The holidays are upon us which means parties and events packed with food, food, and more food! Did you know 1 in 13 school children have an allergy to at least one food? Risk of accidental exposure to allergens is especially heightened during the holiday season thanks to the amount of homemade foods that are present at holiday events. So how do you know if your child is having an allergic reaction?
There is sometimes confusion as to what symptoms are associated with an allergic reaction. Symptoms commonly accompanying food allergies are hives, nausea (with or without vomiting), congestion, cough, wheezing, or low blood pressure. Onset of symptoms is typically fairly quick, within a couple of minutes, but could take up to an hour or two after eating in some cases.
The 8 most common foods that make up 90% of food allergies for kids are milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish. Sometimes these allergies will resolve as a child matures, but not always.
Once someone has had an allergic reaction to a food, they will experience symptoms every time that food is ingested – no matter what form is it in. It is important to be aware of reactions as they occur, because anaphylactic shock becomes more likely after repeated exposure to allergens. The good news is that there are many ways to diagnose what foods your child is allergic to, so you don’t have to worry about an unexpected allergic reaction.
Keep an eye out this holiday season as your little one’s are exposed to homemade foods that could house ingredients they are allergic to. If you do feel like your child is having an allergic reaction, Your Kid’s Urgent Care staff is available every day until 11 pm to provide quality treatment.
If you have more questions about allergic reactions, call the Your Kid’s Urgent Care office that is closest to you!
