Food allergies can affect more than just food choices. A recent study by Dr. Scott Sicherer of the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine found that food allergy in children can greatly impact the entire family by increasing stress and limiting activities like going out to eat or spending time with friends. If you suspect your child has a food allergy, be sure to confirm this with an allergist certified by the American Board of Allergies and Immunology.
Food allergies occur when the immune system mistakenly believes the food is harmful.
To protect itself, the body creates antibodies to that food. The next time the allergic person consumes the food, the immune system releases large amounts of chemicals and histamines that trigger various symptoms. Read before you eat. Teach your child to read nutrition facts, labels, and ingredient lists on all food products every time you buy them since manufacturers add or change ingredients without warning. Learn technical and scientific names for foods, for example, cow's milk can be listed as caseine, caseinate, calcium caseinate, sodium caseinate, curds, or whey.