Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
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Your child may have a food allergy if you see these problems within 2 hours after your child eats a certain food:

• Your child's lips, tongue, or mouth swell up.
• Your child has hives.
• Your child's throat is sore.
• Your child has diarrhea or vomits.
• Your child's skin is itchy and red.
• Your child has a stuffy or runny nose.
• Your child sneezes, sniffs, or clears his throat.

These foods cause most food allergies:

• Peanuts (and peanut butter) and tree nuts
• Eggs
• Cow's milk products
• Soybeans (and soy formula)
• Wheat
• Fish and shellfish

Only a few children have true food allergies. Most children outgrow it by the time they are 2 or 3 years old. Some allergies last a whole lifetime.

How can I take care of my child?

• Make sure your child does not eat the food that causes the allergy. This should keep your child free of problems.
• Consider avoiding other foods in the same food group. Some children are allergic to two or more foods, sometimes in the same food group. For example, a child who is allergic to ragweed may also have problems with watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, and other gourds. Or a child allergic to peanuts may also have an allergy to soybeans, peas, or other beans.
• Give Benadryl four times a day if your child has just hives or itching. Do this until the hives are gone for 12 hours.
• Give your child any vitamins or minerals he or she might not get. For example, your child may not be able to have milk and cheese. Make sure your child gets calcium and vitamin D from other foods or pills.

Call 911 right away if your child:

• Wheezes.
• Has a croupy cough.
• Has a hard time when he breathes or swallows.
• Passes out.
• Feels tightness in the chest or throat.
• Has any other serious problem.

Call your child's doctor during office hours if:

• You have other questions or concerns.