What Is Food Allergy
Food allergy occurs when the immune system mistakes a specific protein in a food as harmful. Once a person has a food allergy, an allergic reaction occurs every time they eat that food.
About 7% of babies and young children have food allergy. Children can outgrow some food allergies.
The foods that cause food allergy most often are called common food allergens. They include:
- Milk
- Tree nuts
- Soy
- Seafood
- Wheat
- Sesame
Can You Prevent Your Baby From Getting Food Allergies
The occurrence of food allergies in babies can be reduced or even prevented through some simple steps listed below.
- Control Your Babys Eczema: Keep the inflammation of eczema down and under control. Talk to a paediatric allergist or paediatric dermatologist on how to do so.
- Breastfeed Your Baby: Breastfeeding may curb the chances of allergy since mothers milk is rich in antibodies thereby developing a healthy immune system. Moreover, if a child is given mothers milk, he will not be required to take cows milk or formula milk which is allergenic in nature.
- Avoiding Certain Foods: To be on the safer side, in case you see that your baby becomes fussy when you breastfeed after you have had some particular food, try and avoid eating it, at least till the time your baby feeds on your milk. However, there is no proof that your baby may get allergic because of your food intake.
- High-Risk Allergies: In case you cannot breastfeed your baby due to high-risk allergies, you can give her hypoallergenic formulas. The protein in this formula is broken down into small fragments which help in preventing allergic reactions.
- Avoid Soybean Formulas: Babies with high-risk allergies should not be given soy formulas. Soy protein can also cause allergies in babies.
However, it is advisable to consult a paediatrician before introducing any allergenic food to your baby.
Seasonal Or Respiratory Allergies
Seasonal allergies may occur at any time of the year. They strike when the child gets exposed to environmental allergens including pollen, dust, smoke etc. These can affect around 40% of children .
Causes of seasonal allergies
The causes could vary from one child to another. Some of the basic ones are:
- Pollen from grass and trees and exposure to pesticides and fertilizers could be the causes for seasonal allergies in spring.
- Ragweed and grass are the primary triggers in summer for allergies .
- Pigweed, cocklebur, burning bush, tumbleweed, and lambs-quarters may lead to fall allergies .
- During colder days of winter, children are mostly indoors. Dust, latex in clothing, and mold are the common triggers for seasonal winter allergies .
- Hay fever is a common trigger for seasonal allergy. It could occur in any season. The pollen could be from weeds, grasses, and trees .
- Dust in the atmosphere, such as dust blowing in the sports field, smoke, or pollution smoke from vehicles.
- Dust in carpets, curtains, bedding, comforters.
- Animal fur, bird feathers and stuffed toys with fur. This is specially common in children playing with cats, dogs etc.
- Sometimes, allergic reaction occurs after the use of perfume, talcum powder, burning perfumed incense.
- Insect bites can cause a severe allergic reaction.
Symptoms of seasonal allergies
The following are some of the common symptoms of seasonal allergies:
- Sore throat
- Asthma
Relief From Seasonal Allergies
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Seasonal Allergy Symptoms In Toddlers And Children
Symptoms of seasonal allergies in children can include any combination of the following:;
- Scratchy throat
- Red, irritated eyes
- Wheezing or trouble breathing
If your child is struggling to take a full breath, develops a rash, swelling, or fever, seek medical help immediately. These could be signs of a severe allergic reaction.
Symptoms of seasonal allergies can affect various organ systems, explains Salma Elfaki, MD, Board Certified Pediatrician at Lake Nona Pediatric Center. Some children can have runny nose, cough, itchy nose. Some patients can also develop itchiness and redness and watery discharge from eyes.;
These are fairly common symptoms of allergies, but some children will have a more acute reaction. More severe allergies can cause wheezing and worsening of asthma, Dr. Elfaki says. Some children can also develop skin reactions such as eczema or break out in hives which can be mild or very severe.
Treatment For Food Allergy
There is no medication to prevent food allergy. The goal of treatment is toavoid the foods that cause the symptoms. After seeing your child’s doctorand finding foods to which your child is allergic, it is very important toavoid these foods and other similar foods in that food group. If you arebreastfeeding your child, it is important to avoid foods in your diet towhich your child is allergic. Small amounts of the food allergen may betransmitted to your child through your breast milk and cause a reaction.
It is also important to give vitamins and minerals to your child if he orshe is unable to eat certain foods. Discuss this with your child’s doctor.
For children who have had a severe food reaction, your child’s health careprovider may prescribe an emergency kit that contains epinephrine, whichhelps stop the symptoms of severe reactions. Consult your child’s doctorfor further information.
Some children, under the direction of his or her health care provider, maybe given certain foods again after three to six months to see if he or shehas outgrown the allergy. Many allergies may be short-term in children andthe food may be tolerated after the age of 3 or 4.
