Food allergy is an immune system reaction that occurs soon after eating a certain food. Even a tiny amount of the allergy-causing food can trigger signs and symptoms such as digestive problems, hives or swollen airways. In some people, a food allergy can cause severe symptoms or even a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis. Food allergy affects an estimated 8% of children under age 5 and up to 4% of adults. While there’s no cure, some children outgrow their food allergies as they get older. It’s easy to confuse a food allergy with a much more common reaction known as […]

In children, the most common allergies are to cow’s milk and egg, followed by soy, peanuts, tree nuts and wheat. The majority of children will lose their allergies by age three to five years. But allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shell fish are generally prolonged, which is why these four allergies are the most common amongst adolescents and adults. Here are some tips to help you support your child with a food allergy: Avoid spreading food that is not safe for your child to eat by washing your hands and your child’s hands with soap and water before handling […]

What is a food intolerance?   Food intolerance is used to describe many different conditions, where food causes unpleasant symptoms. It can happen each time that food is eaten, but are not a food allergy. A food intolerance is different from food allergy. Intolerances are not caused by the immune system and do not have the risk of a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).   How common is food intolerance? There are many different types of food intolerances which more commonly affect people than a food allergy. It is important to understand that not all reactions to food are because of a food allergy.   […]

This is a common disorder arising from an inability to digest lactose (milk sugar) because of low levels of the enzyme lactase. Lactose is the main sugar in milk and milk products from mammals (e.g. humans, cows, goats). Lactose is digested by the enzyme lactase in the small intestine of the gut. If lactase activity is low, undigested lactose passes into the colon (large intestine), where it can cause symptoms of lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance is often confused with milk allergy, but it is NOT an allergy.   The symptoms of lactose intolerance are:   Diarrhoea   Bloating   Flatulence (wind)   Abdominal pain or discomfort   […]

What is the difference between food allergy and food intolerance?   Food allergy Food intolerance Description If you have a food allergy, it means your immune system reacts to a harmless food as if it’s toxic. Your body triggers an allergic reaction.  A food intolerance is a bad reaction to something you’ve eaten that does not involve your immune system.  Symptoms Symptoms of a food allergy usually develop a few seconds or minutes after eating the food. These may include: tingling or itching in your mouth itchy red rash  swelling of the face, mouth, throat or other areas of your body difficulty swallowing wheezing […]

There are some things you can do that may help prevent your child developing a food allergy. These include:  if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, include foods (the ones that can cause allergic reactions) in what you regularly eat  breastfeed if you can   introduce solid food at around 6 months of age  give your child to a variety of foods to eat see your doctor if your child has a reaction to a food.   1. Include allergenic foods in your diet Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should eat a healthy, balanced diet, including allergenic foods. Cutting allergenic foods out will not prevent food allergy in your infant. […]