| An increasing number of children suffer from | | | | until they are at least one year of age. Introduce |
| severe food allergy. Children don't just develop | | | | these foods one-by-one and observe your child's |
| food allergy when they begin to eat solid food: | | | | reaction after feeding. |
| some develop food allergy right from the start, | | | | If you suspect that your child is suffering from |
| when they're being breastfeed. | | | | food-allergy you should consult with your |
| If a mother is allergic to any food the chances | | | | pediatrician. Unfortunately many pediatricians are |
| are her child may also be allergic to those foods. | | | | reluctant to conclude that a child is allergic to food. |
| Many mothers don't realise that they are allergic | | | | Your may have to fight your corner. Also many |
| as they display little or no symptoms. However, | | | | are hesitant to tell a mother to drop things from |
| the allergic reaction can be much more | | | | her diet, because they're concerned about her |
| pronounced in their suckling child. What mother | | | | nutrition. Stand your ground and if your |
| eats; baby eats. | | | | pediatrician refuses to listen to your concerns, |
| There are eight types of food that account for all | | | | you can ask to be referred to an allergist. |
| but 10 percent of food-allergy; these are eggs, | | | | The following are common symptoms of food |
| wheat, dairy, soy and peanuts, tree nuts, fish and | | | | allergy or intolerance: |
| shellfish. | | | | Chronic eczema: Long periods of scaly and itchy |
| One in every 17 children under the age of 3 -- | | | | skin rashes. |
| that's 5.8 percent -- has a food allergy, according | | | | Hives: Often-itchy red welts on the surface of the |
| to The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network | | | | skin. |
| (FAAN), a nonprofit organization dedicated to | | | | Chronic unexplained digestive or respiratory |
| educating the public about food allergies. But | | | | problems. |
| identifying that your baby is suffering from | | | | Colic: chronic, unexplained, excessive crying. |
| food-allergy can be difficult as the symptoms | | | | Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can |
| displayed are attributable to other factors. | | | | be fatal. Call the emergency services immediately |
| A number of children eventually outgrow food | | | | if you see signs of anaphylaxis. Symptoms include: |
| allergies. Peanut allergies, however, tend to be | | | | Severe hives or hives in conjunction with another |
| lifelong. If you know that you suffered from food | | | | reaction, facial swelling, swelling of mouth and |
| allergy as a child you should avoid those foods | | | | throat (the constriction of the throat is especially |
| whilst you are breastfeeding. Even if you have | | | | dangerous because as the throat swells shut, the |
| never suffered from any food-allergy you can cut | | | | child will stop breathing -- child turns blue with lack |
| down the risks of your baby developing a | | | | of oxygen), vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, drop in |
| food-allergy by avoiding the eight main allergy | | | | blood pressure, fainting, death. |
| causing foods. Also, when you wean your child | | | | The following organizations provide help and |
| you should avoid feeding your child these foods | | | | support for food-allergy sufferers. |