Food allergy is common in infants and young children, and it’s one of the things parents ask us about most.
A child won’t necessarily react the first time they eat something, and allergies can appear later in childhood. That’s why an unexplained reaction is worth investigating at any age rather than waiting to see whether it happens again.
Signs of a reaction
Reactions range from mild to life-threatening. Milder ones might be an itchy mouth or throat. More significant reactions can include:
- Swelling of the lips, tongue or throat
- Hives
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, or a weak pulse
Most reactions begin within about two hours of eating. Some are delayed by four to six hours, which can make the cause harder to identify — noting what was eaten and when genuinely helps.
The common triggers
Any food can cause an allergy, but nine account for most of them: peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, milk, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, and sesame.
Getting a diagnosis
If you think your child has reacted to a food, tell us what happened and how quickly. That history shapes everything that follows. Depending on the picture we may arrange testing or refer to an allergist, and we’ll help you put a plan in place — what to avoid, what to carry, and what school needs to know.