Warning for food allergy in children

Exp. Dr. Zehra Can gave information about food allergies in children. Stating that anaphylaxis is the most important and most dangerous situation that can occur if food allergies are not noticed or treated well, Specialist Doctor Can said that anaphylaxis is a condition that occurs within minutes or even seconds after suspicious food intake and progresses with a picture of shortness of breath, low blood pressure and shock. conveyed.

“The child cannot gain weight due to these reasons, growth and developmental retardation occurs”

Underlining that food allergy in children is a subject that needs attention, Uzm. Dr. Can said, “Food allergies are mostly a problem of childhood. It can be seen at any age from the newborn period. Some food allergies present before the age of one year, while others may appear later in childhood. Nutrition is the most basic need for a child’s healthy growth and development. Growth and development may be adversely affected in children with food allergies, as healthy nutrition will be impaired. It can cause food allergy, food refusal, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation.For these reasons, he cannot gain weight, growth and development retardation occurs.

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“It is possible to treat these clinical pictures by making the correct diagnosis and removing the suspicious food from the diet”

Emphasizing that some food allergies are manifested by skin findings, Uzm. Dr. Can said:

“Atopic dermatitis, known as eczema, is characterized by dryness, redness, itching and sores on the skin. These skin findings are sometimes so disturbing that they negatively affect the child’s daily activities, school life, social life, and reduce the child’s quality of life. In addition, it becomes easier for microorganisms to enter and cause infection from itchy and open wounds opened due to the deterioration of skin integrity. The most important and most dangerous picture that can occur when food allergies are not noticed or treated well is anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis; It is a life-threatening condition that presents with gastrointestinal and skin symptoms that occur within minutes or even seconds after suspicious food intake, as well as inability to breathe, low blood pressure, and shock. Detection of food allergy,

“It can cause swelling on the lips and eyelids”

Providing information about the symptoms of food allergies, Dr. Dr. Can, “Itching, burning, redness on the skin of children; It can cause swelling in the cheeks in infants, in the folds of older children, in the inner parts of the arms, elbows, posterior knees, itchy sores on the wrists, namely eczema, urticaria, hives, lips and eyelids. in the eyes; Watering, itching, redness and swelling of the eyelids may occur due to food allergies. In the respiratory tract; runny nose, stuffy nose, itchy nose, sneezing, sore throat, itching and dryness of the throat; itching on the palate, post-nasal drip, dry cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, wheezing, chest tightness may occur. In the digestive system; Nausea, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain, cramps, bloody or mucous stools, feeding refusal may occur. In the circulatory system; palpitations, irregular heart rate,“Allergies to meat and nuts may occur later in childhood”

Making evaluations about which foods can cause allergies in children, Dr. Dr. Can said, “The most common food allergies in children are cow’s milk, eggs, fish, peanuts, nuts, shellfish, soy, wheat, pulses, sesame, meat, egg white, cow’s milk, soy, wheat, lentil allergies. It usually presents before the age of one. Allergies to meat and nuts may appear later in childhood. In addition, it should not be forgotten that allergies can develop due to any food consumed.

“Unnecessary food restriction should not be done without careful follow-up and a definitive diagnosis of food allergy”

Pointing out that in order to diagnose a food allergy, symptoms must appear after each encounter with a suspicious food, Can said, “Unnecessary food restrictions should not be made without a very careful follow-up and a definitive diagnosis of food allergy. Unnecessary food restriction can negatively affect the growth and development of children. For this reason, doctor and family cooperation is very important. It is very important to know the amount and content of the food consumed, the time of appearance and disappearance of the symptoms, whether there were similar findings before and how they improved, and the details of the symptoms. Keeping a food diary about the foods consumed is also very helpful.

“Especially cow’s milk, egg, soy, wheat allergies usually resolve by 2-3 years of age, sometimes up to five years old”

Underlining that most of the food allergies in children are partially or completely resolved over time, Can said:

“Especially cow’s milk, egg, soy, wheat allergies usually resolve by 2-3 years of age, sometimes up to five years of age. But nut, fish, and shellfish allergies may not improve at all. Some allergies may also disappear in adolescence. Since a reaction may develop even with a very small amount of food consumption, the suspect food should be completely removed from the diet. If the food removed from the diet is a very important food, the diet should be arranged accordingly. Mild reactions are treated with oral antihistamines and sometimes steroids. Sometimes children with severe food allergies can develop anaphylaxis. An adrenaline auto-injector should be given to patients with a history of anaphylaxis and high-risk food allergies, and the family should be taught how to use it. Anaphylaxis is a sudden onset emergency. For this reason, patients and parents should definitely carry the adrenaline auto-injector with them. Nursing mothers should also not consume foods containing the food that causes allergies in the baby. However, especially in cow’s milk protein allergy, when milk and dairy products are discontinued, calcium supplementation should be done to prevent the mother from being without calcium. In infants with cow’s milk allergy, breast milk alone is sufficient for the first six months of life, and milk and dairy products are eliminated from the mother. If breast milk is not enough, formulas that do not contain cow’s milk allergens should be used. A child with a food allergy should not share their friends’ food at school.” However, especially in cow’s milk protein allergy, when milk and dairy products are discontinued, calcium supplementation should be done to prevent the mother from being without calcium. In infants with cow’s milk allergy, breast milk alone is sufficient for the first six months of life, and milk and dairy products are eliminated from the mother. If breast milk is not enough, formulas that do not contain cow’s milk allergens should be used. A child with a food allergy should not share their friends’ food at school.” However, especially in cow’s milk protein allergy, when milk and dairy products are discontinued, calcium supplementation should be done to prevent the mother from being without calcium. In infants with cow’s milk allergy, breast milk alone is sufficient for the first six months of life, and milk and dairy products are eliminated from the mother. If breast milk is not enough, formulas that do not contain cow’s milk allergens should be used. A child with a food allergy should not share their friends’ food at school.”