Posts Tagged ‘physical examination’

How likely is it to overcome food allergies in children? A good question, as at least 50% of children who are allergic to cow's milk, egg, soy and wheat will outgrow their allergy by age 6. However, kids with a walnut, cashew, almond, pistachio or peanut allergy have a 20% chance of recovery. As a parent, you're likely wondering what you can do to help your child. In this article, you will learn about some of the most popular tests and treatments for kids with food allergies.

Currently, there are two preliminary tests for food allergies in kids. After going over the child's and family's medical history, a basic physical examination and asking questions about the child's diet, pediatricians generally recommend a blood test. Even though this is not 100% predictive, many allergies can be ruled out this way. During this test, a small amount of blood will be drawn and observed for the presence of IgE antibody, which will reveal an immune system response to a particular food protein. For people with extreme shellfish or peanut allergies, this test is preferred because the patient does not have to be exposed to the potential allergens. During the 30-minute prick skin test, a tiny amount of solution containing a suspected allergen is placed on the skin, which is then pricked to let the solution get below the surface. If there is an allergic reaction, such as itchiness or a bump, then it's likely there is a food allergy.

Food Challenge tests are an accurate and widely accepted way of testing for food allergies in children. The only way to truly know if a child is allergic to a particular food is to have him or her ingest it. Since there are dangers involved with this method, children should only be tested in a clinical setting, where emergency personnel are at hand. Most allergic reactions involve small skin rashes or mild tingling in the mouth, which are easily treated. In rare cases, a child may stop breathing and encounter anaphylaxis. To perform this test, an allergy specialist gives the patient very, very small doses of the suspected allergen until gradual tolerance develops.

Despite the success of the Food Challenge when it comes to food allergies in children, many anxious parents do not want to go through the process. It seems counterintuitive to ask children to eat something that is known to be harmful to them.

However, there are many reasons to go through with the test as well. First, blood test results and skin test results are not very accurate. Another reason to perform a Food Challenge is to see if the allergy has been outgrown. Lastly, a Food Challenge can pinpoint the precise food causing the kid food allergy. Elimination diets can take much longer to yield results. Documenting the degree of sensitivity to the food is the most precise way to uncover the child's tolerance level.

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Tags: immune system response, allergic reactions, food allergy, food allergies in children, kids with food allergies, Baby Food Allergies, peanut allergy, allergy specialist, test

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