When Your Child Has Food Allergies

A child can react to a food allergy at home, at school, while in a caregiver's home, while in church school, at a friend's house. If you know your child has a food allergy you should make sure than anyone who could ever possibly feed your child a meal or snack knows what your child is allergic to. You should also warn your child to never take food from a stranger or someone who does not normally give them food, as they may not be aware of the food allergy. Teach your child about the food allergy and what foods to not eat.

Learn what your child's allergic reactions look like and teach your child what to be looking for so he/she can recognize when a allergic reaction is happening so he/she can get help. When everyone involved understands what an allergic reaction looks like and knows how to get medical care immediately, your child will be safer.

Teach your child's teacher or caregiver what to look for as far as food and hidden food that your child may react to, teach them how to read labels before preparing food for your child. Let them know how serious food allergies can be.

Be prepared for a medical emergency. Make sure the school and caregiver have a copy of the child's food allergy, a list of medications and the contact information for the child's pediatrician and allergist (if there is one). Have your child's medication available. Make sure that the school has medication to give your child in case of an allergic reaction; the same goes for the caregiver.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are up to 6% of all children in the U.S. under age 3 have food allergies. Food allergies affect more than 11 million people in the U.S. alone. Your child is not alone.

Ask your child's doctor or allergist to help you keep your child safe. They may have ideas of how to work with the school, caregiver, or the parents of friends your child may play with in order to help other understand about food allergies and how to you're your child safe. Food allergies can be serious, even life-threatening. Take it seriously, so others will take it seriously too.

When kids are not diagnosed with food allergies parents, caregivers and school lunchroom personnel must be wary of the most common food allergens for children and be watchful when they are being served:

• Milk/dairy foods
• Eggs
• Peanuts
• Soy
• Wheat
• Tree Nuts (cashews and walnuts)
• Fish
• Shellfish such as shrimp

Usually children outgrow food allergies, but not always.