Does my child have a food allergy? Getting the right answer for frustrating questions...

Food allergy. Say it around parents, and there's bound to be an opinion put forth shortly. Generally, it goes one of two ways.

"Gosh. Don't you think everyone's overacting to the whole thing? I can't even send a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to school! And my kids looove peanut butter!"

Or...

"Yeah. My kid's got them. We do the best we can."

Okay, so I'll admit that a few years ago, I may have fallen into the first camp. This may stem from an inordinate amount of adoration for all things Jiffy, but actually, my first experience with the subject came from working in public affairs at the National Center for Health Statistics. As a result of overseeing a TV interview with the statistician who had compiled a report on the increase of food allergies, I learned that the outlook for kids not developing food allergies wasn't so rosy.

When I became pregnant a year later, and eventually started my family, imagine my relief as my kids tried various foods with no adverse affects (beside the two-year-old saying, quite often and with great gusto, "Yucky").

But pretty soon, as a mother meeting other mothers in Edmond, I learned that dealing with the frustrating effects of food allergies is quite common. In fact, according to information from the National Center for Health Statistics, 5.6 percent of U.S. children (population under the age 18) have food allergies (that's 4.1 million kids!). And when I canvassed my friends for those who had children with food allergies, the percentage seemed like it could be even higher, at least in my circle.

One of my friends in Maryland, for example, discovered her son's food allergy before the age of one, when he couldn't consume things like cheese and yogurt. In fact, he had difficulty keeping food down, and what at first they thought was acid reflux, ended up being a milk allergy. An allergist soon confirmed that her son was allergic not only to milk, but also eggs and nuts.

In fact, food allergies at an early age is not so uncommon anymore. Dr. Tim Trojan of the Oklahoma Institute of Allergy and Asthma said that some prevailing theories for an increase are related to our stringent hygiene, or even the antibiotics used in foods that we consume. While researchers debate how to combat the rise, those children who already have allergies (and their parents) must continue to battle for normalcy and proper nutrition on a daily basis.

So, how do you know if your child is battling a food allergy? Well, the symptoms can vary, but as a parent, you know better than anyone what seems strange in your child. However, Dr. Trojan stated that common signs of an allergic reaction to food can include swelling of the lips, hives, nausea and diarrhea. Furthermore, an article from WebMD describes an allergic reaction as follows:

"If people are allergic to a particular food, for example, they may first experience itching in the mouth as they start to eat the food. After the food is digested in the stomach, abdominal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or pain may start. When the food allergens enter and travel through the bloodstream, they can cause a drop in blood pressure. As the allergens reach the skin, they can induce hives or eczema, or when they reach the lungs, they may cause bronchospasm (wheezing or constriction of the lungs). All of this takes place within a few minutes to an hour."

Once you suspect something like a food allergy, a conversation with your pediatrician would be your next step. Your child's doctor may be able to point you to a board certified allergist (you can also search for one here), who can walk you through the tests and help you understand the probability of your child having an actual food allergy and the next steps toward treating it. For more on that, check back May 22.

Finally, food allergies aren't something to fear. Basically, "A food allergy is a diagnosis that can be managed and managed quite well; it is important to seek out resources (like recipes) and a community of support to find out how other people deal with it, as well as learn how to minimize social stigma and reduce risks," said Dr. Trojan.

Words to take to heart, for sure. Check back next week as I have the opportunity to chat with parents in the community about dealing with their children's food allergies.

And for another helpful reference from Healthline, check out The Effects of Anaphylaxis on the Body.