Food allergies in babies can be sudden and range from mild to severe. And they're one of us parents' main concerns when weaning.
Nearly 5% of children under the age of five have food allergies.
An allergy is their body's way of protecting them as basically it's the immune system reacting to a food that it has mistaken as harmful.
The reaction usually happens shortly after a food is eaten. But the good news is that most babies usually outgrow food allergies by early childhood as their immune systems develop.
How to recognise a food allergy
- Skin problems
- Hives (red spots that look like mosquito bites)
- Itchy skin rashes (eczema, also called atopic dermatitis)
- Swelling
- Breathing problems
- Sneezing
- Wheezing
- Throat tightness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Circulation symptoms
- Pale skin
- Loss of consciousness
If several areas of the body are affected, the reaction may be severe or even life-threatening. This type of allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis and requires immediate medical attention.
Food intolerances
Some food-related illnesses are called an intolerance rather than an allergy because the immune system is not causing the problem.
A food intolerance is often linked just to the digestive system, tends to come on more slowly and is usually less serious.
Lactose intolerance, a common one in babies, is an example of a food intolerance that is often confused with an allergy. This intolerance is when a baby has trouble digesting milk sugar, called lactose, leading to stomach aches, bloating, and loose stools.
Foods that can cause allergies
Any food can cause a food allergy, but the majority of food allergies are caused by:
- Cow's milk
- Eggs
- Peanuts
- Soy
- Wheat
- Nuts from trees (such as hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachios, pecans, cashews)
- Fish (such as tuna, salmon, cod)
- Shellfish (such as shrimp, lobster)
Peanuts, nuts, and seafood are the most common causes of severe reactions. Allergies also occur to other foods such as meats, fruits, vegetables, grains, and seeds such as sesame.
The good news is that food allergies are often outgrown during early childhood.
Your pediatrician or allergist can perform tests to track your child's food allergies and watch to see if they are going away.
How to reduce the risk of your baby developing allergies
Breastfeeding is the best protection you can offer your baby against allergies.
Treatment for food allergy
There is no medication to prevent food allergy so it's vital to avoid the foods that cause the symptoms.
If you are breastfeeding your child, it is important to avoid these foods in your diet.
For children who have had severe food reactions, your pediatrician may prescribe an emergency kit to deal with severe symptoms.
