Learn to recognize and diagnose food allergies in children with key signs and testing methods. Early identification helps manage allergies effectively, preventing severe reactions and improving quality of life for affected kids.

Identifying Food Allergies in Young Children

Many children experience immediate reactions after consuming certain foods, resulting in skin issues or other symptoms. Food allergies happen when their immune system produces antibodies that trigger negative responses. Around 8% of children under age three are affected by these allergies.

Common allergenic foods include:

Peanuts

Milk

Eggs

Tree nuts such as walnuts and almonds

Symptoms can be immediate, like vomiting or sneezing, or delayed, including diarrhea, mucus in stool, or colic. Persistent eczema may also signal milk allergy or lactose intolerance.

Typical allergy signs in infants:
Including:

Swelling of the eyes, lips, or face

Hives on the face, eyes, or body

Itchy mouth

Throat discomfort

Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

Runny nose, sneezing

Breathing issues or wheezing

Drop in blood pressure

Severe allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock

Rashes linked to food allergies in infants:
Rashes are common allergy indicators, appearing shortly after food intake. These may look like eczema patches caused by dairy or wheat, or hives—raised, itchy welts that are often red or white. They vary in size but can be quite uncomfortable. Facial and mouth rashes are also typical, usually itchy and scaly.

Methods for diagnosing food allergies:
Blood tests are often used to confirm allergies, especially with ongoing symptoms. Pediatric allergists might perform skin-prick tests by applying small amounts of allergens to the skin, causing swelling if sensitive. The RAST blood test detects specific IgE antibodies, assisting in diagnosis.

Managing food allergies in children:
The main treatment involves avoiding the allergenic food. Reintroduction may be considered later to see if allergies persist. Emergency medications like epinephrine auto-injectors may be necessary for severe reactions. For infants allergic to breast milk, modifying the mother's diet can help reduce symptoms.