Food allergies in young children have become one of the major health problems facing New Zealand. The reason for concern about allergies is that over time, children develop allergies at a young age. Although the majority of children with food allergies can outgrow them, there are also cases where children have not outgrown their childhood allergies and have them throughout their adult lives as well. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get an original essay What is an allergy? The immune system creates Y proteins called immunoglobulins or antibodies that help fight foreign bodies , viruses, bacteria, parasites, and other harmful threats to the body. It is what keeps the human body healthy and is the reason why fevers break out when an individual is sick. When the immune system develops an autoimmune disease, it is often because it is hypersensitive to foreign bodies entering the body. The consequence of this disease is an allergy. An allergy is an overreaction to a foreign body called an allergen. An allergen is the trigger that sends the immune system into frenzy. An allergen can be any type of outside intruder. There can be a variety of causes, but a common type of allergen that children encounter from a young age is often a food allergen. An example of the body's reaction to an allergen is type 1 anaphylactic shock or anaphylactic shock. If a child with a peanut allergy ate the allergen, their body would automatically react in a violent manner that could be fatal if the child is not treated immediately. The body's response to the allergen includes swelling of the tongue which closes the larynx and, in turn, the trachea. This makes it difficult for the child to breathe while the skin develops itchy red spots on the skin. Anaphylactic shock is caused by the chemical reaction that immunoglobulins produce to fight foreign bodies carried by food. In the event that a child experiences anaphylactic shock, an EpiPen should be administered as soon as possible before taking them directly to the hospital. Why are food allergies in children a problem? Food allergies in young children are often a cause for great concern. because it is often discovered after an allergic reaction if children are not tested. While children are still learning about the world they live in, they do not have the same rational mindset as adults. This means that while an adult would worry about what they ate if they knew they had allergic reactions to certain foods, a child would worry about what they ate if they knew that he has allergic reactions to certain foods. don't understand gravity until they learn about it in school. For example, if a child saw something like chocolate lying around, they would be tempted to grab it and eat it. If the child is allergic to nuts and the piece of chocolate contains or covers nuts, the child would suffer anaphylactic shock which would be harmful or even fatal to the child. Whether at home, in an ECE center or in stores, if children see something that looks delicious or interesting to them, they won't hesitate to try it. However, simply ingesting food is not enough when an allergic reaction occurs. If they touched an allergen, their skin would form into itchy pimples while the area came into contactwith the substance would swell and become slightly inflamed. After an allergic reaction, it is strongly recommended to seek professional help. as there might be other implications that require special attention. It is also recommended that after a child has an allergic reaction, they have at least a day to recover if it is only a minor reaction. However, if the reaction was due to consuming the allergen, it would take more than a day to recover under supervision. Who is affected by allergies in children? Although children are the most affected as it primarily affects their health, but their families and the community are also affected. In 2011, a survey was carried out to find out whether the number of cases of food allergies had increased or decreased. From 1997 to 2011, cases of food allergies increased by 50%, as reported by Health Navigator New Zealand. The influx of food allergy cases between these periods is quite serious as it would mean that from 2011 to 2018 the numbers have also increased over the past seven years. As the number of children with allergies increases, the demand for medications to treat reactions and potentially prevent allergies increases. This in turn affects the child's family, as many families in New Zealand have allergy-related problems. The test to find out if a child has allergies or which allergies is quite expensive. Consumer NZ had created a website which offers essential information about the tests stating: "For a 'special' price of $90 it offers to test a sample of your hair to see if you are intolerant to any of the 300 foods plus 300 more. potential allergens. It tells the family how much the tests cost and what the tests do, which helps the parents make a decision. The Community would also be affected by the need to take allergen precautions in the immediate area where the child is located. This mainly affects traders, ECE centers and hospital staff. As it is important for each of these establishments to ensure that if a child experiences an allergic reaction and it occurs in their store, center or doctor's office, they must be fully prepared and have knowledge first relief. What are the important factors that concern food allergies? There are many factors to consider when a child develops a food allergy. Some of these factors include genealogy, environment, certain products sold, and general health. One of the factors includes family history. If a family member had a food allergy as a child but survived, it is likely that the child will suffer from it as well. The Pediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundations have created an allergy information site to educate parents about allergies and how they can affect their children. It also informs parents of the causes, treatments and possibilities of prevention of certain allergies. Although it is common for allergies to be passed down from generation to generation, it is not the only factor. Another factor includes the environment. Since an allergy must have a cause, the environment provides many opportunities for the child to be exposed to many triggers that can affect their immune system. It is best for children to be tested to find out what they are allergic to before their body reacts negatively and appropriate treatment cannot be given in some cases. Another part of the environmental factor includes the.