Food Allergies: An Increasing Health Concern
Food allergies have become one of the significant health issues today, and their prevalence is steadily rising. Food allergies can manifest in various ways. Some infants may experience gas pains, abdominal bloating, mucus (slimy) or bloody stools, persistent and recurrent diaper rash or diarrhea, and vomiting, while others may present with skin rashes or allergic eczema (atopic dermatitis). In older children, hives (urticaria) and edema (swelling) are more commonly observed.
Prevention and Risk Factors
Normal vaginal delivery, breastfeeding, and ensuring a healthy and balanced diet can serve as protective factors against the likelihood of food allergies. However, diets high in additives can pose risks. Nowadays, the shift away from a healthy, natural lifestyle seems to correlate with an increase in food allergies.
Diagnosis and Testing
Food allergies can develop through various pathways. Therefore, not every diagnostic method is applicable to every patient. Allergy testing can be very valuable in some cases, while it may not assist in others. Only a physician can make this distinction. Thus, starting dietary restrictions based on family decisions can lead to unhealthy outcomes and negatively affect the health of both the infant and the mother.
Identifying Responsible Foods
Identifying and eliminating the responsible food from the diet is the most crucial step in treating food allergies. Properly adjusting diets and preventing unnecessary food restrictions are vital for healthy growth and development. It is also essential that breastfeeding mothers who remove dairy and dairy products from their diets receive calcium and vitamin D supplements.
Importance of Family History
In any food allergy case, obtaining a detailed family history is the most critical diagnostic step. Investigating the relationship between food and symptoms is invaluable. Food allergy tests can be performed on infants and children of all ages, either from blood or skin samples. Skin tests are painless, quick, and reliable, providing results within 15 minutes. The allergy specialist should evaluate which patient group requires testing. Merely removing the responsible food from the diet based on test results is insufficient; discussions should also take place regarding how to replace that food and how and when dietary modifications should be made.
Anaphylaxis Awareness
Anaphylaxis (Allergic Shock) is a life-threatening allergic condition in children, and food allergies are the most common cause. Recognizing this group of patients, assessing their risk, and prescribing an adrenaline auto-injector (a ready-to-use needle for families to administer in emergencies) is crucial for saving lives. It is also essential to consider school-aged children with ongoing food allergies. Especially in preschool settings, where children may have difficulty expressing themselves and protecting themselves, all staff members, from teachers to cafeteria personnel, should be knowledgeable about food allergies and trained to use adrenaline auto-injectors.
Psychological Impact
Food allergies should not only be viewed as a physical illness; they also impose psychological stress on both the child and the family. Ensuring safe socialization in environments rich in various foods, such as birthday parties and local food weeks, is vital. While younger age groups may experience such challenges, adolescents may face peer bullying or engage in risky behaviors, thinking, "I can eat it, and nothing will happen," which can lead to negative outcomes.
Important Considerations
It is important to note that for individuals with severe food allergies, any product that has come into contact with the allergen can also lead to serious consequences. For instance, if a child allergic to nuts is kissed by someone eating nuts, or if a person allergic to eggs buys bread from a bakery that makes egg bread, even trace amounts can be life-threatening, especially for those with a history of anaphylaxis or severe food allergies.
Conclusion
Early and accurate diagnosis of food allergies in children and swift planning of treatments are critical components of healthy growth and development. Therefore, it is crucial to be careful and informed in this matter.
