When it comes to your child’s health, food is a big topic. It’s what helps your child grow strong, stay active, and stay happy. But sometimes, food can also cause problems. Two common problems are food poisoning and food allergy. As a trusted child care specialist in Vizag, Dr. Venkatesh’s Child Care Clinic is here to help you understand these issues better so you can keep your little one safe and healthy.
What Is Food Poisoning?
Food poisoning happens when a child eats food that is not safe. This could be because the type of food has negative germs like bacteria, viruses or parasites. Such germs can upset your child’s stomach, making him or her feel uncomfortable.
Common Signs of Food Poisoning:
Stomach pain
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Fever
Feeling tired
Food poisoning normally starts several hours after consuming poisoned food. It can take a day or two, but sometimes the flu can be severe.
What Is Food Allergy?
A food allergy means that the body of your child believes that a particular food is dangerous when in fact it is not. The immune system- body defense system- oversensitizes and results in allergy symptoms. Food allergies can be described as quite different from food poisoning since they are not an effect of bacteria.
Common Signs of a Food Allergy:
Itchy skin or rash
Bloating of the size of face, lips or tongue
Trouble breathing
Stomach pain or vomiting
Sneezing or runny nose
The symptoms of a food allergy can develop at any time and they can appear instantly probably after a few minutes.
What are the problematic foods?
Foods That Can Cause Food Poisoning:
Raw or half-baked meat such as chicken or fish
Newly harvested fruits, and vegetables that are fresh but not washed.
Old or expired food
Contaminated water or milk
Foods That Can Cause Allergies:
Peanuts and tree nuts
Eggs
Milk
Wheat
Shellfish like shrimp
Soy
Of course, not all children will have allergies, but anyway, some products may trigger them more frequently than others will.
How to Tell the Difference
Similarities between food poisoning and a food allergy can at times make it complicated when deciding whether your child is suffering from one or the other. Here’s how you can tell:
Food Poisoning
It’s important to note that the symptoms of N-acetylcysteine usually show after a few hours.
Often contains diarrhoea and fever.
Caused by germs in food
Food Allergy
Symptoms start as early as fifteen minutes.
Includes: skin itch, skin swelling or skin rashes
Developed as a result of the protective mechanism of the human body
What Should You Do?
For Food Poisoning:
Keep Your Child Hydrated: Offer a lot of water or oral rehydration salts in order to avoid cases of dehydration.
Avoid Certain Foods: Do not offer spicy, oily and heavy foods until he or she starts to recover from the sickness.
Watch for Warning Signs: However, if your child have high fever, blood in stool, or is very weak, then take your child to the doctor.
For Food Allergy:
Stop Eating the Food: Make sure if you are aware with the specific food product that was eaten and triggered the allergy, prevent your child from taking it again.
Give Medicine: Your doctor may prescribe antihistamines; in the worst case, an epinephrine injection might be provided.
Call for Help: However, if your child has some form of respiratory difficulty, then you should seek the services of a doctor immediately.
How to Prevent These Problems
Preventing Food Poisoning:
It is Important to wash the hands before preparing food or handling it in anyway.
Consumption of properly cooked meats, egg and fish should be consumed.
Meal should be stored in the refrigerator to avoid cases it going bad before eating.
The street foods or foods prepared in unclean environments should be a no-no.
Preventing Food Allergies:
Start with one food at a time while introducing your child’s new diet at a very young age.
Any observations that need to be made should be monitored and specific foods should be kept away from.
To avoid consuming foods containing these allergens, the public should be vigilant on the labels of foods they purchase.
Make sure you inform teachers, caregivers, and everyone else your child is around about the food allergies.
When to See a Doctor
For food poisoning, visit a doctor if:
Your son/daughter is vomiting profusely, they cannot keep any fluids in their stomachs at this time.
They have signs of blood from spitting or defecation.
They have a fever, it’s high and the temperatures often do not drop.
For food allergies, see a doctor if:
Your child still experiences serious side effects, such as breathing difficulty or swelling.
The symptoms are not relieved as soon as an allergy medicine is taken.
You do not know what you are allergic to.
What Help can a Child Care Specialist in Vizag Provide
Welcome to Dr. Venkatesh’s Child Care Clinic where we are committed in rendering the best child care specialist facility to the children in Vizag. From food poisoning to food allergies, we have answers as well as a cure for you. We can also explain to you what could be going wrong with your child’s diet and then assist you in preventing such incidences in the future.
Your child's health is our top priority. If you have any concerns about this information do not hesitate to contact us. Hand in hand, we can ensure that your little one goes through life safeguarded, healthy and happy!
Stay Safe, Stay Healthy!
Comments