Food Allergens

Does your child show various symptoms after eating a particular food? If so, he/she has most likely developed a food allergy. This is an allergic reaction that occurs when  our body’s immune system detects a food substance as foreign invader and produces chemicals to fight it.  Educate yourselves on these allergens and keep your  children safe and healthy. 

Common Food Allergens

Egg Allergy

Eggs aren’t bad for health but some children develop allergies to them, their immune system overreacts to the egg protein (egg whites or yolk). The Immunoglobulin E, a specific antibody, triggers the release of certain chemicals including histamine whenever it detects egg proteins in the body. The reaction occurs within minutes to hours and lasts for about a day involving the following systems of the body:

1. Skin: swelling and redness around mouth, eczema, bumpy rashes (hives).

2. Gastrointestinal tract: vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea and belly cramps.

3. Respiratory tract: itchy watery eyes, runny nose, asthmatic patients get triggered by sneezing, wheezing and coughing.

4. In severe condition: Some children suffer from anaphylaxis; a body condition in which swelling of mouth, throat and airways leading to lungs occurs due to which the kid develops breathing difficulties. In addition to this, a drop in blood pressure may also be detected which may make the child dizzy and in worse cases can lead to shock.

Treatment:

The best way to keep your child safe from developing egg allergy is to not let him have this nutrient but since it is an important ingredient, it gets hard to keep a strict check all the time. In these cases, keep epinephrine shots with you. They come in easy to carry containers and your doctor can guide you upon how to administer them in case of emergency. In addition to this, you can also keep antihistamine as it is good  defense against allergies. Do remember, that histamine is to be given in addition to epinephrine and not as a replacement. Avoid nasal mists as they aren’t that safe in this case.

Ingredients To Avoid:

Albumin, globulin, livetin, lysozyme, ovalbumin, ovoglobulin, ovomucin, ovomucoid, ovotransferrin, ovovitella, ovovitellin, silici albuminate, Simplesse, vitellin

Fish Allergy

Fish allergy is not similar to seafood allergy as it is a term comprising of so many other sea creatures. Kids having this sensitivity might be allergic to some type of fish and not others. Usually, allergic reactions happen when someone eats fish but even touching it as well as inhaling the vapours from cooking fish can cause same symptoms. The immune system of an allergic person responds to the proteins in fish by producing chemicals in body including histamine which results in following symptoms:

1. Skin: red spots, swelling, hives,

2. Gastrointestinal tract: stomach ache, vomiting, diarrhoea

3. Respiratory tract: wheezing, trouble breathing, coughing, hoarseness, throat tightness, itchy watery eyes

4. In severe case: drop in blood pressure, unconsciousness, and anaphylaxis

Foods To Avoid

Avoid all sorts of fish until or unless it has been clearly identified that to what specie your child is allergic. Some dressings and salads might contain fish so make sure you know the ingredients before purchasing anything for your child.

Shellfish Allergy

Although shellfish comes under seafood but its allergy is different from other seafood. Shellfish is a part of two different groups:

1. Crustaceans (comprising of shrimp, crab, lobster)

2. Molluscs ( clams, octopus, squid, scallops, mussels, oysters)  

Your child might be allergic to either groups or any one ingredient. The allergic reaction occurs on eating, touching or breathing the vapours of shelfish being cooked etc The body’s immune system responds by producing chemicals such as histamines which shows following symptoms:

1. Skin: red spots, swelling, hives,

2. Gastrointestinal tract: stomach ache, vomiting, diarrhoea

3. Respiratory tract: wheezing, trouble breathing, coughing, hoarseness, throat tightness, itchy watery eyes

4. In severe case: drop in blood pressure, unconsciousness, and anaphylaxis

Treatment

The best treatment is to avoid shellfish as well as dishes that contain this ingredient. For emergency cases inject-able epinephrine should always be  on your person. Furthermore, to lower down the intensity of symptoms, inject antihistamine after giving epinephrine shot. The method of administering both will be guided by your doctor in detail.

Foods To Avoid

Avoid all the above mentioned until you  confirm  the group you are specifically allergic to. Moreover, read  the labels on processed foods to check if any of it contains shellfish as well as salad dressings.

Peanut Or Tree Nut Allergy

Peanuts are the commonest food allergens affecting more than 1% of children around the globe. The protein content of the peanut and tree nuts are similar so the probability of a person being allergic to both is usually high. Just like other allergic reactions, immunoglobulin E is produced by the body which further releases histamine and other chemicals causing the allergic symptom. How a person responds varies. One or all the systems might be affected depending upon the severity of  the reaction.

