How To Be Mindful of Allergies

Back in the day, kids took whatever their parents packed them for lunch. Now, there are serious restrictions placed on what children can eat in the presence of other children.

It’s no secret that food allergies are on the rise. More and more children are developing aversions to certain foods, which means that everyone must be a little bit more careful when preparing foods for our young ones and their friends.

Many people suffer from allergies. Some lucky children outgrow their allergies, and some unlucky adults develop allergies later in life.  It is currently estimate that food allergies affect about 6% of children and about 5% of adults.

The following are the most common food allergies:

Milk
Many people have a hypersensitive reaction to milk - also known as lactose intolerance. It is actually the most common allergen for children, where 2.5% of children have an allergy to milk. Fortunately an allergy to milk is often grown out of, making milk allergies less common in adults. Remember that those who are allergic to milk need to avoid lactose-free products, because this allergy is very different from lactose intolerance.

Shell Fish
Shell fish is the most common allergy for adults as this allergy often develops later in life. It affects 2% of adults and only 0.1% of children. And unfortunately, those who have developed this allergy to one type of shell fish run the risk of reacting to other types of shell fish as time goes on.

Peanuts
Allergies to peanuts affect about 1.4% of children and 0.6% of adults, and children are unlikely to outgrow a peanut allergy (only 20% do). Although this is a less common allergy than milk, it is much more severe.  Peanuts cause the highest rate of anaphylactic reactions, which is an emergency situation that can be a deadly.

Eggs
Like milk, egg allergies are much more common amongst children than adults. 1.5% of children are allergic to eggs, while it is not very prevalent among adults because 80% of children outgrow this allergy. Luckily for those who are allergic, there are egg substitutes available so you can still eat those delicious baked goods!

Tree Nuts
Similar to peanuts, tree nuts tend to be a lifelong allergy. 1.1% of children suffer from this allergy, and it is found in 0.5% of adults. Occasionally those who are allergic to one type of tree nut will also begin to react to other types of nuts.

Image from MorgueFile

Vanessa Matyas
		About the author:
		After finishing her Masters in Communications and New Media from McMaster University this August, Vanessa Matyas jumped on a plane to California in search of some adventure.  The self proclaimed pop culture junkie was in heaven, enjoying all the sights, sounds and weather of Los Angeles. After returning to Toronto she decided to put her passion for all things entertainment to good use, which led her here to WOMAN.CA.
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