What Causes Food Allergies In Babies

Causes Of Food Allergies

• 8 foods cause 90% of food allergies
• In the first year of life: cow’s milk, soy milk and egg
• Older children: peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish and wheat
• Shellfish include shrimp, crab, lobster, clams, oysters and scallops
• Tree nuts include all the nuts except peanuts.
• Of children with a proven food allergy, 40% have severe reactions. The other 60% have mild reactions.
• Peanuts and tree nuts are the most common triggers for severe reactions.

Causes Of Food Allergies In Kids

Food allergies are the result of the bodys immune system defending it against a food substance that has been wrongly perceived to be a threat. These allergies are more common in children than in adults. The causes of such allergies are largely unknown. Parents should always keep a watch for signs of food allergies in children.

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It’s estimated that food allergies affect up to 6 percent of children aged 0-2 years, according to The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology . For these kids, eating certain foods triggers an immune system overreaction that can cause anything from chronic itching and eczema to sudden difficulty breathing and even life-threatening anaphylactic shock.

The problem is growingthe incidence of food allergies increased 50 percent between 1997 and 2011. Scientists aren’t sure why, but theories include greater awareness among parents and doctors, lower immunity because of less exposure to bacteria, and lack of exposure to common allergens early in life.

Heres everything you need to know about food allergies in babies.

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How Is Food Allergy Treated In A Child

There is currently no medicine to prevent food allergy in children. The goal of treatment is to stay away from the foods that cause the symptoms. It’s very important that your child not eat these foods or other similar foods in that food group. If you are breastfeeding your child, talk to your child’s allergist about whether or not you need to stay away from these foods too.

It may be important to give vitamins to your child if they can’t eat certain foods. Discuss this with your childs healthcare provider.

Children with food allergies who are at risk of a severe reaction should carry 2 epinephrine autoinjectors at all times. This medicine helps stop the symptoms of severe reactions. Your child’s healthcare provider can teach you how to use it.

Some children may outgrow their allergies. Your child’s healthcare provider will discuss follow-up testing or food challenges with you. Many allergies may be short-term in children. Your child may be able to eat the food after age 3 or 4. Reintroduce a food only after discussing it with your child’s healthcare provider. This is because of the risk of a severe reaction.

If your baby is allergic to milk, treatment may include changing your babys formula to a soy formula. If your child has problems with soy formula, your childs healthcare provider might suggest an easily digested hypoallergenic formula.

Dealing With Mild Food Allergies In Baby

If you see mild symptoms, such as hives or a rash, contact your pediatrician for further evaluation. The doctor might refer you to an allergist , who will ask more questions and do a physical exam. The allergies may order diagnostic tests such as:

• A skin test. This test involves placing liquid extracts of food allergens on your child’s forearm or back, pricking the skin, and waiting to see if reddish raised spots form within 15 minutes. A positive test to a food only shows that your child might be sensitive to that food.
• Blood tests to check the blood for IgE antibodies to specific foods

Remember, just because a babyâs initial allergic reaction to a new food may be mild, it may get worse upon following exposures. Talk to your pediatrician about any food allergy symptoms in your baby.

Some allergies go away with time. Egg and milk allergies often go away as children get older, but peanut, tree nut, and shellfish allergies tend to persist. That said, research shows that in the case of peanut allergies, peanut immunotherapy drops administered under the tongue are safe and effective as treatment for peanut allergy, even in children as young as 1. They were also found to help significantly desensitize the patients to peanuts.

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Fight Food Allergies With Early Introduction

This is why its so important for parents to start feeding infants a diverse diet, including potential allergens, as early as 4-6 months and keep those foods in their diet every single day!

The Bottom Line: While there are many risk factors to consider, feeding your baby a diverse diet in the first year of life is associated with a lower risk of food allergies overall.

Who Is At Risk Of Getting Allergies

Allergies are widespread, and every child is prone to them at some point in their childhood. But, experts have concluded that genes play a significant role in determining whether babies risk getting allergies.

• If both parents are sensitive to allergies, the baby is at 70% risk of catching the allergy.
• If any one of the parents is allergic, the risk is reduced to 33%.

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Seek Medical Attention For Serious Symptoms

If your baby is acting normally but has a mild rash or some hives, you could give your baby an antihistamine. Diphenhydramine can provide comfort, but second-generation antihistamines like cetirizine and loratadine last longer and are less likely to make your baby sleepy, Dr. Tam says.

If your baby is vomiting, coughing, having difficulty swallowing , or acting very sleepy, seek immediate medical attention. Try to get a doctor on the phone or go to the emergency department, Dr. Tam says.

Mild Signs And Symptoms Of Food Allergy

Food allergies can cause a lot of symptoms. If a child is too young to tell you whats going on, you may not know about some of them at all.

Other symptoms may be noticeable but have plenty of other potential causes, making them easy to chalk them up to something else entirely.

