Anaphylaxis is the most severe type of allergic reaction. It may happen from a few minutes to an hour or 2 after contact with an allergen. Anaphylaxis can cause the airways to swell, making it hard to breathe.

When a child has a wheat allergy, even a small amount of wheat can cause a life-threatening reaction. For that reason, your child must stay away from all foods that contain wheat.

Read on for helpful information about keeping your child safe when they have a tree nut allergy. Includes foods to stay away from, nonfood allergens, how to read food labels, and preventing accidental exposure.

Soy foods, such as tofu, may not play a large part in your child's everyday diet. But soy is used as a filler, binder, or flavoring in hundreds of products.

Children allergic to 1 type of shellfish, such as lobster, often react to other types as well. For that reason, your child should stay away from all shellfish.

When a child has a peanut allergy, any contact with peanuts may cause a life-threatening reaction. For that reason, your child must stay away from peanuts and anything that contains them.

When a child has a milk allergy, even a small amount of milk can cause a life-threatening reaction. For that reason, your child must stay away from dairy products and any foods likely to contain milk.

When a child has an egg allergy, eating even a small amount of egg can cause a life-threatening reaction. For that reason, your child must stay away from eggs and any foods that contain them.

In children with food allergies, the immune system mistakes a food as harmful and releases powerful chemicals into the bloodstream. These chemicals cause symptoms that may range from mild to life-threatening or even fatal.

Learn the treatment options if your child is born with a deformity of the hand or foot.