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Dining Out With Food Allergies
If your child has one or more food allergies, dining out can be achallenge. However, it is possible to have a healthy and satisfyingdining-out experience; it just takes some preparation and persistence onyour part.
The American Dietetics Association offers these tips for dealing with foodallergies when your family is eating away from home:
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Know what ingredients are in the foods at the restaurant where you plan to eat. When possible, obtain a menu from the restaurant ahead of time and review the menu items.
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Let your server know from the beginning about your child’s food allergy. He or she should know how each dish is prepared and what ingredients are used. Ask about preparation and ingredients before you order. If your server does not know this information or seems unsure of it, ask to speak to the manager or the chef.
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Avoid buffet-style or family-style service, as there may be cross-contamination of foods from using the same utensils for different dishes.
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Avoid fried foods, as the same oil may be used to fry several different foods.
Alternately, there are several types of allergy cards available on theinternet that can be customized with your child’s personal information. Oneexample is the Food Allergy Buddy Dining Card, promoted by the NationalRestaurant Association.
Pay Attention To The Signs
The symptoms of toddler seasonal allergies are:;
- Dark under-eye circles
- Shortness of breath
- Headache
You may also hear seasonal allergies referred to as Hay Fever or allergic rhinitis. Despite its name, there is no fever associated with these seasonal allergies.
If youre having trouble distinguishing between a cold and allergies based on your childs symptoms, there are a few key differences. The common cold is often accompanied by a fever and discolored mucus and doesnt typically affect a childs eyes. Additionally, allergy symptoms start immediately after exposure to a specific allergen and tend to last much longer than the common cold, going on for weeks, or even the duration of an entire season.
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Things To Keep In Mind When Trying To Manage Your Childs Allergies
If allergies are getting the best of your child, the following points might help you understand the process and determine the best course of action.
Lesson #1: Know your opponent
Sneezing, nose and throat itchiness, and eye itchiness plus redness usually signal allergies. Like a cold, allergies produce nasal drainage, but it looks clear and watery. With a cold, mucus drainage is thicker and yellow or green.
Lesson #2: Age matters
Kids between 3 and 5 years old can have seasonal allergies. Indoor allergens, such as dust mites and pet dander, can affect kids as young as 1 or 2 years old.;Adults can outgrow childhood allergies, or they may persist throughout their lifetime.;
Lesson #3: Parents pass it on
Kids often inherit allergies from Mom or Dad. The catch: They arent always allergic to the same things. You inherit the ability to become allergic, not the specific allergen sensitivity.
Lesson #4: OTC medication overview
Over-the-counter medications manage allergy symptoms well for most children. Long-acting, non-sedating antihistamines like loratadine, fexofenadine and cetirizine, come in childrens formulations. They work well for sneezing and itching but do not adequately address stuffiness and drainage. Nasacort®, a nasal spray thats available over the counter, handles all four symptoms well.
Lesson #5: Hone your delivery technique
Even if your child feels better, you can continue to;give them allergy medication or nasal spray throughout;pollen season.
Don’t Skimp On Exercise
Even if your child is feeling a little under the weather because of allergy symptoms, its still good to promote physical activity. “Exercise is a great way to improve overall health and also reduce allergy symptoms,” Stukus explains. “Physical activity improves blood flow, increases breathing rate, and can serve as a wonderful distraction from annoying allergy symptoms.” The boost in circulation may improve the ability of immune system cells to travel throughout the body, according to the Harvard Medical School. However, if your child has outdoor allergies, avoid outdoor exercise on very high pollen days. Opt for fun indoor activities instead.
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How To Prevent An Allergic Reaction To Formula
If your baby is allergic to formula, one of the first things you’ll need to do is change the formula that they are fed. Before you switch, ask your baby’s doctor if they have specific recommendations.
Research has shown that breastfeeding results in fewer allergic reactions. If breastfeeding is not an option, amino acid formulas, soy formulas, and rice hydrolysates can also work for babies with milk allergies.
How To Know If Your Child Has Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergies can be difficult to diagnose because they often manifest in symptoms similar to the common cold such as runny noses, sneezing, coughing, and congestion, or in ways your little one cant express such as irritability, itchy ears and throat, and restlessness. Your child may exhibit just a few or many of these symptoms if they are experiencing allergies.;
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Introducing Allergens Safely With Ready Set Food
Ready, Set, Food! lets your family safely and;easily introduce allergenic foods to your baby. Heres everything you need to know about how Ready, Set, Food! takes safety seriously:
Ready, Set, Food! can help you introduce allergens safely to your baby!
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All health-related content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your own pediatrician in connection with any questions regarding your babys health.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.; If your infant has severe eczema, check with your infants healthcare provider before feeding foods containing ground peanuts.
All health-related content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your own pediatrician in connection with any questions regarding your babys health.
