Food intolerance does not affect the immune system, although some symptoms may be the same as in food allergy. Peanuts, nuts, fish, and shellfish commonly cause the most severe reactions. Nearly 5 percent of children have food allergies. Allergic symptoms may begin within minutes to an hour after ingesting the food. At this time, no medication is available to prevent food allergy.
Treatment involves avoiding the food that causes the symptoms.
People with food allergy must be prepared to treat any accidental ingestion of the foods that cause the allergic reaction. Talk with your child's physician about what to do in these cases. There are medications available to treat some symptoms of food allergy after the food has been eaten. These medications may relieve rhinitis symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, or asthma symptoms. Talk with your child's physician about these medications.