Food Allergies in Children
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What is an allergy? First, allergies occur when the immune system “makes a mistake.� In this context, we must take into account that the immune system protects us from viruses, germs, and diseases.
This biological process is the result of making antibodies that help us fight harmful organisms. However, in the case of food allergy, the immune system reacts to some component of a particular food, treating them as dangerous elements. This reaction is similar to other allergies that involve medication, pollen, and dust. Therefore, in allergies, the substance that triggers the reaction is not harmful in itself, but how the body reacts to it is.
Food Allergies This pathology usually begins in the child’s earliest years and decreases progressively between childhood and adulthood. Although the signs of food allergy are common in early childhood, only a small percentage is confirmed. Also, some children with food allergy develop natural tolerance; however, in other cases, the allergy persists even when they enter adulthood. Likewise, adults can also suffer new food allergies.
When a child is allergic to chocolate and eats it in any form, antibodies treat it as a dangerous element. This event leads their body to release chemicals in the bloodstream: one of those chemicals is histamine. These chemicals can cause symptoms that affect the eyes, nose, throat, respiratory system, skin, and digestive system. Allergic reactions can vary in severity, and they can appear several hours after eating the food.
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Diagnosis
On certain occasions, it is easy to know if a child is allergic to a particular food by seeing a rash or presenting other problems after eating that food. However, other times, it is complicated to determine the source.
Anaphylaxis
In the most severe cases, food allergies produce a phenomenon called anaphylaxis; this allergic reaction is dangerous and affects breathing, heart, blood vessels, and digestion. It can even swell the tongue. According to professionals on Pineville Pediatrics, in these cases, parents should have an emergency response plan with a specialized medication to prevent their symptoms from getting worse.
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