1. Skin: hives, swelling and redness around face and mouth, eczema. A rash may appear if skin comes in contact with the nut, without even eating it.

2. Gastrointestinal system: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, belly cramps

3. Respiratory system: itchy watery eyes, runny or stuffy nose. Asthmatic patients get triggered by sneezing as well as cough and wheezing.

4. Cardiovascular system: the person may experience light-headedness, might lose conscious and faint.

5. In severe cases: anaphylaxis

Swallowing even small amount of peanut or any tree nut can result in allergic reactions. However, there are some rare cases too: breathing the nuts seldom causes any allergic reaction because the body responds to the protein content in it which is not a part of a nut’s smell. Moreover, some foods containing nuts atypically cause reaction as they don’t allow sufficient peanut protein to escape in air. On the other hand, cases in which breathing peanuts cause a reaction is when the person is in enclosed area such as a cafe where a lot of peanuts are being cracked allowing the protein to make its way into the digestive system. Some kids may be allergic to other legumes such as chickpea, lentil, lupin, and pea but that is quite a rare case.

Treatments

Keep epinephrine in your bag as it may help ease the anaphylaxis episode. 

Foods To Avoid

Cookies, baked goods, candy, ice cream, sauces, Asian (Thai, Chinese and Indian specially) and African cuisines, artificial flavours, nougat, pesto. Tree nuts:  Almond, beechnut, Brazil nut, bush nut, butternut, cashew, chestnut, coconut, filbert, ginko nut, hazelnut, hickory nut, lichee nut, macadamia nut, nangai nut, pecan, pine nut, pistachio, shea nut, walnut, coconut.

Soy Allergy

Soy is derived from soya beans which are a part of the  legume family. Your child might be allergic to all legumes but that’s a rare condition. Soy allergy is the common legume allergy and about 0.4% children are affected by it.  The Body responds in similar manner as it does when other allergens  detected in the system, that is, by producing chemicals including histamine. The good news is that most soy reactions are mild and involve only one system of the body (usually skin). However, in more severe cases the followings is likely

1. Skin: red spots, swelling, hives,

2. Gastrointestinal tract: stomach ache, vomiting, diarrhoea

3. Respiratory tract: wheezing, trouble breathing, coughing, hoarseness, throat tightness, itchy watery eyes

4. In severe case: drop in blood pressure, unconsciousness, and anaphylaxis

Treatment

Administer epinephrine shot in case of emergency and also carry along antihistamine (that is to be given after epinephrine) to treat mild symptoms.

Foods To Avoid

Don’t give your child food containing following ingredients: Edamame, miso, natto, shoyu, soya, soybean, soy protein, soy sauce, tamari, tempeh, textured vegetable protein (TVP), tofu.

Wheat Allergy

In wheat allergy the body’s immune system overreacts to the wheat proteins and triggers production of various chemicals such as histamine. A child with wheat allergy experiences following symptoms. How many systems  of the body are involved in an allergic reaction depends upon the severity of reaction.

1. Skin: red spots, swelling, hives,

2. Gastrointestinal tract: stomach ache, vomiting, diarrhoea

3. Respiratory tract: wheezing, trouble breathing, coughing, hoarseness, throat tightness, itchy watery eyes

4. In severe case: drop in blood pressure, unconsciousness, and anaphylaxis (less common)

Is Celiac Disease And Wheat Allergy Same?

No, these two are totally different things. Celiac disease develops because of gluten which is a wheat protein. A child suffering from celiac disease does not show any allergic reaction. The problem arises with the absorption of food in intestines. Kids with celiac disease are confused with those with wheat allergy due to similar gastrointestinal symptoms: severe diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and poor weight gain. However, unlike children with wheat allergy, kids with celiac disease cannot eat any grains having gluten as a constituent.

Treatment

For wheat allergy, avoid any foods that contain wheat  You can control the symptoms with the use of antihistamines and corticosteroids. In case of emergency to reverse anaphylactic symptoms, epinephrine is to be administered right away. The best and only treatment for celiac disease is gluten free diet.

