A food allergy is caused when your body mistakes a particular food as harmful. The body then releases histamines that cause an allergic reaction, presenting with one of the symptoms of allergic reaction. Food allergies in young children are more common than in adults and many children outgrow some of the food allergies.
The eight most common allergens, for children, represent 90% of all reactions in children:
Milk
Eggs
Peanuts
Soy
Wheat
Tree Nuts (nuts that grow on trees, such as Walnuts)
Fish
Shellfish
Although many children outgrow food allergies, those with allergies to Peanuts and Tree Nuts rarely do.
If your child has a known food allergy it will be imperative for you to read labels on food products to make sure your child does not ingest the offending foods. Caregivers and teachers, even their little friends, should know exactly what they can and cannot eat.
See additional post regarding Symptoms of Food Allergies.
