Children are sensitive to everything, even about food. A food allergy means that the immune system reacts abnormally to a food ingredient. Many things can cause food allergies in children, so parents need to differentiate between them.
What is a food allergy?
A food allergy occurs when your baby’s immune system reacts negatively to a protein in food (usually a non-harmful one) and starts making antibodies to fight it. Feeling uncomfortable after eating anything is an allergy. In children, these symptoms start appearing soon after eating the food and its effect can be different.
Most of the food allergies in children happen from cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, soy, nuts like cashews and walnuts, sesame, fish, etc.
The symptoms of food allergy
Due to food allergies, digestive problems start in children. Food allergies can also affect the skin, heart, and respiratory system. There are many symptoms of food allergy such as: • Vomiting • Abdominal pain • Shortness of breath • Frequent cough • Excess mucus in the nose • Swelling of the lips, tongue, and face • Dizziness • Discoloration of the skin.
What should the parents do?
Parents should keep an eye on food allergies in their babies. Feed your baby only one new food at a time. They may also contain potentially allergenic foods. It is advised to introduce a new food item to the baby every fourth or fifth day so that if the baby reacts, it can be known from which food it happened. Do not give cow’s milk as a main drink until the baby is one year old. Do not stop feeding your baby any food without consulting a doctor or dietician. It is a good idea to keep a proper diary of food and symptoms. It helps to know which food or ingredients are causing or aggravating the symptoms in the child.
Medical help
If you see any above symptoms in your baby, consult with a good paediatrician. If your child is diagnosed with a food allergy, follow the doctor’s advice and avoid allergies. Foods that are suspected will probably be forbidden to eat for two to six weeks. The doctor may do a skin prick test to know the kind of allergy. You are advised to see a children’s dietician, who will tell you how to cut different foods out of your child’s diet. Your dietician can give you a list of names that a baby should not eat. You can consult with the Best Nutritionist in India, Nutritionist SeemaSingh, she will review the child’s symptoms and prescribe a diet plan that is non-allergic for your child. She can suggest an alternative to allergic food.
