For parents or guardians of children with food allergies, the health journey means facing unknown and unexpected challenges.
Finding out that your child has a food allergy can be a shock, especially if you find out during a severe allergic reaction.
For many parents, this experience immediately raises concerns: “Is this condition life-threatening? How careful do I need to be going forward? What if I’m not preparing meals?”
Additionally, food allergies can be unpredictable. Even if your child has had a mild allergic reaction in the past, there is no way to predict how severe a future allergic reaction will be. More than 40% of children with food allergies will experience a severe allergic reaction at some point in their lives.
Healthline spoke with Dr. Jennifer Silver, a dentist and mother of a 6-year-old boy with multiple food allergies, who says the journey has been full of challenges, but also moments of great growth.
“Around the time of his first birthday, our son began experiencing recurring rashes and digestive issues after meals,” Silver says.
“Initially, we thought it could be down to a number of factors, including sensitive skin or a mild gastroenteritis, but as the symptoms persisted and worsened we began to suspect a more serious issue.
“After consulting with our pediatrician and undergoing several tests, it was determined that my child has multiple food allergies, including dairy, eggs and nuts.”
A food allergy triggers an immune response in the body, which in turn triggers a series of biological reactions that can result in symptoms like facial swelling, itching, coughing, and nausea.
In some children, food allergies can cause anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction that affects multiple organ systems in the body.
In young children, like Silver’s son, a severe allergic reaction, or anaphylaxis, can manifest differently than it would in older children or adults. Young children are more likely to experience symptoms such as:
Rash, itching, hoarseness/crying, diarrhea, vomiting, hives, sudden behavioral changes
If your child is diagnosed with a food allergy at a young age, managing the food allergy can be very difficult.
Silver points out that when her son first began showing symptoms, he was just a toddler and his vocabulary was still developing: He couldn’t communicate exactly what he was feeling, and when he had an allergic reaction, he didn’t always really understand what was going on.
Silver says the first few years were a steep learning curve, with numerous moments of trial and error.
“We had to carefully check ingredient labels,” she explained, “and learn how to prepare alternative foods without triggering allergies, and learn about hidden allergens.”
One of the biggest discoveries, she said, was constant communication with relatives, other caregivers and restaurant staff.
“To ensure the safety of our children, we had to proactively inform relatives, caregivers and even restaurant staff about their children’s dietary restrictions.”
Silver says there was a lot of worry and concern at the beginning.
“It was hard to watch my children struggle and I often didn’t know how to help them. I sometimes felt overwhelmed and frustrated, especially when trying to navigate social situations or find safe food.”
With food allergies, safety becomes a top priority and something that must be thought about daily, resulting in a range of emotions from anxiety and overwhelm to fear.
Resilience is key, Silver said, because it allows them to adapt and change as they learn. When kids are young, much of their learning is trial and error.
As a parent, being constantly on guard against food allergies can be exhausting. It can feel like you’re constantly thinking about it, and many parents are constantly worried about picking the wrong food that will cause an allergic reaction.
Throughout, there were moments of joy and gratitude. Ms. Silver was incredibly moved by her son’s positivity and learned to embrace this journey with courage, gratitude and an unwavering commitment to give her child the best life possible.
Silver says the key for parents of children newly diagnosed with food allergies is to arm themselves with as much knowledge as possible: Seek guidance from an allergist, join online support groups, and ask lots of questions.
Learning as much as you can about food allergies can help you feel more in control and able to cope with your child’s diagnosis.
Silver recommends creating comprehensive emergency plans that outline symptoms from mild to severe and provide detailed instructions on what to do during an allergy attack. Emergency plans can be printed and given to anyone who will be spending time with your child, including teachers, daycare workers and other family members.
The most important thing, Silver says, is to remember that you’re not on this journey alone. There are resources available to help you every step of the way. It certainly gets easier. Her son is now 6, and managing his allergies has become a normal, everyday part of their lives.
For additional coping strategies, consider the following:
Work with a mental health professional Learn breathing exercises, meditation, or mind-body arts (such as tai chi) Make time for a creative hobby Exercise regularly Keep a gratitude journal to celebrate small successes
Food allergies in children require ongoing management and parental involvement. Although it may seem overwhelming, confusing or worrying at times, all parents go through a learning curve after their child is diagnosed with a food allergy.
Learning as much as you can about food allergies and working closely with your child’s allergist and pediatrician can help you gain more control over the course of a food allergy. Support groups, mental health professionals, and self-care are just a few of the coping strategies you can add to your daily life.
Jennifer Silver, MD
Dr. Jennifer Silver was born in Newfoundland and graduated with a degree in Dental Surgery from the University of Melbourne, Australia. She is the owner of McLeod Trail Dentistry and mother to a 6-year-old son.
