Children with Food Allergies | Health Trend in Early Childhood – July 2025

A concerning health trend shows that 1 in 13 children has a food allergy. Research confirms that about 8% of children under 18 have one or more food allergies.

• Food allergies in children increased 50% from 1997 to 2011 and 50% from 2007 to 2021.
• Children under 10 face the highest risk of needing emergency care for allergies.
• Four of every ten children with food allergies need emergency treatment.
• 42.3% of children with food allergies have experienced severe allergic reactions, which may lead to life-threatening “anaphylaxis”. Source.
• The prevalence of food allergies is higher among low-income children, with emergency treatment costs being 2.5 times higher for them.

Providers/caregivers who gather the health history of newly enrolled children can ask parents/guardians to be very specific about their child’s food allergy since “allergy” is often used loosely. Find out immediately which food allergies are severe.

• Closely talk with parents to develop a written care plan for implementing dietary adaptations for children with food allergies. Encourage parents to ask their healthcare provider for a referral to a registered dietitian.

Prepare for all possibilities: Any child or adult can suddenly experience an allergic reaction in the child care setting for the first time.

Providers and families need to be knowledgeable about the symptoms of an allergic reaction and what to look for:

• Stuffy and/or runny nose
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Hives (urticaria)
• Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
• Wheezing
• Itching of the roof of the mouth
• Swelling of the throat or mouth
• Swelling of the skin (angioedema)
• Stomach cramps

Quick action is crucial to saving lives:

“Anaphylaxis” is a life-threatening allergic reaction that affects the whole body. Anaphylaxis is the most frequently occurring and most immediately life-threatening event that teachers and caregivers are likely to encounter daily. Many things can cause anaphylaxis, and food, insect stings, medications, and latex are some common causes. For more information, visit foodallergy.org/resources/facts-and-statistics.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis can include:

• Flushing, sweating, or paleness of the skin
• Swelling of the lips, skin, mouth, or throat
• Difficulty breathing, including wheezing
• Fainting, light-headedness, or convulsions
• Nausea, stomach cramps, or sudden vomiting or diarrhea
• Raised red rash (hives) and itching
• Drop in blood pressure
• Cardiopulmonary arrest

If symptoms of anaphylaxis are present, call 911 immediately.

Anaphylaxis usually occurs with no warning. Always plan your action steps for emergencies and frequently practice them in advance.

Maintaining communication with all parties involved in your emergency planning process is key, such as:

• Meeting with local emergency medical services (EMS) (911) providers and 1st responders to discuss what they will do if the program staff calls 911 for an emergency and what the program staff can do to prepare for emergencies that require a call to 911
• Providing ongoing PD for caregivers and staff on how to handle emergencies. See Food Allergy Plans and Preparation — Courses — Better Kid Care.

Parents need to understand that the diagnosis of food allergy is somewhat controversial. For example, food intolerances, such as lactose intolerance or failure to digest dairy milk well, are often misdiagnosed as food allergies. Talk with your healthcare provider if your child is allergic to food.

Suppose your child is at high risk for allergies or has had a previous severe allergic reaction. In that case, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends you have an Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan. You can use this plan with anyone who cares for your child.

• American Academy of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology: https://www.aaaai.org/
• Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE): https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/facts-and-statistics
• National Eczema Association: https://nationaleczema.org/
• Managing Chronic Health Needs in Child Care and Schools, 2^nd edition, 2019. American Academy of Pediatrics
• Randomized Trial of Peanut Consumption in Infants at Risk for Peanut Allergy: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1414850