Childhood allergies, especially those related to food, are on the rise. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, one in every 17 children over three suffers from food allergies, with about 2.2 million American school-aged children affected with them.
Reasons for Increased Food Allergies in Children
Food allergies occur when the body’s immune system mistakes seemingly harmless substances (such as nuts, eggs and dust) as destructive to health. Although a child can inherit food allergies, environment also plays a role.
- Well-insulated American homes – While children a hundred years ago may have contracted more colds because of drafty homes, today’s well-insulated homes are playing a part in children acquiring food allergies.
- Household cleaning products – More American homes are filled with chemicals from cleaning products than they were years ago, adding to the problem.
- Antibiotic soaps – Over scrubbing can also cause problems with allergies. When parents scrub their young children too hard, washing their hands or bathing them, they run the risk of opening up skin, resulting in allergies.
Types of Food Allergies
Many foods cause allergic reactions, especially in children. However, the most common foods include nuts (especially peanuts), dairy, shellfish, soya, corn and wheat. What’s more, many people are allergic to Aspartame and other artificial sweeteners.
Symptoms of Food Allergies
Symptoms for food allergies can range from an upset stomach to rashes, headaches, runny noses, itching, coughing, and diarrhea, even to depression. In fact, some mental health experts believe that food allergies can cause some forms of mental illness. If your child exhibits any of these symptoms after eating a new food, schedule a doctor’s appointment for a physical examination, as well as an allergy test.
What Parents and Early Educators Can Do
- Delay exposure to questionable new foods. Because a child’s immune system is not fully developed, often introducing a new food results in an allergy. As a parent, don’t give a young child a new food until you’re sure it’s safe. If you work with small children, send out letters to parents on safe foods, discouraging them to bring in new foods that may be questionable, as well as be aware of the children in your class with allergies.
- Examine food your child brings home – This is especially important at Halloween or when your child attends parties. When the kids go trick or treating, stress to your children not to take any candy that can cause an allergic reaction. Of course, if your children are very young, go to the door with them. For older children, perhaps you can have your child give parents a note such as, “Please don’t give me peanuts because I’m allergic.”
- Examine household cleaners – Look for safer products with fewer chemicals to clean your home and car(s).
- Clean carpets regularly – It could be that floors are healthier than carpeting for your child as it’s difficult (and often impossible) to eradicate bad fumes and other bad smells from carpets. When building or buying an existing home, realize floors work better for kids with allergies. If you do have carpeting and upholstered furniture, be sure to have them cleaned regularly.
 |
