Food allergies are a problem that can affect anyone, but they are most common in children. This is a condition where the immune system reacts to certain foods as if they were dangerous to the body. As a rule, food allergies appear in childhood, when the child begins to try new foods.
The causes of food allergies can vary. Perhaps the child encountered a certain product that caused an allergic reaction. Perhaps the reason is heredity, when allergies are passed from parents to children. Also, the risk of developing food allergies increases with digestive disorders, when food products are not completely broken down and enter the bloodstream in the form of large molecules, which can cause an allergic reaction.
Symptoms of food allergies can vary and depend on what product caused the allergy and how severe the body's reaction is. Most often, food allergies manifest as skin symptoms such as itching, redness of the skin, rash, and oozing scabs, but breathing problems, runny nose, cough, swelling of the throat and lips, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting may also occur. In rare cases, anaphylactic shock may occur and require immediate medical attention.
Various methods are used to diagnose food allergies, including challenge tests, blood antibody tests, and intradermal tests. It is also important to keep a food diary to identify which food causes an allergic reaction.
Treatment of food allergies consists of eliminating the causative allergen. If you notice that your child is reacting to a certain food, you should eliminate it from the diet. However, some types of food allergies may be difficult to identify, in which case you should consult an allergist. Treatment may include antihistamines, histaglobulin injections and other methods.
In general, the prognosis for timely diagnosis and treatment of food allergies is favorable. It is important to remember that food allergies are a serious condition that should be taken seriously. If your child has signs of a food allergy, do not delay visiting an allergist and follow his recommendations for diagnosis and treatment. It is also important to teach your child what to do if they have an allergic reaction to food, such as teaching them how to use an epinephrine auto-injector to prevent anaphylactic shock.
A food allergy is a reaction of the immune system to certain foods that are generally considered safe for humans. Occurs when ingested. Symptoms of food allergies can occur immediately after eating or after some time (from 2 hours to 7 days). In acute forms, dangerous for