Help kids with food allergies

[isilzha]

Help kids with food allergies
Carolyn Clifford / WXYZ Channel 7 Action News



Food allergies are becoming a bigger and bigger problem. The incidence of food allergy has doubled in the U.S. over the last 10 years. In fact, one in every 17 children younger than the age of 3 has some sort of food allergy, according to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. Since the reactions to an allergy can be life threatening, it is a good idea for all of us to know how to help children with food allergies stay safe. Here are seven suggestions:

Know the main culprits: Eight foods account for 90 percent of allergies. They are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish.

Be aware of the symptoms: Pediatric allergist Dr. Marc McMorris of the University of Michigan Health System says there can be anything from a few hives, to a mild skin reaction, to a life-threatening severe reaction.


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[Food Network Fan]

One in every 17? That seems like a LOT. I don't think I know even one kid with a food allergy.

[isilzha]

One of my friends from school was real sick for months and months and months. She had surgery, took all sorts of medicine and they still couldn't make her feel any better. Turns out she's allergic to gluten.

[Chap]

But them docs love to cut. That's a shame she had surgery because of that. Unfortunately you need to know and research your own symptoms before you even go to the doctor (if that's possible).