Foods To Avoid

children with wheat allergy should not be given wheat but can substitute with other grains. If you’re diagnosed with celiac disease you need to be on a strict gluten free diet therefore avoid all these: Wheat, barelt, rye, malt (malted milk and milkshakes etc), brewer’s yeast, wheat starch, triticale, wheat berries, durum, emmer, spelt, farina, faro, graham, einkorn wheat, semolina. Foods which contain gluten: pastas, noodles, breads, pastries, crackers, baked goods, granola, breakfast foods (pancakes, waffles etc), croutons, breading and coating mix, sauces and gravies.

Milk Allergy

Milk allergy develops in infants affecting approximately 2% to 3% of babies. About 90% of babies outgrow it by the age of three while others don’t. The baby’s immune system responds to proteins in cow’s milk (the base of commercial baby formulas) by releasing histamine and other chemicals. Babies who are breastfed are at a lower risk of acquiring milk allergy as compared to those who are formula fed. Breastfed babies show symptoms if the mother is taking dairy products. Children show following symptoms shortly after taking milk:

1. Skin: red spots, swelling, hives,

2. Gastrointestinal tract: stomach ache, vomiting, diarrhoea

3. Respiratory tract: wheezing, trouble breathing, coughing, hoarseness, throat tightness, itchy watery eyes

4. In severe case: drop in blood pressure, unconsciousness, and anaphylaxis

Some children with milk allergy do not show symptoms soon after consuming it, rather  the  following symptoms  will appear within hours or days:

1. Vomiting or gagging

2. Loose stools, probably containing blood

3. Irritability

4. Refusing to eat

5. Skin rashes such as those in eczema

Some parents confuse lactose tolerance with milk allergy. They are two different things and lactose intolerance is the inability to digest milk whereas nothing similar happens in  this allergy.

Treatment

If you are breastfeeding your child who is  allergic to milk avoid taking dairy products for that time period as the proteins in them can cross into breast milk; hence, entering into baby’s digestive system. In case, you are giving your baby formula fed diet, then opt for extensively hydrolyzed formula as proteins in it are broken down into minute particles which are incapable of triggering the immune system. For babies who show symptoms right after taking milk should be given epinephrine (so you must keep epinephrine auto-injectors with you).  

Foods To Avoid

Avoid all types of milk, yogurt, malts, eggnog, wheat, white or rye breads, commercially prepared bread rolls, and baked goods, high protein cereals, custard and other creamy products, all cheese, some type of sausages, butter, casein, lactose, lactalbumin, and lacto globulin.  An older child can be given rice milk, almond milk or coconut milk but not to an infant.

Uncommon Food Allergens

Spice/ Herb Allergy

Spices are derived from different parts of the plant and are utilized for seasoning as well as flavouring. Spice allergy is very rare in children (saffron allergy is only found in adults). The allergy develops by eating, inhaling or skin contact with spices.

The symptoms include:

1. Watery eyes

2. Runny nose

3. Skin rashes

4. Breathing difficulty

5. Vomiting

6. Nausea

7. diarrhoea

8. Asthma

9. Dermatitis

10. Anaphylaxis (only in severe cases which is very rare)

Kids who are sensitive to pollen (birch pollen, mugwort pollen, grass pollen, timothy grass) are at a higher risk of developing this allergy.

Treatment

Spices can be avoided to prevent  the allergic reaction but that can be quite difficult and tricky  as some are essential ingredients. You can keep antihistamines and epinephrine with you to be used in case of emergency. For skin allergies caused by spices use topical corticosteroids or possibly systemic corticosteroids. Note: cooking spices can reduce allergy causing agents in them or can also enhance their affect depending upon the type of spice.

Foods To Avoid

Black pepper, oregano, thyme, cinnamon, aniseed, camomile, mustard, garlic, celery, poppy seed, sesame seed, coriander, caraway, fennel.

Fruit And Vegetable Allergy

Research shows that fruits and vegetables are replacing peanuts as the major food source of allergies, in children (5 times more common) but luckily the symptoms are  milder. This allergic reaction usually occurs when fresh produces is consumed. However, the exact cause is yet to be discovered.

Symptoms are limited to the mouth and throat only these includes:

1. Itching of lips, mouth and throat

2. Swelling of lips, tongue, throat and palate

3. It does not cause anaphylaxis but your child may experience tingling, burning and uncomfortable feeling in mouth, throat and lips. This condition is termed Oral allergy syndrome (OAS).

4. Metallic taste

5. Hives, wheezing, swelling – specifically for banana allergy

Kids who are sensitive to pollen (birch pollen, mugwort pollen, grass pollen, timothy grass) are at a higher risk of developing this allergy.

