You have just learned that your child has a food allergy. This means that your child's body has an allergic reaction to a food that most people can eat without problems.

Food allergies can be life-threatening. In children with food allergies, the immune system mistakes the food as harmful. Then it releases powerful chemicals into the bloodstream. This leads to symptoms that may be mild, such as itching, or more severe, such as breathing problems. Allergic reactions that are severe (anaphylaxis) can be fatal if not treated right away.

Many foods can cause an allergic reaction. Children are most often allergic to:

• Eggs.
• Milk.
• Peanuts.
• Soy.
• Wheat.
• Shellfish, such as shrimp, lobster, and crab.
• Tree nuts, such as almonds, cashews, and walnuts.
• Fish, such as tuna and salmon.
• Sesame.

Symptoms of a food allergy usually appear a few minutes to 1 to 2 hours after eating a problem food. They may include:

• Fainting or feeling dizzy.
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat.
• Hives and itching.
• Itching of the ear canal and mouth.
• Wheezing and trouble breathing and swallowing.
• Nasal congestion, sneezing, dry cough, or runny nose.
• Stomach pain or cramping.
• Diarrhea.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Odd taste in the mouth.
• Dry, itchy skin (eczema) that gets worse.

Anaphylaxis is the most severe type of allergic reaction. It can be fatal if not treated quickly. The reaction can happen within minutes to a few hours after exposure. Symptoms include:

• Dizziness or fainting (loss of consciousness).
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat.
• Wheezing and trouble breathing and swallowing.
• Nasal congestion.
• Pounding heart.
• Nausea, vomiting, or severe diarrhea.
• Feeling faint or confused.
• Feeling weak or very sick.

If your child's doctor has prescribed epinephrine, use it right away. Then call 911or emergency services. Always have your child carry 2 doses of this medicine. Make sure you and those close to your child know how to use it. If your child doesn't have epinephrine, talk with your child's doctor. Always have your child wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace.

These factors make food allergies more likely:

• Family history. Many children with food allergies come from families with a history of food allergies, hay fever, or asthma.
• Eczema. Many children who have food allergies also have eczema.
• Young age. Food allergies happen most often in children younger than 5 years old.

Your child's doctor will take a food history. They also may ask you to keep a food diary for your child. This can help find problem foods. Certain tests also can help tell which foods your child may be allergic to. These include:

• Skin prick test. A small drop of an allergen is placed on your child's skin. Then a small skin prick is made. It takes up to 15 minutes for the skin to react. The doctor looks at the reaction to see if your child is allergic to a certain food.
• Blood test (RAST). This test measures your child's immune system response to certain foods. Blood is drawn and sent to a lab for testing. This test may be done instead of skin testing for some children.
• Elimination diet. This involves removing certain foods from your child's diet. The foods are then slowly added back in. Your child's doctor can tell you more about this method of checking for food allergies.

There is no cure for food allergies. But many children do outgrow them. Treatment usually means staying away from the problem food or foods completely. Some children must also stay away from foods similar to the allergen. For instance, if your child is allergic to peanuts, your child may have to stay away from all tree nuts.

You also must be cautious about cross contact. This is when a food your child can safely eat comes in contact with a food to which your child is allergic. Cross contact can happen at home or in a restaurant. Or it can happen when food is processed or stored.

Your child's doctor or a dietitian can help you learn what foods to stay away from. They can teach you how to plan balanced, good-tasting meals that are safe. Children who don't outgrow their allergies should learn to read food labels. They should ask how food is prepared when they eat away from home. Food allergies may be managed by working with your child's doctor.

A medicine called omalizumab can help reduce a child's allergic reaction to a food. It may be helpful for several types of food allergies. It is a monoclonal antibody that is given as an injection. It is approved for children over 1 year old. Children who take this medicine should still stay away from the foods they are allergic to. Talk to your child's doctor to see if this medicine is a choice for your child.

These measures can help keep your child safe:

• Read labels on all foods carefully. Be sure to look for hidden allergens. And always ask at restaurants about what foods are in a dish. Do this even if these are foods that your child has eaten in the past.
• Tell key people about your child's food allergy. This includes adults who spend time with your child, such as childcare providers, teachers, relatives, and other parents. Let them know the warning signs of an allergic reaction and what to do if it happens. Teach them how to use epinephrine if it has been prescribed for your child. Always have your child carry 2 doses of epinephrine. Make sure you and those close to your child know how to use it.
• Make an action plan. Describe how to care for your child in case of an allergic reaction. Give a copy of the plan to family members and friends. Also give it to the school nurse, food service workers, and people who care for your child.
• Have your child wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace. This tells health care workers and others that your child has a food allergy. The bracelet can be bought at most drugstores and on the Internet.
• Carry a “chef card.” This card explains your child's allergy to restaurant workers. You can make your own card or print a copy from websites on the Internet.
• Have your child stay away from buffets. This can help prevent the risk of eating foods that come in contact with shared utensils.

A law called the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act requires labels on all packaged foods that must clearly state whether a product contains any of the 9 major food allergens. These are eggs, milk, peanuts, soy, wheat, shellfish, tree nuts, fish, and sesame.

Some foods have a statement listing allergens at the bottom of the label. For example, the label might say "contains: peanuts." Other foods don't have this label, but the food will be listed in plain language among the ingredients. Foods that aren't packaged, such as fresh fruits and vegetables and meats, won't be labeled. It's up to you to carefully read all food labels.

Many children outgrow their allergies. For others, allergies last throughout their life. Children are less likely to outgrow allergies to peanuts, shellfish, and tree nuts. Follow-up visits with your child's doctor or allergist can help you stay informed as your child gets older.

Not all reactions to food are allergies. Sometimes your child may have a food intolerance. Here are some important differences between the two:

• Usually causes symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, and gas
• Doesn't involve the immune system and often means your child can't digest certain foods correctly
• May not cause a reaction when the food is eaten in small amounts
• Is not a life-threatening emergency if the food is eaten

• May cause symptoms throughout the body
• Is an immune system response
• Can happen after the slightest exposure to a problem food
• Can be a life-threatening emergency if the food is eaten

Visit the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network website at www.foodallergy.org for more information.