Food allergies in young children have become one of the major health problems facing New Zealand. The cause for concern with allergies is that as time passes, children develop allergies from a young age. However, most children who suffer from food allergies can outgrow them, but there are also cases where children have not outgrown childhood allergies and have developed them even during adulthood. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay What is an allergy? The immune system creates Y proteins called immunoglobulins or antibodies that help fight off foreign bodies, viruses, bacteria, parasites, and other harmful threats to the body. This is what keeps the human body healthy and is why a fever breaks out while 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 the hyperreaction to a foreign body called an allergen. An allergen is the cause of the trigger that sends the immune system into a frenzy. An allergen can be any type of external intruder. This can be a variety of things, but a common type of allergen that children deal with at an early age is often a food allergen. An example of the body's reaction to an allergen is type 1 or anaphylactic shock. If a peanut-allergic child were to eat the allergen, his or her body would automatically respond 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, closes the trachea. This makes it difficult for the baby to breathe while red, itchy patches develop on the skin. Anaphylactic shock is due to 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 the child directly to the hospital. Why are food allergies in children a problem? Food allergies in young children are often of great concern because it is often discovered after an allergic reaction if children are not tested. Because 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 eat if they know they have allergic reactions to certain foods, a child does. they don't understand the seriousness of it until they are taught it in school. For example, if a child saw something like chocolate lying around, he or she would be tempted to pick it up and eat it. If the child had a nut allergy and the piece of chocolate contained or coated nuts, he or she would go into anaphylactic shock which would be harmful and possibly fatal to the child. Whether it's in their home, in an ECE center or in shops, if there's something that looks delicious or interesting that children see, they won't hesitate to try it. However, food should not be ingested just to cause an allergic reaction. If they touched an allergen, their skin would break out in areas that would itch while the area that came into contact with the substance would swell and become slightly inflamed. After an allergic reaction, it is highly recommended that you seek professional help as there may be other implications that require attention. It is also recommended that after a child experiences an allergic reaction, they have at least one day to recover if it was just oneminor reaction. However, if the reaction was due to consumption of the allergen, the child would need more than a day to recover under supervision. Who is affected by allergies in children? Although children are affected above all because it affects first and foremost their health, but also their family and community. In 2011, an investigation was completed to find out whether the number of food allergy cases has increased or decreased. From 1997 to 2011, cases of food allergies increased by 50%, as stated by Health Navigator New Zealand. The influx of food allergy cases during these times is quite serious as it would mean that from 2011 to 2018 the numbers have also increased over the last seven years. As the number of allergic children increases, so does the demand for medications to treat reactions and possibly prevent allergies. This in turn affects the child's family as there are many families in New Zealand who suffer from allergy related problems. The test to find out if or what allergies a child has is quite expensive. Consumer NZ has set up a website offering essential testing information stating that "For a 'special' price of $90, it offers to test a sample of your hair to see if you are intolerant to any of 300 foods plus 300 others" . potential allergens". It provides the family with the price of the tests and what the tests do while helping parents make a decision. The community would also be affected, as the need to take precautions in case of an allergen in the immediate vicinity where the child is This especially affects shop owners, ECE centers and hospital staff. As it is important for each of these facilities to ensure that if a child has an allergic reaction and is in their shop, center or clinic, they must be fully prepared with first aid knowledge at hand. What are the significant factors affecting 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 overall health. One of the factors includes family history. If a family member had a food allergy as a child but outgrew it, chances are the child will too. The Pediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundations have created a site containing allergy information to inform parents about allergies and how they can affect their children. It also informs parents about the causes, treatment and ways to prevent some allergies. While 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 numerous triggers that can affect his or her immune system. It is best for children to be tested to find out what they are allergic to before their body reacts negatively and in some cases the appropriate treatment cannot be given. Another part of the environmental factor includes the change of seasons. Because New Zealand has a diverse range of pollen-based flora, hay fever is common in New Zealand. When the seasons change, hay fever is a primary problem that children face because they love playing outdoors in nature. Today, many products are sold that can be a factor in the development of allergies in a child in his life. This is mainly due to the chemicals used to produce the products, be they cleaning products, foods and materials. For example, if a child.