The key is to take note of what symptoms tend to happen together and whether they come on soon after eating.

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Advised To Prevent Or Lessen Allergies

Food Allergy Some food allergens, including cows milk protein, peanuts, and eggs, can come from breast milk. It has been recommended that nursing women avoid these to prevent allergies.

There is no convincing data that mothers avoiding anything while nursing prevents food allergies in the long run.

If a food allergy in the baby already exists, the mothers avoiding that food while nursing is helpful.

For formula-fed babies, a hydrolyzed formula may help prevent some food allergies.

How To Protect Your Baby From Food Allergies

Since the exact cause of food allergies is unknown and possibly genetic, it isnt entirely possible to prevent them. The latest research and recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics provides the following information for parents looking to reduce the risk of food allergies and eczema in their children.

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Allergy Risk Facts And Factors For Children

Most children with food allergy dont have parents with food allergy. But if a childs parents have a food allergy or other allergy problems like asthma, eczema or hay fever, the child has an increased risk of food allergies.

Babies with severe eczema in the first few months of life are at an increased risk of developing food allergy.

Early Introduction Of Allergens Especially Peanut

There is currently no evidence to support delaying the introduction of the top allergens to prevent food allergies. In fact, it is recommended for most families to introduce them early, around 4 to 6 months. Research has found early introduction of peanuts helps prevent and reduce the risk of allergy in high-risk children.

If you have a family history of food allergies or other risk factors, its best to talk with your pediatrician first.

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What Causes Food Allergies In Children

A strong family history of food allergies increases the chance of food allergies in a child, suggesting that there is a genetic component involved. Certain environmental factors may also play a role, including delayed introduction of solid foods into the childs diet. This is why the introduction of foods, including so-called allergenic foods like eggs and peanuts, should not be delayed beyond 4 to 6 months of age.

Symptoms To Look Out For In Babies

Some symptoms of immediate reactions to allergies include nettle rash around the mouth, nose and eyes, swelling of lips, tongue, eyes and face, runny or blocked nose, itchy mouth and irritated throat, nausea, vomiting, blood in stool and diarrhoea. A condition called anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock is the most life-threatening and serious allergic reaction, where an overproduction of certain body chemicals lowers the blood pressure and narrows airways, making it difficult to breathe. Anaphylaxis is rare in babies and is almost always a result of an allergy to the protein in cows milk.

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Introducing Solid Foods To Babies And Watching For Allergic Reactions

• Is able to sit up
• Has sufficient head and neck control
• Loses the tongue-thrust reflex that pushes food back out
• Tries to reach out to grab food

Timing of certain foods should also be considered when introducing solid foods to your baby. Try introducing these single ingredient infant foods to your baby one at a time, every 3 to 5 days:

• Rice or oat cereal
• Yellow and orange vegetables
• Green vegetables
• Age-appropriate stage-based foods with meats

Diagnosis And Treatment Of Food Allergies

If you suspect that your baby is allergic to a certain food, you should pay a visit to your doctor or health professional before feeding her the trigger food again. Your doctor will advise on the most appropriate way to diagnose and treat the allergy.

Check your babys symptoms with our Baby Symptom Checker tool.

References:

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How Do You Treat An Allergic Reaction In Babies And Toddlers

No matter how hard you try, it can be virtually impossible to control everything that goes into your baby or toddler’s mouth. That’s why if he does have a food allergy, check in with your pediatrician about possible remedies.

Its possible that he or she may recommend having childrens antihistamines on hand, although this medicine is not for children younger than 2 years of age and only then with approval from the doctor. Never give your child any medication without checking in first with your childs doctor.

If your little one is prone to severe reactions, your pediatrician will give you a prescription for a pre-filled syringe with epinephrine .

A lower-dose epinephrine autoinjector with a shorter needle is available specifically for infants and toddlers weighing 16.5 to 33 pounds.

Make sure you and any of your baby or toddlers other caretakers always know where the injector is and how to use it. And if you ever do need to use it, take your child to the emergency room for follow-up right away, because allergy symptoms can return.

What Is Considered Normal For Baby Poop

Your babys age and what they are consuming will determine what kind of poop is normal for them.

The first bowel movement of newborns consists of meconium. Meconium contains the digested products of the amniotic fluid they have been ingesting while in the womb. Meconium may be brown, green, or yellow in color.

As the baby grows and begins to consume food, their poop changes. Breastfed babies may have mustard yellow poop, while babies who drink formula may have yellow-tan or greenish poop. Both will be liquid stool until the baby begins eating solid food.

When you add solid food to your babys diet, their poop will become more formed. It will take on a hue and consistency closer to what is considered a usual stool for children and adults.

If your babys poop is white, red, or black, contact your babys doctor.

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Causes Of Allergies In Babies

Although allergies are common, there are a few common causes that contribute to the occurrence of an allergic reaction in babies. Based on your family history, there is a possibility of shielding your baby from that particular allergen.

