Managing a child's food allergy feels overwhelming, but with proper planning, your bachcha can live safely and happily! Food allergies require vigilance but don't have to limit your child's life. The key is: knowing your child's allergens, reading labels, carrying emergency medication, and educating everyone involved in their care. Most children with food allergies thrive with proper management!
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Food allergy = immune system overreaction to a food protein
"Big 8" allergens (most common):
| Allergen | Common Sources | Hidden In |
|---|---|---|
| Milk (doodh) | Dairy products, ghee, paneer | Baked goods, chocolates, many Indian sweets |
| Eggs (anda) | Eggs, mayonnaise | Cakes, pasta, some vaccines |
| Peanuts (moongphali) | Peanut butter, groundnut oil | Sauces, Indian sweets, snacks |
| Tree nuts | Almonds, cashews, walnuts | Desserts, pesto, marzipan |
| Wheat (gehu) | Roti, bread, pasta | Soy sauce, many processed foods |
| Soy (soya) | Soy milk, tofu | Many processed foods, oils |
| Fish (machli) | All fish | Fish sauce, Caesar dressing |
| Shellfish | Prawns, crabs, lobster | Fish sauce, some soups |
Common in India:
Document clearly:
Keep records of:
Label reading is ESSENTIAL!
Look for:
Allergen names to watch:
| Allergen | May Also Be Called |
|---|---|
| Milk | Casein, whey, lactose, ghee, paneer |
| Egg | Albumin, globulin, lysozyme |
| Wheat | Gluten, semolina (suji), maida, atta |
| Peanut | Groundnut, arachis |
| Soy | Soya, lecithin (sometimes) |
Read labels EVERY TIME - ingredients can change!
Written plan should include:
Share this plan with: School, grandparents, caregivers, birthday party hosts
Always have with child:
| Medication | When to Use |
|---|---|
| Antihistamine (cetirizine/Allegra) | Mild symptoms - hives, itching, single symptom |
| Epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) | Severe/anaphylaxis - breathing trouble, multiple symptoms |
| Asthma inhaler (if asthmatic) | Wheezing, breathing issues |
Rules for medication:
At home:
At restaurants/outside:
At school/parties:
Age-appropriate education:
| Age | What to Teach |
|---|---|
| 2-4 years | "No eating from others without asking mama/papa" |
| 4-6 years | Name of allergen, "I'm allergic to ___" |
| 6-8 years | Reading simple labels, recognizing allergen |
| 8+ years | Self-advocating, when to get help, using EpiPen |
Empower without scaring - focus on what they CAN eat!
Annual allergist visits:
Symptoms:
Action:
Symptoms:
Action:
| Mistake | Why It's Dangerous | Do This Instead |
|---|---|---|
| "Just a little bit won't hurt" | Even traces can trigger severe reaction | Strict avoidance |
| Not reading labels | Ingredients change, hidden allergens | Read EVERY time |
| Leaving medication at home | Emergency can happen anywhere | Carry always |
| Not informing caregivers | They can't protect what they don't know | Communicate clearly |
| Relying on "safe" restaurants | Cross-contamination happens | Always verify |
A: Many children DO outgrow milk allergy! About 80% outgrow it by age 5-6. Your allergist will do periodic testing to check. Some children tolerate baked milk (in cakes) before fresh milk. Don't try reintroduction at home - always under doctor supervision. Even if not outgrown, management becomes easier as child learns.
A: Give EpiPen for: difficulty breathing, swelling of lips/tongue/throat, dizziness/fainting, severe vomiting with other symptoms, or any time child looks very sick after allergen exposure. When in doubt, GIVE IT - it's safer to give unnecessarily than to delay in true emergency. Then call ambulance. Don't wait to see if symptoms improve.
A: Steps: 1) Meet teachers and principal before school starts, 2) Provide written allergy action plan with photo, 3) Give medication to school nurse/office, 4) Send safe lunch and snacks daily, 5) Request allergen awareness in classroom, 6) Educate your child to self-advocate, 7) Consider medical ID bracelet, 8) Provide safe treats for class birthdays.
A: Tips: Call ahead and explain allergy, ask to speak with chef, choose simple dishes (grilled plain, etc.), avoid fried foods (shared oil), inform server clearly, check ingredients even for "safe" sounding dishes, carry safe snacks as backup. Some families carry chef cards (allergy info in local language). When traveling in India, home food is often safest option.
A: ALLERGY = immune system reaction, can be life-threatening (anaphylaxis), even tiny amounts can trigger, symptoms include hives, breathing trouble, swelling. INTOLERANCE = digestive issue, uncomfortable but not dangerous, usually needs larger amounts to trigger, symptoms are mainly digestive (gas, diarrhea, stomach pain). Lactose intolerance is NOT same as milk allergy. Allergy requires strict avoidance and emergency medication.
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This article was reviewed by a pediatrician. Last updated: January 2025
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