Is It Possible for a Child to Outgrow Their Food Allergy?

Food allergies occur when the immune system has an unusual response to a certain food product, such as dairy, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, or soy. Approximately 1 in every 13 children in the United States lives with a food allergy.

Allergic reaction symptoms can range broadly from a mild case of hives or upset stomach to severe swelling and anaphylaxis, a potentially deadly reaction. A food that previously gave your child a minor reaction may cause a more serious one if they encounter the same allergen again.

The only treatment for food allergies is to identify and avoid foods that trigger a reaction in your child. While allergies can develop at any age, it’s possible that your child may outgrow them. 

Our team of specialists at Abdow Friendship Pediatrics in Rockville, Maryland, offers in-house allergy testing to establish your child’s trigger foods and provide advice on how to manage their reactions. Here’s what parents should know about food allergies and why kids may or may not outgrow them.

Allergy vs. intolerance

Food allergies and intolerances aren’t the same, though sometimes the terms are used interchangeably. Food allergies provoke an immune system response that causes symptoms including:

• Coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing
• Hives or red spots on the skin
• Inflammation of the mouth, lips, and/or tongue
• Stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea
• A drop in blood pressure, possibly leading to loss of consciousness

Food intolerances occur when the body can’t digest a certain substance, such as lactose or gluten. They generally affect the gastrointestinal system and cause symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, and diarrhea. 

While these symptoms can be uncomfortable, they’re rarely life-threatening and can often be managed with medication. 

Symptoms of an allergic reaction tend to come on quickly, shortly after your child consumes the allergen. Food intolerances typically develop more slowly over time.

Common problem foods

While kids can be allergic to virtually any food, some foods are more common allergens than others. In fact, the following foods are responsible for 90% of all food allergies:

• Milk and dairy products
• Eggs
• Wheat
• Peanuts
• Tree nuts, including walnuts, almonds, pecans, and pistachios
• Seafood, including fish and shellfish
• Soybeans and products made with soy
• Sesame

Egg, dairy, and peanut allergies tend to be the most prevalent in young children. While all allergic reactions are potentially serious, peanuts, tree nuts, and seafood are shown to produce the most severe symptoms.

Outgrowing a food allergy

Children often outgrow certain allergies by the time they reach their teen years. Most children outgrow dairy, egg, and wheat allergies between the ages of 4-16.

If your child can tolerate baked products that contain milk and/or eggs, there’s a good chance they’ll outgrow their allergy. Other food allergies are less likely to be outgrown, such as allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish.

Every child is unique, which makes it challenging to predict if or when your son or daughter will grow out of their food allergy. Immunotherapy, introducing a minuscule amount of the allergen under medical supervision, can be effective in some cases. This is known more commonly as allergy shots. 

If your child has symptoms of a food allergy or intolerance, the team at Abdow Friendship Pediatrics can diagnose the problem and help establish any necessary dietary changes or restrictions. Schedule an appointment by phone or online today.