Here is the list of most common allergens that can potentially cause allergies in babies.

• Seasonal changes

Milk And Soy Allergies:

Allergies to milk and soy are usually seen in infants and young children. Often, these symptoms are unlike the symptoms of other allergies, but, rather, may include the following:

• blood in your child’s stool

Often, your child’s physician will change your baby’s formula to a soy formula or breast milk if it is thought he/she is allergic to milk. If your child has problems with soy formula, your child’s physician might change him/her to an easily digested hypoallergenic formula.

The symptoms of a milk or soy allergy may resemble other problems or medical conditions. Always consult your child’s physician for a diagnosis.

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What Symptoms Can Food Allergies Cause

Symptoms range from mild to severe and can include:

• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Failure to grow or put on weight
• Coughing or wheezing
• Anaphylactic shock.

Do food allergies run in families? Allergies are more prevalent in some families so food allergies can be familial, but this is not always the case. Is diarrhea always the result of a food allergy?

No. Although diarrhea can result from a food allergy, it isnt a common cause. Diarrhea can also affect the form or texture of a food item rather than the ingredient itself.

This happens with many foods, especially corn and whole-wheat bread. Leave the suspect food out of your babys diet for a few days if diarrhea resolves, you can always try again, but mash or sieve the food more finely next time.

Introducing Foods That Could Trigger Allergy

When you start introducing solid foods to your baby from around 6 months old, introduce the foods that can trigger allergic reactions one at a time and in very small amounts so that you can spot any reaction.

If your baby already has an allergy, such as a diagnosed food allergy or eczema, or if you have a family history of food allergies, eczema, asthma or hay fever, you may need to be particularly careful when introducing foods. Talk to your GP or health visitor first.

Foods that can trigger an allergic reaction are:

• foods that contain gluten, including wheat, barley and rye
• nuts and peanuts

These foods can be introduced from around 6 months as part of your baby’s diet, just like any other foods.

Once introduced and if tolerated, these foods should become part of your baby’s usual diet to minimise the risk of allergy.

Evidence has shown that delaying the introduction of peanut and hen’s eggs beyond 6 to 12 months may increase the risk of developing an allergy to these foods.

Lots of children outgrow their allergies to milk or eggs, but a peanut allergy is generally lifelong.

If your child has a food allergy, read food labels carefully. Avoid foods if you’re not sure whether they contain the food your child is allergic to.

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Protecting Baby Against Food Allergies: Easy Does It

In a reversal of earlier policy, the American Academy of Pediatrics is now recommending that potential allergens be introduced to your infant earlier rather than later. In doing so, the move may actually help prevent them from developing allergies to those foods.

Breastfeeding you baby for 4-6 months is the best way to prevent a milk allergy. Remember that breast milk or formula is higher in nutrition. When you begin to introduce whole milk, you should do so under a doctorâs supervision. Yogurt and soft cheeses are fine, because the proteins in these dairy products are broken down and less likely to cause tummy trouble.

The AAP now advises that, in the case of infants who are at high risk of allergies, peanuts should be introduced between 4-6 months. Infants at highest risk of developing peanut allergies are those with eczema or egg allergies or both. It was originally believed that introducing your baby to the foods when they are older might make any reactions more manageable.

Other potential allergens such as tree nuts and fish should be introduced over a period of time as you introduce your baby to solid foods, between 6 and 9 months

You should wait until at least age 1 to introduce honey, which can cause a potentially serious disease called infant botulism. Ask your pediatrician for guidance.

What To Do If You See These Baby Food Allergy Symptoms

• Contact a healthcare professional as soon as you think something’s wrong.
• Once the diagnosis of a food allergy or food intolerance is confirmed, discuss how to manage your baby’s diet to make sure they still get all the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development.
• Many babies outgrow their food allergies and food intolerances in early childhood.
• Visit Allergy UK for find more tips on dealing with food allergies.

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Food Allergies In Children

No parent wants to see their child suffer. Since fatal and near-fatal food allergy reactions can occur at school or other places outside the home, parents of a child with food allergies need to make sure that their childs school has a written emergency action plan. The plan should provide instructions on preventing, recognizing and managing food allergies and should be available in the school and during activities such as sporting events and field trips. If your child has been prescribed an auto-injector, be sure that you and those responsible for supervising your child understand how to use it.

In November 2013, President Barack Obama signed into law the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act , which encourages states to adopt laws requiring schools to have epinephrine auto-injectors on hand. As of late 2014, dozens of states had passed laws that either require schools to have a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors for general use or allow school districts the option of providing a supply of epinephrine. Many of these laws are new, and it is uncertain how well they are being implemented. As a result, ACAAI still recommends that providers caring for food-allergic children in states with such laws maintain at least two units of epinephrine per allergic child attending the school.