If your child is diagnosed with food allergies as an infant or young toddler (as many are), you'll be managing her diet, reading labels, and doing everything you can to prevent inadvertent reactions yourself. That will change as she gets older and learns to take more control of her health. Here are five things your child must know about food allergies to stay safe, happy, and healthy.
1. Which Foods She's Allergic To
This is something a child can begin to comprehend at a very young age. A two- or three-year-old who can say, "I'm allergic to milk" or "I'm allergic to peanuts," actually provides you a bit of insurance when you're not around him. Adults who are well-informed and hear a child mention a food allergy will then know to ask before offering the child food; they will also be alerted to keep obvious allergens out of easy reach in public places (the playground, for example). In older kids, this knowledge lays the groundwork for label reading.
2. Allergens Can Be Found in Unpredictable Foods
Milk, cheese, and yogurt aren't the only foods that contain milk, nor are tofu and soy sauce all you need to worry about with a soy allergy. Learning early that packaged foods can contain many allergens and that cross-contamination can make even otherwise safe foods allergenic leads to other principles of allergy safety. Depending on your child's age and lifestyle, appropriate rules might be never accepting food from anyone but certain designated adults, always asking a parent before eating any food outside your home, or learning to ask questions about labels and cross-contamination.
3. Potential Allergy Symptoms Need to Be Treated Quickly
Chances are that your child will have an inadvertent exposure to an allergen at some point. (Allergic reactions to food are responsible for about 30,000 emergency room visits per year, and many reactions are mild enough not to warrant ER care.) It's important that your child be aware of food allergy symptoms -- those he's already experienced, as well as other common allergy symptoms. Make sure young children know that they should tell a trusted adult immediately in the event of a potential reaction. If your child is old enough to recognize anaphylaxis and to follow directions, he should also learn how to use an EpiPen, if one has been prescribed for him.
4. Allergies Aren't His Fault, But Do Require Lifelong Care
Young children often subscribe to "magical thinking" and may think they caused illnesses or conditions by being "bad." Older children and adolescents may have forgotten how serious a reaction can be or may long to "cheat" on their diets to be part of a group. Be attuned to your child's feelings. Don't think you have to go it alone; child and adolescent counselors, especially those with a chronic illness focus, are an ideal resource. (Many companies offer some form of free counseling as a benefit; don't overlook this if it's available to you.) Support groups and forums can also give you the perspective of other parents who have been there with kids the same age and stage as your own. Visit our Food Allergies Forum right here on About.com.
5. Even With Food Allergies, He Can Do Virtually Everything Other Kids Can
Most kids want to be normal and fit in with peers. Stress the things she can do: play sports, go to parties, learn new things, go to the park, play a musical instrument. She can enjoy most of the things other kids are doing. True, depending on her allergies, she may have to avoid some social situations. But the more she perceives herself as someone with a full, busy life doing exactly the things she wants to do -- albeit with a condition she has to manage -- the healthier and happier she'll be.
Sources: FAAN. What You Should Know About Living with Food Allergy. Internet resource. Teufel, Martin, et al.. "Psychological Burden of Food Allergy." World Journal of Gastroenterology. Jul. 7, 2007. 13(25): 3456-65. 19 Mar. 2009.
