Food Allergy in Children
According to Scientists, food allergy, a common condition in kids, is constantly on the rise with doctors often giving wrong diagnosis of this characteristic condition. Allegedly, 4 in every 100 children up to the age of 18 have at least suffered from food allergy. Studies depict that, between the years 1997 and 2000, the percentage prevalence food allergy has since increased hitting a record above 15%. The situation is even worsened by the fact that only a percentage few of the affected reveal that they are suffering from food allergy (Adams, 2010).
With concerns raised about misdiagnosis of food allergy, researchers have since set out on a mission to unravel the most common types of foods that cause allergy. Eggs, soy, milk among other proteinaceous foods causes allergy in children. Dr. Garcia-Lloret of David Geffen School of Medicine asserts that food allergy mostly exhibits itself in skin symptoms (Adams, 2010). Other symptoms of food allergy may include; inflations of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, reddish flush, vomiting and diarrhea among other symptoms (Adams, 2010).
Adams (2010) in an article he titled ‘With children and food allergy diagnoses, thoroughness is key: No single test can accurately assess adverse food reactions in youngsters’ attests Skin-prick tests are the most common diagnostic tests centering on the immune reaction induced by certain food substances. Converse to many beliefs, some experts argue that is only a small part of the host reaction that trigger an allergic response; an argument the pours question on the effectiveness of the skin-prick tests. However, epinephrine injections stand out to be one of the outstanding remedies to food allergies. Further, it is worth noting that children can outgrow some significant causes of food allergy. Bread feeding for more than four months can also be useful in reducing the effect of this vice in young children (Adams, 2010).
Reference
Adams, J. U. (2010, December 27). With Children and Food Allergy Diagnoses, Thoroughness Is Key: No single test can accurately assess adverse food reactions in youngsters. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-closer-food-allergies-20101227,0,6697404.story
