The Pennsylvania Key’s Health Trends in Early Childhood series for July highlights a troubling rise in food allergies among children.
Over the past few decades, the occurrence of food allergies in young people has surged. Current statistics show that about 1 in 13 children deal with a food allergy. That’s roughly 8% of all kids under 18. Alarmingly, between 1997 and 2011, food allergies increased by 50%, and that trend has continued with a similar rise from 2007 to 2021. The youngest children—particularly those 10 and under—are at the highest risk and often require emergency medical attention.
A significant 40% of children with food allergies face the need for emergency care, and over 42% have had severe reactions, which can escalate to life-threatening situations known as anaphylaxis. Strikingly, food allergies are more common in low-income families, where the costs for necessary emergency treatments can be 2.5 times higher.
Experts suggest early exposure to allergens may lower risk. A pivotal study on peanut allergies found that introducing peanuts to babies early on—before their first year—reduced allergy risk by more than 80%. This brings hope for prevention strategies.
Parents should watch for various symptoms that might indicate a food allergy. These can include wheezing, stomach cramps, hives, and eczema. Severe reactions can involve swelling of the skin or throat, which requires immediate medical attention.
For those looking for more information on food allergies, including safety measures, check out The Pennsylvania Key’s full report here.
With food allergies on the rise, awareness and proactive measures are key to keeping our children safe.
