Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/ask-dr.-sue-food-allergies-can-be-fatal/5011888/
Early childhood is the most common time of life for food allergy. Some children do not tolerate certain foods, but an allergic reaction is different, and it can be life threatening. Doctors can use medical tests to determine whether a reaction is food intolerance or food allergy. For example, red skin around the face after eating tomatoes, oranges, or strawberries is common. Usually this is irritation from the chemicals in the food, not an allergic reaction.An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system responds to a substance by releasing chemicals in the body that cause symptoms in the skin, intestine, respiratory or nervous system. It can occur immediately, within minutes, or be delayed for up to a few hours after the child eats the food. The allergic person may develop hives; or swelling of the mouth, hands, or feet; have trouble breathing; have an increased heart rate; or become unconscious. Physicians diagnose food allergy by looking for the specific chemical reaction that involves the immune system.
Since food allergy is so common, child care providers can expect to care for some children with this problem. Avoiding the offending food completely is essential and demanding. The situation affects other children, too, because they ...