So You Suspect Your Child Has a Food Allergy… Now What?
Seeing your child react to food can be frightening, especially if it’s the first time. Maybe your toddler broke out in hives after eating peanut butter, or your baby vomited after trying eggs for the first time. Despite our best efforts to introduce allergens early for prevention, sometimes food allergies still happen. While the process can feel overwhelming, following these steps will help you get the answers you need. Step 1: Observe and Document Begin by taking careful notes. Write down what your child ate, how much, and how quickly symptoms appeared. Common early signs include hives, swelling, vomiting, coughing, or sudden fussiness during feeding. If possible, take photos of any visible symptoms and record how long they lasted. This information helps your child’s doctor recognize patterns. 1,2 Step 2: Contact Your Child’s Pediatrician Your pediatrician should be your first point of contact. They will review your notes and symptoms, and may refer you to an allergist for testing. In...