Food allergies in children
A food allergy happens when a child’s immune system overreacts to a food or substance that is normally harmless.
This immune response can happen after eating or coming into contact with certain foods and may cause reactions like:
- digestive issues
- skin irritation
- difficulty breathing.
Reactions can vary from mild to life-threatening, so recognising and managing food allergies is essential to keeping your child safe and healthy.
Knowing and managing food allergies in your child to help create informed dietary choices and prevent adverse reactions.
Did you know?
Allergy medical alert bracelets, necklaces or wrist bands are recommended for children and adolescents at risk of anaphylaxis.
Understanding food allergies in children
Food allergies can develop after a child’s first exposure to an allergen. Initial reactions are often mild, but repeated exposure may lead to more severe responses, usually within minutes.
If the allergen is ingested, a reaction or symptoms may take a few hours to appear. Reactions beyond 24 hours are rare, except in non-IgE-mediated allergies.
See Types of food allergies for more information on these allergy conditions.
Some children are more likely to develop allergies due to genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors.
Around 20% of children will have an allergy, with the risk increasing:
- over 50% if one parent has allergies
- 60–75% if both parents have allergies.
Visit Infant and baby nutrition for information on introducing allergen foods safely.