Sense and Sensitivity: Understanding Food Allergies in Kids
Today, it seems as if every classroom has a little Henry or
Jennifer who can't eat peanuts or wheat. So if you are caring
for young children, chances are that you are familiar with food
allergy, a potentially life-threatening condition that can cause
many families severe distress.  According to the American
Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, about 8 percent of
children have food allergies, compared to 2 percent of adults.
The good news those figures reflect is that some, though not
all, food allergies can be outgrown over time, particularly when
they stop eating the food.  Below, Jacqueline Pongracic, MD,
division head of allergy, at Children's Memorial Hospital in
Chicago, discusses how to recognize the signs of a food allergy,
as well as how to ensure proper diagnosis and follow-up, so you
can keep your child safe.  What is a food allergy? It's a food
reaction that happens through the immune system. That's
important to understand because o