Parenting A Child With Food Allergies, 5 things every new food allergy parent should know

Food Allergy Awareness Week is coming to an end and as a food allergy mom myself I thought this would be the perfect way to end the week. Like most moms my story started as innocent as my small child eating a snack. We are nine years into this food allergy life and while we are still learning and figuring things out, we do have a few years under our belt. Below I’ll be sharing 5 things every NEW allergy mom should know.

1.      Educate yourself on food allergy symptoms. Not every reaction is the same. A few symptoms include:

-throat tightness

-belly pain

-vomiting

-diarrhea

-itchy, swollen or watery eyes

-hives

2.      Advocate for your child. You are not being high maintenance. Don’t feel as though you are being an inconvenience by speaking up. Your child life depends on it. Whether it’s your child’s teacher, a friend meeting you for a playdate, or family take the time out to explain to them your child’s allergy and the severity of it.

3.      Teach your child how to advocate for themselves. As your child gets older you find that you can’t always be with them. While in class or visiting grandmother’s house for the weekend your child should know how to let people know of their allergies themselves. My daughter started out by just being vocal whenever it was snack time, or a friend tried to offer a treat by simply saying I have a nut allergy. Now that she’s a little older she’s able to read labels herself point out signs in restaurants and is well aware of her allergies, allergic reactions, and what needs to be done when or if she is having a reaction.  

4.      Know that allergic reaction can occur in different ways. My daughter has a peanut and tree nut allergy. She can be exposed in many ways:

- Direct contact which can be ingesting an allergen or having skin touch it

- Cross-contact which can happen when an allergen is indirectly introduced into a product during process and handling

- Inhalation which happens when dust or aerosols containing allergen is inhaled

5.      Steps you can take to avoid allergic reactions. The only way to avoid an allergic reaction is to keep your child away from food they are allergic to. Here are a few ways to help with that:

-          Learn to read labels

-          Ask about ingredients in foods

-          Wash your hands to help avoid cross contamination 

I am not a doctor. I am just a mom to a child with food allergies. If have any questions or concerns, I suggest reaching out to a professional like your child's pediatrician. This journey can be a scary one. Don't be afraid to ask questions and seek community. You aren't in this alone.