Can your child outgrow food allergies?
Food allergies are common — more than 20 million people have food allergies in the U.S.1 Although there isn’t a cure for food allergies, being a parent of a child with food allergies means you may need to play an active role in keeping your child safe and healthy. By communicating with their school, you can help create a supportive environment where everyone knows which food options are safe for your child. Learn more about common allergens, symptoms and how to manage food allergies in children.
What are the most common food allergies?
Most food allergies are diagnosed in young children, but they can start later in childhood and adulthood. The most common food allergies in children are to milk, eggs and peanuts.2 Other common food allergies in the U.S. include:1
- Tree nuts
- Soy
- Wheat
- Sesame
- Fish
- Shellfish
It is very important to get your child diagnosed if you think have a food allergy. Sometimes, what looks like a food allergy is actually something else, like a food intolerance. Missing a food allergy can be dangerous. Doctors can use skin tests and blood tests to help figure this out. They might also do a food challenge, which means your child eats the food in the doctor’s office while the provider watches, so they can give medicine in case there is a reaction.2
Can kids outgrow food allergies?
Most kids can outgrow allergies to milk, eggs, soy and wheat, but not all do. New research shows that about 1 in 4 kids may outgrow their peanut allergy.3
The best way to get help managing your child’s food allergies is to talk to their pediatrician. They may refer your child to an allergist. An allergist can diagnose your child’s food allergies and create a care plan to help prevent and treat reactions.
Sometimes, food allergies can cause a very serious reaction called anaphylaxis. Signs of anaphylaxis include:2
- Hoarse voice, tight throat or feeling like there is a lump in your throat
- Wheezing, tight chest or trouble breathing
- Tingling in your hands, feet, lips or scalp
- Hives or swelling
- Severe nausea and/or vomiting
- Dizziness and/or fainting
- Rapid heart rate
Anaphylaxis needs fast medical care. This means giving a drug called epinephrine right away and going to the hospital. If it is not treated quickly, anaphylaxis can be very dangerous and even cause death.4
If your child has a serious food allergy, their allergist may help you make an Anaphylaxis Action Plan. This may include always carrying epinephrine in case of a severe allergic reaction.2
What are common food allergy symptoms in kids?
Allergies to certain foods can look different than other types of reactions, such as seasonal allergies. Food allergy reactions usually happen soon after eating the food, often within minutes. Sometimes it can take a few hours. Common symptoms of food allergies include:2
- Red, itchy skin or hives (raised, red bumps)
- Stuffy or itchy nose, sneezing or watery eyes
- Throwing up, stomach pain or diarrhea
- Swelling of the lips, face or other body parts
What does a food allergy look like in an infant?
Infants and toddlers may show allergy symptoms differently than older kids and adults. They are more likely to have:5
- Itchy skin, rash or hives
- Throwing up
- Diarrhea
- Hoarse voice or cry
- Sudden change in behavior
They are less likely to have:5
- Fast breathing
- Trouble breathing
- Itchy throat
If a baby has any symptoms of anaphylaxis within minutes to hours of ingesting food, seek immediate medical treatment.6
How long does a food allergy reaction last?
Symptoms can show up in a few minutes, within 30 minutes after touching or eating something you are allergic to or up to 2 hours after.7
Anaphylaxis symptoms can happen by themselves or with other symptoms. After someone feels better, doctors may want them to stay in the hospital for 4–24 hours to watch for another reaction called biphasic anaphylaxis.7
Knowing the signs of food allergies and the dangers of anaphylaxis can help keep your child safe. If you think your child has a food allergy or notice any strange symptoms after eating, talk to your provider or allergist. They can figure out what is wrong and help you make a plan to keep your child healthy and safe.
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