Food Allergies 101: Statistics & Tips for Your Child [Infographic]

Pediatric Food Allergy Tips

As your child heads back to school and is surrounded by other students and meals that aren’t prepared at home, it’s essential to keep an eye out for any food sensitivities they may have so you can get ahead of them and avoid an allergic reaction.

Here’s what you need to know:

Pediatric Food Allergy Statistics

Food allergies may be more common than you think, making it important to monitor your child’s symptoms and reactions to food triggers.

Learn the important statistics on pediatric food allergies below:

• According to Food Allergy Research & Education, 5.6 million children under age 18 have food allergies — that’s one in 13 children or roughly two in every classroom.
• Children with a food allergy are two to four times as likely to have other allergic conditions, such as asthma or eczema.
• Every three minutes, a food allergy reaction sends someone to the emergency room.
• According to the CDC, the prevalence of food allergy in children increased by 50 percent between 1997 and 2011.
• 90% of food allergies occur to the same eight foods: peanuts, eggs, cow's milk, tree nuts, soy, shellfish, fish, and wheat. Fish, shellfish, tree nuts, and peanuts are typically the most severe.
• About 40 percent of children with food allergies are allergic to more than one food item.
• Allergies to milk, egg, wheat, and soy often resolve in childhood.
• Allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish are generally lifelong.

Managing Your Child’s Food Allergies

Many patients experience allergic reactions that progress over time, which makes tracking your child’s symptoms while they eat essentially. Trouble breathing, widespread hives, and stomach pain are signs your little one should see their doctor for allergy testing.

If your child does have a food allergy, your allergist will prescribe an EpiPen for them to bring to school in the event of an emergency.

Sharing Meals at School

Even if your child has had a very minor reaction in the past, this is something to note to your child’s doctor and teachers. This way, if a student is bringing a dish to your child’s classroom, their parents will know to avoid ingredients that could trigger an allergy attack. Most teachers will ask parents to note exactly what's in the dishes they've prepared, so you know what's safe and what to avoid eating.

Allergy Treatment in Arlington

If your child is suffering from allergies, please come in and see us at Urgentology Care. Our compassionate and knowledgeable medical team will evaluate and treat your allergy symptoms right away. Please note, if they are experiencing any symptoms of anaphylaxis, call 911 immediately and administer their EpiPen straight away.

For more information about our allergy care services in Arlington, call us today at (817) 799-7273.