Childhood Food Allergies
Dr. Gerald Gleich, an allergist with the University of Utah, Department of Dermatology was recently interviewed on the "Good Things Utah" television program on ABC Channel 4.
The Symptoms and signs of an allergy
- Itching in the mouth, difficulty swallowing
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
- Hives or eczema
- Swelling
- Anaphylaxis, a sudden drop in blood pressure, and very serious
Do infants and children have problems with allergies? Essentially, anyone can develop an allergy at any time. Most food allergies begin in early childhood. Children can often outgrow their food allergies, but not always. Milk allergies typically begin during the neonatal period. Children who have other allergies are at a greater risk of developing a food allergy. Eczema is a warning sign for food allergies, and it can be worsened by certain foods. How common are food allergies? 6-7% of children have an allergy. In recent years, the diagnosis of allergies is up.
Common food allergies
- Nuts, especially peanuts
- Milk
- Eggs
- Shellfish
University of Utah researchers, led by Dr. Gleich, are currently studying people who are allergic to shrimp for the purpose of developing a vaccine.
How is an allergy diagnosed?
If a parent suspects their child has an allergy, they should take them to a pediatrician or allergist.The diagnosis is done in two ways:
- Skin test - most useful. A negative result is often as important as a positive result because it rules out certain food allergens. A negative result means the child can tolerate that particular food.
- Blood test - often conducted if a positive result is found on the skin test. A blood test helps gauge the severity of the allergy by measuring the quantity of allergy antibodies. Children with the highest levels of antibodies may not outgrow their sensitivity to a food.
- The most effective treatment is avoidance.
- For severe reactions, a syringe of epinephrine (Epipen), available by prescription from a doctor, should always be on hand. Keep one in your purse or at the child's school and know how to use it.
For more information about the diagnosis and treatment of allergies, contact University Health Care's Allergy Center a the Greenwood Health Center, 801-213-9400.
