How to Raise Children With Common Food Allergies

Does your child have any common food allergies that need to be monitored? Raising a child with allergies can be very stressful for parents. Depending on the severity of the food allergies, ingesting the wrong types of foods could trigger an allergic reaction that is sometimes fatal.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• EpiPen

1. Identify the most common food allergies and work with an allergist to determine if your child is allergic to any foods. The most common food allergies include – milk, eggs, soy, peanuts, wheat, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish. If you believe your child may have a food allergy, it is imperative you contact your pediatrician and/or allergist to identify the allergen.

2. Educate yourself on how to read food labels to identify potential food allergens in the products you buy. Milk for example could have several different names including casein and whey. Fortunately, manufacturers are now required to specifically identify these allergens on the item.

3. Be aware that while some products may not contain a certain food allergen in the ingredients – that product may be processed in the same facility or use the same equipment as a product that does contain a food allergen. Depending on the severity of your child’s food allergies – you may need to still avoid purchasing these products. Children with severe peanut allergies for example should never ingest or touch any type of product that has been exposed to peanuts.

4. Do your homework before eating out at a restaurant. Go online and view the restaurants menu and ingredients prior to dining out. If you don’t find an online menu with food ingredients, then call ahead and ask to speak with the chef or cook. Having a plan ahead of time will help save time and frustration when dining out at a restaurant with a child who has common food allergies.

5. Carry an epinephrine or ‘EpiPen’ with you at all times if your allergist prescribes one to your child. If your child’s common food allergies are severe enough, your allergist will write a prescription for this medication to be used in emergencies. This EpiPen could save your child’s life – Always carry this with you!

6. Understand the severity of your child’s common food allergies. This will help you to know their limits and comes in handy when others are responsible for their well-being – including family, friends, teachers, etc. It is a parents responsibility to educate anyone who cares for their child to let them know about the common food allergies.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult with an allergist whenever your child shows any signs of an allergic reaction to a food item.
• Don’t hesitate to take your child to the emergency room if they show signs of a reaction to a common food allergy.
• Ignoring your child’s common food allergies could have severe consequences.

[thepassivedad]

on 2/2/2009 I carry and epi pen as I'm allergic to peanuts. Very important when going to a new restaurant for the first time. Great tips for everyone. 5 stars.