Allergies
What are some of the basic facts I need to know about food allergies?
by the Babble Staff
December 8, 2006
Allergies
THE BABBLE TAKE
Allergies are reactions in the immune system against certain foods or substances. There is no clear answer for why this is the case, but there is plenty of speculation. One theory is that excessively clean environments lead our immune systems to focus on foods rather than bacteria. Opinions diverge as to what, if anything, parents can do to prevent allergies. Most pediatricians agree not to introduce allergen foods like peanut butter too early. Breastfeeding is known to strengthen the immune system in babies and can help prevent allergies. Some specialists believe that if the mother avoids allergen foods while pregnant and breastfeeding, this may decrease the risk of the child developing allergies. However, there is contradictory research which suggests that small doses of allergens while breastfeeding may actually lessen the likelihood of allergies in children. Before fretting over whether or not you should have eaten peanuts when pregnant, it might be comforting to remember that true food allergies aren't particularly common, only around two percent of children have them. Dr. Sears calls food allergies "under-diagnosed by physicians and over-diagnosed by everyone else."
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Keep Kids Healthy
"True food allergies are not as common as most people believe and only affect about 2 percent of children, although they are more common in younger children (affecting about 5-8 percent of younger children). And fortunately, most younger children will outgrow these food allergies by the time they are three years old."
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About.com
"A food allergy, or hypersensitivity, is an abnormal response to a food triggered by the immune system. While many people often have gas, bloating or another unpleasant reaction to something they eat, this is not an allergic response. Such a reaction is thought to not involve the immune system and is called 'food intolerance.'"
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Kids Health
"Along with milk, eggs, wheat, soy, and shellfish, peanuts are among the most common foods that cause allergies. For some kids, food allergies can cause only minor discomfort, like a little tingling in the mouth. But for others they can be severe, causing difficulty breathing, for example."
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Baby and Kid Allergies
"Food can affect both children and adults alike in a surprising variety of ways. From rashes to dark circles under the eyes to stomach pain or nausea — even hyperactivity. Your body may be telling you that you are suffering from a food allergy or intolerance."
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Dr. Sears
"Food allergies have been called the great masqueraders because they are a hidden cause of so many problems, ranging from mere annoyances to downright disease. Food allergies tend to be underdiagnosed by physicians and overdiagnosed by everyone else. The truth about their prevalence is somewhere in between."
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