Nearly 6 million American children have food allergies, some life-threatening. Keeping them safe after diagnosis can be a very serious challenge.

In a new study published in the journal Pediatrics, researchers tracked 512 pre-school aged children who were diagnosed with or were at risk for having an allergy to milk or eggs. Three hundred sixty-seven participants reported 1,171 reactions over an average three year period. The majority of these were accidental.

Many of the families struggled with checking the ingredients on food labels in their own homes. They sometimes misread labels or weren't always vigilant enough in supervising children or preparing food safely.

About one in 10 families actually allowed their kids to try offending foods to see if they had outgrown their allergy. More than half of the allergic reactions happened when the child was under someone else's care, either extended family, teachers or at a friend's.

Only about 30% of severe reactions were treated with the standard epinephrine injections, pointing out the need to educate families and other caretakers on when an epi-pen should be used.

The study's authors suggest improved education for both family and friends, as well as persistent vigilance with label reading and treatment of severe reactions.