods. If your child has a chronic problem, such as skin rash or stomachaches, many foods in the diet must be looked at as possible causes.

There are also tests, including a skin prick test or blood tests, that can help narrow down possible causes. However, skin tests and blood tests are not always reliable. It is possible to have a positive test but no symptoms after eating the food, and sometimes a negative test is found despite a true allergy.

Your child's doctor may refer you to an allergist. An allergist has specialized training in diagnosing and treating food allergies.

How are food allergies treated?

Epinephrine is the main medicine to treat anaphylaxis. The medicine comes in auto-injector syringes. It's important to know how to use the medicine. Your child's doctor can go through the medicine directions with you. Ask your child's doctor what to do if the symptoms do not improve very quickly after a single dose.

During a reaction, an oral antihistamine may also be given, but not in place of epinephrine. Also helpful in case of an emergency is medical identification jewelry that includes information about your child's allergy. This should be worn at all times.

Living with a food allergy: tips for families

Avoid foods that cause food allergies.

• Food bought from a store. Read food labels carefully. Check them every time you buy a product because ingredients can change. Also, sometimes ingredients are not fully labeled. Words such as "natural flavors" or "spices" could include a variety of ingredients. You may need to contact the manufacturer to find out the exact ingredients.
  
  
• Food made at home. If the food your child is allergic to is used in your home, you must be careful not to mix it into your child's "safe" food. To avoid cross-contact, make sure to use clean utensils, plates, pans, and serving trays. Also do not store unsafe foods with safe foods.
  
  
• Food made in restaurants. Careful planning and clear communication with those preparing the food is very important if you eat at a restaurant. Make sure you let the restaurant know about your child's allergy, and speak with someone who truly knows the ingredients and how the food is prepared.
  

Create and share action plans.

• Create and share action plans. When your child is away from you including at a family or friend's house, at school, a child care center or camp, have a written plan. The plan should outline what needs to happen to avoid problem foods, recognize and treat a reaction and get medical care. See "Create an Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan."
  

More information

• Symptom Checker: Food Allergy

• Peanut Allergy: What to Know About the Latest Prevention Guidelines
  

• Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network