So, what exactly is a food allergy?
Foods causing allergic reactions are called allergens. A food allergy happens when certain allergens are eaten and initiate a bad, or adverse, reaction. When you see unusual symptoms after your child eats something, you may be seeing the effects of a food allergy.
A bad reaction to food may also be due to food intolerance, which is different from a food allergy and usually does not involve the immune system.
Understanding what happens in the body
In an allergic reaction, the body’s immune system sees a certain food as harmful and reacts by warning us with symptoms.
The differences between food allergies and food intolerances
Food allergies
Food allergy is defined as the immune system overreacting to certain foods. Generally, food allergies can be grouped into two categories:
- Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated
- Non–IgE-mediated
Most food allergies are IgE-mediated. An individual’s food allergy such as cow’s milk, for example, can be either IgE- or Non–IgE-mediated, or a mix of both, depending on how the immune or digestive system reacts.
IgE-triggered symptoms usually occur immediately but can sometimes be delayed for up to several hours after eating a potential food allergen. Food allergies may cause a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis.
Non–IgE-mediated are usually delayed reactions. Gastrointestinal symptoms are common and may include vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools, abdominal pain, or poor weight gain.
Food intolerance
Food intolerance does not affect the immune system, but it can often affect the digestive system when the body is unable to break down certain foods.
The inability to break down foods may be due to a lack of enzymes or sensitivity to food additives. Even with a food intolerance, your child may be able to eat small amounts of the food without problems.
Food intolerances are generally not life-threatening.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember is symptoms of Non–IgE-mediated food allergies take longer to develop after eating (hours to days) than symptoms of IgE-mediated food allergies (usually appearing within minutes).
Keep up with information on food allergies
Get tips and strategies on food allergies in children.
Keep up with information on food allergies
Get tips and strategies on food allergies in children.
Frequently asked questions about food allergies in children
Food allergy is often associated with some other allergic disorders, like asthma or atopic dermatitis. When these are seen as a child grows from infancy into later childhood, this is commonly referred to as atopic march.
Asthma: Children with multiple food allergies are more likely to develop asthma or allergic rhinitis. Studies show that having 3 or more food allergies increases the chance of developing one of these conditions by about 50%.
Atopic dermatitis: Studies show that children with atopic dermatitis (eczema) appear to have a particularly high risk of food allergy.
Research suggests food allergy reactions are more severe in children with multiple allergies or with other comorbid conditions.
Food allergies may be more serious if other respiratory conditions are also present, so it’s important to have a discussion with your child’s doctor or allergist.
When discussing food allergy comorbidities with your child’s doctor, it may be helpful to prepare a list of questions. Check out this guide for a few suggested questions.
While allergies tend to run in families, it is impossible to predict whether a child will inherit a parent’s food allergy or whether siblings will have a similar condition. Some research suggests that the younger siblings of a child with a peanut allergy will also be allergic to peanuts.
A study of identical twins found 65% of pairs shared their allergy to peanuts. Siblings of children with peanut allergy were around 7 times more likely to also be allergic to peanuts.
Milk, egg, wheat, and soy allergies are often outgrown. Most people do not outgrow peanut, tree nut, fish, and shellfish allergies.
While patterns differ between adults and children—and food allergy is considered a chronic condition with no cure—many children develop a tolerance and become less likely to have a severe reaction as they get older.
Keeping this in mind, it’s always a good idea to keep in contact with your doctor as your child reaches different developmental milestones and stay up to date with a diagnosis.
Did you know?
Usually, exposure to food allergens happens when you eat, but people can also be exposed through the skin or through airborne particles.
Stay informed on childhood food allergies
Get tips, strategies, tools, and inspiration, plus helpful information on food allergies in children.
Stay informed on childhood food allergies
Get tips, strategies, tools, and inspiration, plus helpful information on food allergies in children.