Print edition: 
It's estimated that 3 million children have an allergy to some type of food. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, in a classroom of 25 students, there will be at least one student who has been diagnosed with food-related allergies.
It is critical for parents to be able to identify the signs and symptoms of an allergic response. Precious time can be lost when parents do not immediately recognize the clues. It's helpful to remember that children may use different words or expressions to describe their symptoms than commonly used by adults.
Younger children may use body language to alert parents that they having an allergic reaction. Parents may notice their child rubbing her neck or pulling on her tongue with her fingers. A child may cough, try to clear her throat or act like she is gagging or going to vomit. If your child becomes fussy, irritable or cries after eating a specific food, this may be another sign.
A school-age child may report that his skin is itching, or that his throat, tongue or lips feel thick or swollen or itches. Or a child may describe the sensation of a bug crawling on his throat or tongue. He may report a headache, nausea or a stomach ache.
Food-related allergic reactions may be severe. A severe allergic response, called anaphylaxis, can be life threatening. Signs of an anaphylactic reaction may include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, wheezing, swelling of the throat and/or tongue, restless behavior and bluish-pale skin. Serious food allergic reactions need immediate emergency medical care.
Having a food allergy emergency plan developed by your child's doctor and used by anyone who spends time with your child is crucial for his safety. Your child's doctor will discuss the appropriate treatment for food allergies, including removing specific foods from your child's diet.
For more severe allergic responses, the doctor may recommend that certain medications be taken. He may prescribe an emergency medication such as self-injectable epinephrine. This is manufactured in a ready-to-use pen injector that can be injected in the child's outer thigh. It is created to be easily used by most people with a little training. Even if parents use a epinephrine on a child, it is crucial to get immediate medical care such as calling 911.
It is important to let all of the people in your child's life know about his food allergies, such as family members, school nurse, teachers, day care provider, scout leader and others. Share a copy of your child's food allergy emergency plan along with all the necessary supplies and medications. Always check to see whether there is additional paperwork that needs to be completed so that your child can receive necessary care when away from home. For schools, the registered nurse is the contact person for implementation of the emergency health care plan.
Help your child understand what it means to have food related allergies:
* Go to a library or bookstore to look for children's books about food allergies. Take time to read the books as a family.
* For younger children, help them create labels on sticker paper to attach to food containers to identify their safe snacks. Your child can use crayons and marker to create his own personal "safe food" designer labels.
* Take your child shopping with you to buy snack foods that are safe for her. Spend time showing older children how to read packaging labels to identify ingredients that are not safe.
* Ask your school-age child to assist you in the kitchen when preparing meals. Show him how his favorite recipe can be altered to be a safe food. Have fun creating healthy and safe recipes together.
