Beware! Do not feed your child’s allergy

Beware! Do not feed your child’s allergy

Doctors say parents often mistake allergic reactions to food for seasonal ailments

Maitri Porecha l Mumbai

When Rahul, 10, (name changed), a student of Ghatkopar’s Universal School, started scratching himself uncontrollably because of immense itching, the nature of the rashes on his body made his school principal suspect the itching was caused by a food allergy.      Parents often fail to realise that food can cause allergies that manifest themselves in the form of skin rashes, coughs, colds or difficulty in breathing. They often mistake these symptoms for seasonal infections and ignore the problem, says Kavita Malhotra, principal of Universal School. “In school, sometimes children have rashes or trouble breathing. Parents don’t realise that some children can’t tolerate certain vegetables, like brinjals, or berries or milk; at times, even cereals,” she adds.      An international study reveals, in any given population, 4-6% children may have food allergies. Doctors say that a child who is fed non-mother’s milk, egg, wheat or nuts before the age of six months develops allergies to such foodstuffs. “Often, mothers who are unable to breastfeed their children give them cow’s milk. Elders feed children khichdi or dalia thinking it will boost the baby’s growth. An infant’s intestines aren’t capable of digesting milk, egg or wheat protein. Such a child will grow up to develop intolerance towards such food,” says Dr Amin Kitekar, consulting paediatrician at Kurla’s Kohinoor Hospital.     Nutritionists suggest that children who are allergic to milk protein can be given snacks replete with yoghurt, cheese or butter so that their daily requirement of calcium is fulfilled. While rashes or respiratory distress are minor symptoms, doctors say extreme intolerance to certain foodstuffs can cause a child to slip into an anaphylactic shock. “If a child develops severe reactions, such as low blood pressure or breathlessness due to swelling of the throat, he/she should be taken to hospital. Schools too should be equipped with infrastructure and manpower to stabilise the child,” says Dr Bijal Shrivastav, paediatrician at LH Hiranandani hospital in Powai. “Skin prick tests were done to ascertain food allergies. Now, blood tests are enough. Parents shouldn’t leave such things to chance, and get their child’s blood tests done.”

Published Date:  Jul 10, 2012          Courtesy(visited on (12.7.12)

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