Allergies can be quite bothersome. They acquire an entirely new level of irritation when they involve food and food by-products. Many times, parents do not know what foods their kids have developed allergies to until they have been exposed to those foods. Unfortunately, by the time they find out, their son or daughter has already suffered a troubling reaction

Food allergies are different from food sensitivities, but both take place in the immune system. Food allergies cause life threatening reactions because the immune system has to attack the food as soon as it enters the body or bloodstream.

The antibody, IgE is found in the immune system. This antibody goes right to action by bonding with the protein of the food that an individual is allergic to. When these IgE proteins build up, the body releases chemicals that cause a variety of reactions. These include: itching, fever, swelling, trouble breathing, vomiting and may even cause certain body system functions to shut down.

Food allergies typically appear when a child is very young. Most children will show signs of food allergies before they are three years old. If a child has not been exposed to a certain food there is a great chance that an allergy will show up later in life once he or she has been introduced to that food.

The most common food allergies come from products like milk, soy, eggs, wheat and nuts. These foods account for over ninety percent of allergies in children.

There is a big difference between food sensitivities and actually being allergic to specific foods. Food sensitivities can cause allergy-like reactions but often times these do not appear until long after the food is consumed. Usually, there is at least a two-hour time lapse before certain reactions develop.

People who suffer from real food allergies feel the effects almost instantly. Each time the food is consumed, the reactions will immediately take over the body. While some allergies can be averted if a child avoids the foods while they are young, many children will have to battle their food allergies throughout their whole life.

If you suspect that your child may have a food allergy, it is essential to have them screened through the use of an allergy skin test. This will get rid of any doubts in your mind about whether or not there is an allergy present. Once diagnosed, inform all health providers, family, and friends about the situation, and teach your child to ask what is in the foods that they are offered. The best way to deal with allergies in children is to entirely avoid the foods that cause the reaction.

It's not possible, however, to protect your child from dangerous foods every minute of every day. Packaging and labeling of food has improved a lot in recent years, and packaged foods are usually clearly labeled with potentially allergic products. However, your child may not know how to read the labels, and may inadvertently get a hold of a snack that has traces of an allergen such as peanuts in it.

Because some food allergens can create life-threatening complications, it is important to always have an Epi-pen available in case of emergency. An Epi-pen is a large dose of epinephrine that can protect your child until professional help arrives. After giving the shot to your child, call 911 immediately for medical care.