Food Allergies & Intolerances in Children

Food allergy vs. Food intolerance 

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A food allergy happens when the body's immune system, which normally fights infections, sees the food as an invader. This leads to an allergic reaction. 

An allergic reaction is an immune system response in which chemicals like histamine are released in the body. An allergic reaction can be mild or severe. A person can have a severe reaction to a food even if their previous reactions were mild. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include:

• wheezing

• coughing

• trouble breathing

• hives

• hoarseness

• throat tightness

• vomiting and /or diarrhoea 

• abdo pain

• itchy, watery, or swollen eyes

• red spots

• swelling

• a drop in blood pressure, causing lightheadedness or loss of consciousness (passing out)

Approximately 90 percent of all food allergies are caused by the following eight foods:

• Milk

• Eggs

• Wheat

• Soy

• Tree nuts

• Peanuts

• Fish

• Shellfish

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Food intolerance:

• doesn't involve the immune system

• can happen because a person can't digest a substance, such as lactose

• can be unpleasant but is rarely dangerous

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The symptoms of food intolerance can include ;

• burping

• indigestion

• gas

• loose stools

• headaches

• nervousness

•  feeling of being "flushed."

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Diagnosis of a food allergy 

If your child might have a food allergy, the we will ask about:

• your child's symptoms

• the time it takes between eating a particular food and the start of symptoms

• whether any family members have allergies or conditions like eczema and asthma

 

If we suspect you have a delayed allergy , skin prick tests will show a false negative, however if you have an immediate allergy, we will request a skin prick test and /or blood test to be done by your GP.

• Skin prick test. This test involves placing liquid extracts of food allergens on your child's forearm or back, pricking the skin, and waiting to see if reddish raised spots (called wheals) form. A positive test to a food shows that your child might be sensitive to that food.

• Blood tests to check the blood for IgE antibodies to specific foods