Food allergies affect millions of children with their symptoms ranging from mild to very severe. Common causes include peanuts, fish, milk, and other dairy. The tricky part of any parent managing this for their child is not only identifying the allergen but also making sure any recipe doesn't contain it. This is especially hard when visiting a restaurant or even eating at a friend's house because many of these common offenders are hidden ingredients in meals. You must pay special attention to all the possible foods and ask questions when not certain. If a child has a severe allergy then the reaction would require immediate medical attention. It's obviously best to avoid this if at all possible.
So how do parents deal with these difficulties? We found a good video where several families talk about food allergies in their children and how they manage them. If your child has a food allergy or you suspect they do, this video is a great resource.
This video features moving interviews with six different parents who talk about the emotional and physical impact of food allergies on their families. The originators of the video received many requests from viewers who wanted to show it to friends, family, school staff, and other caregivers so they decided to share it.
Quick Tip: If you suspect your child has a food allergy it is important to talk to their physician about testing as some food allergies can cause severe reactions.