Treatment

The symptoms develop  quickly but dissipate after about 15 minutes. This time period is enough to make your child distressed. if you child complains of any such symptoms after eating raw fruits and vegetables, you must take it seriously and eliminate those foods from their diet. Frozen fruits and vegetables in the form of  puree or  smoothies are safe as many kids are tolerant to them. Equally your child may also be tolerant to cooked fruits and vegetables as cooking destroys pollen related allergy.

Fruits And Vegetables That Cause Allergy

Kiwi (most common), banana (increasing), peaches, acerola, apple, apricot, avocado, cherry, date, fig, garden plum, grape, lychee, mango, melon, pear, tomato, pineapple, strawberry. Garlic, lettuce, celery (relatively common), potato, zucchini, cabbage, pumpkin, turnip, bell pepper.

Meat Allergy

This type of food allergy is quite rare and somewhat difficult to identify. Your child might be sensitive to beef, chicken, mutton or pork and this is attributed to alpha galactose sugar found in the meat. The child having this type of allergy experiences tick bites. Other meat allergens include goat, whale, seal, turkey, and duck. Your child might be allergic to one type of meat and not another. Children who are allergic to beef (specifically) are also found to be allergic to milk. Studies have shown that about 8% of 62 children suffering from milk allergy have reacted to beef as well.

Symptoms:

1. Hives

2. Nausea

3. Indigestion

4. Stomach cramps

5. Vomiting

6. Diarrhoea

7. Stuffy runny nose

8. Asthma

9. Headaches

10. Anaphylaxis

Treatment

Keep antihistamines as well as corticosteroids with you at all times to calm down the symptoms (reactions). For emergency cases you must have epinephrine

Sulphites Senstivity

Sulphites are added in food substances to persevere them. The abnormal body reaction towards sulphites is not  a true allergy since it does not contain any protein, but is known as  a sensitivity. A child who is sensitive to sulphites shows the following symptoms:

1. Skin: rashes, swelling, itchy skin, hives

2. Gastrointestinal tract: nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain

3. Respiratory tract: wheezing, breathing difficulty, chest tightness, worsened asthma, cough

4. Central nervous system: seizures, dizziness, anxiety

5. In severe case: the sensitivity may turn out to be life threatening and can cause anaphylactic shock (low blood pressure, breathing difficulty, unconsciousness)

Treatment

The sulphite sensitivity  is not curable to date, the best approach is to avoid the allergen itself. If your child is asthmatic, then carry along an asthma puff with you. In severe cases, adrenaline auto injector is prescribed. Your doctor will guide you  on how to use it.

Foods To Avoid

Baked good, bottles lemon or lime juices, cereals, condiments, dressings, dried spices, fish, canned frozen vegetables and fruits, prepared drinks, processed foods, soup mixes, vinegar, sugar syrups, snacks, dried fruits.

Seed Allergy

Allergic reactions to seeds are severe but are rare affecting less than 0.1% of children. The allergens include sunflower, sesame, poppy, cocoa, cotton, and pecan.

The symptoms of this allergy include:

1. Breathing difficulty

2. Swelling in face, throat and mouth

3. Severe asthma

4. Itching of mouth and tongue

5. Oral allergy syndrome

6. Anaphylaxis (for sesame seed allergy)

Treatment

The best treatment is to avoid these allergens. For emergency cases, you can administer epinephrine to your child to reverse anaphylactic shock.

Foods To Avoid

Bakery and bread products. Although seed oils are highly refined and do not cause allergic reactions with that being said not all fall under this category  therefore one must be careful.  

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is  a  serious medical condition which occurs seconds or minutes later after exposure to an allergic substance. Unfortunately, your child may develop this condition if he is allergic to any specific  food substance.  In anaphylaxis skin, digestive, respiratory and cardiovascular systems of the body are involved and the common signs are as follows:

1. Difficulty breathing

2. Chest tightness

3. Hoarseness

4. Wheezing

5. Coughing

6. Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain

7. Rapid pulse

8. Skin irritability and rash

For the safety of your child, keep auto-inject able epinephrine shots with you  incase of emergency you can administer it to your child and call 911 for help.   Make sure your child is kept under observation for at least 4 hours as another episode might occur.

Treatment

The best treatment and defense is to avoid these allergens. For emergencies, you can administer epinephrine to your child to reverse anaphylactic shock.