Food allergies in children

In the case of an allergic reaction, the symptoms usually occur within several minutes to two hours after eating the food. Symptoms range from skin rash and facial swelling to more severe reactions such as severe vomiting and diarrhoea, shortness of breath or even loss of consciousness.

Important facts:

• Food allergy tests (skin tests and blood tests) are often influenced by allergies to, for example, tree and grass pollen and house dust mites. Therefore, the tests should be requested with caution and interpreted correctly.
• A distinction should be made between allergy and intolerance: in the latter case, no allergic antibodies are present in the blood.
• There is currently no screening test for food intolerances.
• Persistent complaints involving only the gastrointestinal tract, such as persistent abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, bloating and flatulence, are not signs of a food allergy. In this case, stomach and/or intestinal disorders should always be considered first and allergy tests are not recommended.

Some doctors perform IgG tests to diagnose food intolerances/food allergies. The presence of IgG antibodies is NO evidence of an allergy or intolerance. There is therefore no scientific evidence for changing your diet based on anti-food IgG antibodies that were detected in your blood.

Pain (headache, muscle and joint pain) and continuous itching are also not suggestive of a food allergy.

Treatments

Your doctor will discuss the treatment options with you.