Common Food Allergies: What Parents Need To Know To Protect Their Kids From Allergy

If you already have food allergies, then you probably know that the allergic reactions can vary in severity from mild to life-threatening conditions. But do you know that children born into families where the condition already exists are at the higher of developing allergies themselves -- meaning your child might be developing food allergies, too.

Thus, you might want to consider changing your family's eating habits since eating food that contains an allergen can cause an allergic reaction in just a matter of minutes. So, to let you start, here are the most common food allergens that represent 90% of food allergic reactions: Peanuts, shellfish, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy, fish without shells and soy.

With that being said, Marion Groetch, RD, a dietitian at the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine said to WebMd parents should master the art of reading product labels. They should opt for the products that don't contain the eight major dietary allergens. However, some manufacturers don't label their products clearly; hence, you should call the maker if you have any hesitation.

In addition, if you're in a restaurant with your family, Groetch said, let the server know that you and your children have food allergies. You can also call the chef, just to make sure that the food they serve to you doesn't contain any ingredients that can trigger your children's allergy. And if you're planning to attend a party, you can also inform the host about your kids' allergies.

Moreover, you should always be ready and be familiar with the symptoms such as skin reactions, vomiting, diarrhea, breathing problems and throat swelling. If you notice any of the said symptoms to your child, then give him or her the proper medication, after consulting your doctor.

Nevertheless, if the symptoms persist call 911 immediately, your child might need an emergency treatment, especially if it is considered to be severe.