Food allergies are a common occurrence and on the rise in the US children. Understanding racial inequality is essential to be able to provide optimal care for all children. Recent research confirms that Black American children have higher rates of fish/shellfish and wheat allergies than Caucasian children.
According to recently published research from the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, race does play a key role in children’s food allergies. Here’s what the study revealed:
- Black children with food allergies were more likely than Caucasian children to have asthma. More severe asthma was noted in children diagnosed with a shellfish allergy.
- The importance of reducing Black children’s exposure to cockroaches
since exposure can trigger shellfish allergy in children. Higher levels of cockroach allergens are common in poor inner-city neighborhoods.
The most common foods that cause the majority of allergic reactions are: cow’s milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, soy, peanuts, tree nuts and wheat. Food allergy reactions can be life-threatening. If you are diagnosed with a true food allergy, you should be very careful to avoid any contact with that food. Careful label reading of food ingredient labels is critical to avoiding any problems.
There are important differences between Black American and Caucasian children with respect to food allergy. By increasing awareness of such differences, the better we can provide support for minority groups. Additionally, this information may lend support for other allergic diseases such as asthma, hay fever and eczema.
For further information on allergies, visit: The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology at www.aaaai.org