Food allergies: Important information every child should know
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Millions of people in the UK have a food allergy.
It is when the body's immune system reacts unusually to certain foods.
But where do they come from? And should people be worried about having one?
Newsround has spoken to Amena Warner from the charity Allergy UK to get answers to the big questions about food allergies.
Where do food allergies come from?
"Food allergy is an unusual immune response to a food or to some foods in a food group that have similar proteins, such as peanuts," says Amena.
"Your body's immune system is there to defend itself against infection such as bacteria, parasites, viruses.
"So when it reacts to something it shouldn't do, such as a food, it is called an 'abnormal immune response', and the food causing it will be referred to as the 'allergen'."
WATCH: Callum's story - what it's like to live with 28 allergies
Can people live a normal life with a food allergy?
Amena says "Yes, it is perfectly possible and many people do. We all need to eat good nutritional food to be healthy and there are many alternative types of food."
"People living with food allergy have to be very cautious. What is very important is not to eat the food that causes the allergy. Avoidance is key.
"Always ask if there is the food allergen in anything you want to eat (if you are eating out, at a friend's house or party or even picking up a quick snack and check labels of products that are wrapped), know what the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction are and what to do.
"If you carry an adrenaline auto injector - a rescue medication to give in an emergency - know how to use it, call for adult help and let them know you need an ambulance."
A - Always ask about food allergens before you eat the food
S - Speak up
K - Keep safe
Source: Allergy UK
Are you born with food allergies or can you develop them as you get older?
"You are not born with a food allergy, you can develop them either in childhood or as an adult," adds Amena.
"What you are born with is a tendency to develop allergy especially if your parents have an allergy such as asthma, eczema or hay fever. T
"There are things that can be done to reduce this probability."
WATCH: How to be a good friend to someone who has an allergy
Should a child be worried about trying new food in case they are allergic?
"Only avoid a food if you know you are allergic to it or if you have been told to avoid it by a doctor or your parents/carers," Amena stresses.
"If you have any concerns talk to a parent, teacher or carer, as it may need to be discussed with your family doctor. Otherwise there is no reason for not trying new foods.
"Patient organisations like Allergy UK have lots of information on its website about food allergy - www.allergyuk.org"
1. There is currently no cure for food allergy. Avoiding the food that you are allergic to is the only way to protect against food allergy.
2. People who have food allergy look well for most of the time, but can become very unwell very quickly if they eat the food they are allergic to.
3. If you are at risk of having a severe allergic reaction, you will carry an adrenaline auto-injector (AAI) - make sure that you know when and how to use it.
4. Always inform people that you have a food allergy. This is very important for when you choose food, eat out or go round a friend's house to eat.
5. It's easy to ASK!
Source: Allergy UK
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