4 Common Food Allergies in Children

May 31, 2022

When your child is young, it can be alarming to know that they could develop allergies. There are allergy tests that can be a valuable resource, but it is also important to know what allergies are out there. Some allergies are far more common than others. This is a great place to start. Here, we are providing insight into five allergies commonly seen in children.   

Learning About Common Food Allergies In Children 

At Holly Springs Pediatrics, we know preventative measures pair best with understanding the problem. By learning about common allergies in children, you can look out for the symptoms and possible issues before they occur. If it is an emergency, do not hesitate to take your child to the hospital. 

Peanut Allergy 

Peanut allergies are the most common ones for children to develop. Not only is it common, but it is also often a severe reaction. If you or your child have ever exhibited even mild symptoms from eating peanuts, it is important to talk to the child’s doctor about it. The Mayo Clinic explains that a reaction can present itself minutes after exposure. 

The symptoms of  a peanut allergy are: 

• Skin reactions (redness, swelling, hives) 
• Itching or tingling near the mouth or in the throat
• Digestive problems
• Tightening of the throat
• Shortness of breath
• Runny nose 

It is important to be observant of your child if they start to exhibit any of these symptoms. They could progress to very dangerous in a short period of time. 

Fish & Shellfish Allergy

Another common allergy that children face is some form of fish or shellfish allergy. These two are often combined, but they are different forms of allergy. Someone with a shellfish allergy would be able to consume fish, and someone with a fish allergy would be able to consume shellfish. Shellfish are defined as crustaceans and mollusks. 

The symptoms of each of these are similar to that of peanut allergies. This is why it is important to pay attention to what your child is eating to be able to determine what caused the symptoms. 

Egg Allergy

Eggs are another food that can present allergies in children. Here, the symptoms can present themselves minutes or even hours after consumption. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, egg allergies rarely cause a deadly reaction of anaphylaxis.  

This is one allergy that is common in childhood, but it is also one of the most common allergies for children to grow out of. Children do not often maintain this allergy as they age. It is important to keep testing the child as they grow up, so you can have peace of mind about whether the allergy remains or not. 

Milk Allergy

It may seem less likely that a milk allergy presents itself in children. However, this type of allergy occurs when the child’s immune system recognizes the proteins in cow’s milk as a foreign invader. These symptoms appear almost immediately. This is one of the most common foods that cause anaphylaxis, making it a life-threatening allergy for young children. While it is one of the most dangerous food allergies in children, it is also another one that they commonly outgrow over time. As this is the case, it is important to stay on top of whether the allergy remains.  

Figuring out if your child is allergic to certain foods is intimidating. That is why it is important to understand the most common problems and be on the lookout for signs that your child is allergic to them. Often, these allergies do not last throughout the child’s entire life. Are you worried about your child’s possible allergy? Holly Springs Pediatrics is here to help you figure out if there is something to be concerned about. Check out our website or give us a call at (919) 249-4700 to schedule an appointment.