Milk and Egg Allergies Panic Parents More Than Peanuts

New research has found that food allergies caused by milk and eggs are more worrisome to parents than peanut allergies.

Food allergies in children are a cause for concern among parents as they can sometimes lead to serious consequences. There are 8 types of food that account for nearly 90 percent of all allergic reactions i.e. milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat. Food allergies are on the rise in American children.

Among all the food products, peanuts are what most people are allergic to. A new study from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) found that stress and anxiety levels are much higher among caregivers with children allergic to milk and eggs.

In this study, the researchers evaluated 305 caregivers of children who were allergic to milk, eggs, peanuts or tree nuts, all of which are the four most common food allergies. As a part of the study, the caregivers were asked to report details of the children's most severe food reaction and also their quality of life .

Those caregivers who were aware of the child's reaction to certain foods that they were averse to, had a superior quality of life. Also if they knew the exact food that their children were allergic to, they were less likely to be anxious as well as stressed.

The caregivers reported allergies to milk and eggs as most worrisome.

"It's assumed peanut and tree allergies are the most severe, and therefore it may be presumed they would cause the most strain for caregivers" said allergist Laura Howe, MD, lead study author and ACAAI member. "But because eggs and milk are everywhere, and used to prepare so many dishes, caregivers with children allergic to those two ingredients feel more worried and anxious."

Among 305 caregivers, only 64 percent had correctly perceived the severity of the child's reaction. Around 15 percent had over-perceived the severity and 19 percent under- perceived it.

"It is important for those who care for food-allergic children to work with an allergist to determine exactly what foods their child is allergic to, and how to respond in an emergency situation," said allergist Michael Foggs, MD, ACAAI president. "Parents need to have a clear plan of action in case their child eats a food they shouldn't. Children with a history of severe allergic reactions, and their caregivers, need to know how to administer epinephrine. Having plans in place can ease a parent's worries."

The finding was published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.