Childhood food allergies can have serious consequences, so it is understandable that parents are often apprehensive when entrusting a child with a known allergy to a nursery. Cross-contamination, hidden ingredients and a child not receiving a balanced diet are all real concerns. But practitioners can work with parents and reassure them that food allergies are very manageable in a nursery setting.
Food allergies and intolerances affect around 5 per cent of children in the UK, although many do grow out of them. It is essential that affected children avoid culprit foods because even small amounts can trigger life-threatening reactions such as mouth swelling, vomiting, a drop in blood pressure and anaphylaxis (see More Information). While any food can potentially cause an allergy, two of the most common reactions are to eggs and milk, as well as soya, wheat and peanuts.
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