FDA Acknowledges Qualified Health Claim Linking Early Peanut Introduction and Reduced Risk of Developing Peanut Allergy in 2017:
If your infant has severe eczema and/or egg allergy, check with your infants healthcare provider before feeding foods containing ground peanuts.
What Happens In A Food Allergy Reaction
Food allergy reactions can vary from person to person. Sometimes the same person can react differently at different times. So it’s very important to quickly identify and treat food allergy reactions.
Reactions can:
- be very mild and only involve one part of the body, like hives on the skin
- be more severe and involve more than one part of the body
- happen within a few minutes or up to 2 hours after contact with the food
Food allergy reactions can affect any of these four areas of the body:
Sometimes, an allergy can cause a severe reaction called;anaphylaxis, even if a previous reaction was mild. Anaphylaxis might start with some of the same symptoms as a less severe reaction, but can quickly get worse. The person may have trouble breathing or pass out. More than one part of the body might be involved. If it isn’t treated, anaphylaxis can be life-threatening.
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If Antihistamines Work It’s Probably An Allergy
For children over age 1 year, you can use an antihistamine to help determine whether they have colds or allergies. “Try a non-sedating antihistamine. If your child gets no relief within the next day or two, it’s probably a cold virus,” explains Dr. Lee. “However, if symptoms clear up quickly with the antihistamine, your child probably suffers from seasonal allergy symptoms.”
Is My Baby At Increased Risk Of Developing Food Allergy
A baby is at increased risk of developing food allergy if:
- A parent, sister or brother has been diagnosed with an allergic condition like food allergy, eczema, asthma, or hay fever. Allergic conditions tend to run in families.
- They have a diagnosed allergy condition, like another food allergy or eczema.
Talk to your babys health care provider to find out if they are at increased risk of developing food allergy.
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What Should I Do If My Baby Has An Allergic Reaction
If your baby shows any signs of an allergic reaction:
- Immediately stop feeding your baby the allergenic food.;
- Seek medical advice.
If your baby shows signs of a mild to moderate allergic reaction:
- Closely monitor your baby for signs of a severe allergic reaction. After all, a mild to moderate reaction could rapidly develop into anaphylaxis.
- Consult your pediatrician or a health care provider.;
If your baby shows signs of a severe allergic reaction/anaphylaxis:
- Lay baby flat in your arms. Never hold them upright, and do not let them stand or walk.;
- If they have difficulty breathing, sit them up.
- If they are vomiting, or have fainted, lay them on their side.
- Immediately administer epinephrine with an auto-injector if available.
- Keep track of the exact time you used the auto-injector.
- It’s extremely important that your baby receive epinephrine promptly, as epinephrine is the only medication that can stop anaphylaxis.
- Urgently call 911. State that your baby is having an anaphylactic reaction, and ask for an ambulance.;
- If you used an epinephrine auto-injector, let the ambulance staff know when you used it, and give the used auto-injector to the staff.;
If your baby shows signs of anaphylaxis, immediately give epinephrine if available, and call 911.
State that your baby is having an anaphylactic reaction, and ask for an ambulance.
Benadryl or Zyrtec will not stop anaphylaxis. Only epinephrine;can stop anaphylaxis.
Skin Allergies In Children
Skin is the largest organ of the body and it can be affected by allergens .
Causes of skin allergies
Various substances and compounds could trigger an allergic reaction of the skin.
Symptoms of skin allergies
Some of the common signs of skin allergies are :
- Dry or itchy skin
Natural relief from skin allergies
Natural remedies may help treat some skin allergies or provide relief from the symptoms :
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Tips To Relieve Seasonal Allergy Symptoms In Babies And Toddlers
Allergy symptoms are no fun for kids, and if left untreated, they can lead to sinus and ear infections. See an allergist, who can figure out the triggers causing your little ones symptoms and recommend effective and safe treatments.
In the meantime, the best way to relieve sneezing, itching, runny nose and coughing in babies and toddlers is to try to avoid allergens whenever possible.
Here are a few tips to prevent and relieve seasonal allergy symptoms:
Does Your Child Have Allergies
Allergies are symptoms that happen in response to certain triggers, like pollen, cats, or peanuts.
They are caused by the immune system overreacting to a harmless substance, like animal dander or food protein. The immune system mistakes this allergen as a threat, and the response in the body is an allergy..
You might wonder whether your child has an allergy if they have a rash, runny nose, or vomiting, in response to certain triggers. Occasionally, allergies can lead to something more serious, like asthma or anaphylaxis.
Common allergens in children are:
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Pollen and plants
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Chemicals
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Foods, especially peanuts, tree nuts, soybeans, cows milk, fish, wheat, seafood, and sesame
Allergies run in families, but it can be hard to predict when they will happen and even harder sometimes to get a diagnosis.
Childhood allergies can be annoying, uncomfortable, and even dangerous.
This guide is for parents and others who want to know more about allergies that affect children, when they could get dangerous, and how to treat them.
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