You’ve started to notice that your kid keeps getting a rash after they eat. Why is this happening, and is it something you should be worried about? Usually, rashes aren’t that big of a problem, especially for kids. As kids grow up, they can have a range of skin conditions that fade away when they get older. But, you should probably be a bit concerned about a rash that seems to keep coming and going, particularly if it happens after eating. In most cases, your child has a rash because of one of these three things or could it be a food allergy?
A Food Intolerance
Food intolerance is when your child’s body doesn’t agree with the food they’ve eaten. A lot of kids are lactose intolerant, for example, because their stomach doesn’t like digesting lactose. However, there are instances where your child could develop a rash or hives if they have an intolerance to a certain food. This could be the problem with your kid if they don’t exhibit any other serious symptoms. A rash, possibly with a bit of bloating or an upset stomach, could indicate a food intolerance – especially if it happens after they eat the same type of food.
A Food Allergy
Allergies are more serious than intolerances as they can lead to severe reactions that demand instant medical attention. The chances of your child having a proper food allergy are slimmer than you think. Most people that claim to have food allergies actually have intolerances. In severe cases, your child may experience a rash over their face that swells and goes very red. But, mild food allergies could persist without these serious conditions. It’s worth seeing a virtual dermatologist if you’re worried that it could be an allergy, just to get a professional opinion.
Something Completely Unrelated to Food
Sometimes, we see a kid with a rash after eating and we instantly join the dots. However, think about what your child does after they eat. Do they eat and then go out into the garden to play? Do they eat and then spend a lot of time in a dusty area of your home? The rash might be because of something completely unrelated to food, but related to something your child always does after they eat. If they always go out in the garden to play, and you noticed they didn’t get this rash in winter when they couldn’t go outside, there’s a chance they have seasonal allergies or are allergic to a particular plant. So, don’t instantly assume that the rash is food-related – observe what your child does after they eat to see if something else could cause the rash.
If your child’s rash is due to food intolerance or allergy, you need to adjust their diet to stop it from happening. Ensure that you keep feeding them healthy foods, but make some swaps if it will help them avoid the rash. For example, if they get a rash after drinking normal milk, switch to a lactose-free or dairy-free variant and see if the rash goes. There will be a bit of trial and error, but you’ll eventually figure out what causes the rash and what prevents it.
