The parent doesn’t want to see their child suffering through any kind of pain or discomfort. But, most of the children develop allergies related to some substances or the other. It is more common in children or babies from families with a history of allergies. It is impossible for parents to control absolutely everything regarding the things that their child is exposed to eating. Parents should instead focus or monitoring their child for the sign and symptoms rather than the reason that causes it.
A food allergy (R) is an abnormal response or reaction of the body to a certain food. It is quite important to know that this is different than food intolerance, which does not affect the immune system of the baby, although some of the same symptoms may be present.
Early identification of food allergies will improve your child’s quality of life, and can reduce the number of missed school days and help you to avoid sick time or vacation days to take care for your child. In this article, we will focus on the causes, symptoms and the way how to deal with food allergy in babies.
What is Food Allergy in Toddlers?
A food allergy is an abnormal response or reaction of the body to a certain food. It is quite important to know that this is different than food intolerance, as it does not affect the immune system of baby, although some of the same symptoms may be present.
Almost at about 1 in 12 young children suffer from a food allergy. Food allergies occur when the immune system becomes confused and triggers a reaction that leads to the release of a chemical called histamine.
The histamine causes the classic allergy symptoms of hives or swelling in babies. More severe reactions include anaphylaxis, (R) and this may be life-threatening for the babies.
What Causes Food Allergy in Babies?
It is quite difficult to find the exact causes of food allergies in babies. But research suggests the babies develop food allergy from a mix of genetic and environmental influences. Family history is known to play a role behind the food allergies in babies. You’re more likely to have a food allergy if a close family member is prone to any kind of food allergy. If your child has other kinds of allergic reactions such conditions like eczema, asthma, or hayfever, consult a doctor.
Your child may also become more sensitive to a food allergen if they are exposed to it through air or skin contact. Having pets, livestock or siblings in your environment may lower the risk of getting food allergy in babies. The bacteria in your stomach which is known as the microbiome may even have something to do with it.
Before having any food allergy reaction, a sensitive child must have been exposed to the food at least once before or could also be sensitized through breast milk too.
It is the second time when your child eats the food that the allergic symptoms happen. At that time, when IgE antibodies react with the food, histamines are released which can cause (R) hives, asthma, itching in the mouth, trouble breathing, stomach pains, vomiting, and diarrhea to the babies.
Symptoms of Food Allergy in Toddlers:
There are too many baby food allergy symptoms observed in babies. The symptoms vary from mild to severe circumstances. The sign and symptoms of food allergies are as follows:
Symptoms of an Immediate Food Allergy:
Mild to moderate symptoms typically affect the skin, the respiratory system and the gut of the babies.
- A flushed face, hives, a red and itchy rash around the mouth, tongue or eyes. It spread across the entire body.
- Mild swelling, that affects area like of the lips, eyes, and face.
- A runny or blocked nose, sneezing, and watering eyes.
- Nausea and vomiting, tummy cramps and diarrhea.
- A scratchy or itchy mouth and throat.
Severe symptoms (anaphylaxis). These require urgent medical attention and refer to the doctor.
- Wheezing or chest tightness, similar to a severe asthma attack.
- Swelling of the tongue and throat, restricting the airways. This can cause noisy breathing a cough or a change in voice
- A sudden drop in blood pressure (called hypotension) leading to shock.
- Dizziness, confusion, collapse, loss of consciousness and sometimes coma.
Symptoms of Delayed Food Allergy:
- Eczema
- Reflux – an effortless vomiting
- Poor growth
- Swelling in the small bowel
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Raising knees to chest with tummy pain
- Frequent distress and crying
Food that Causes Food Allergies in Babies:
Any food could cause a food allergy, but most food allergies are caused by the following: for further more information regarding the food (R) that cause allergy in babies can be checked on
- Cow milk
- Eggs
- Peanuts
- Soy
- Wheat
- Nuts from trees such as 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 to food allergy in babies. 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 by the early childhood period. It is estimated that 80% to 90% of egg, milk, wheat, and soy allergies go away by the age of 5 years. Some allergies are more persistent. For example, 1 in 5 young children will outgrow a peanut allergy and fewer will outgrow allergies to nuts or other seafood. Your child doctor will be able to figure out the things that lead to cause the food allergy in babies.
Baby Food Allergy Treatment:
There is particular no medication to prevent food allergy. The goal of treatment is to avoid the foods that cause the symptoms that lead to food allergy. After consulting your child’s doctor and finding the foods to which your child is allergic, it is very important to avoid these foods and other similar foods. Small amounts of the food allergen may be transmitted to your child through your breast milk while feeding and cause a reaction or allergy.
It is also important to give appropriate food that is rich in vitamins and minerals that a child will be unable to eat certain foods. If not, then refer to your child’s doctor to find a solution for it.
For children who have had a severe food reaction, then your child’s health care provider may prescribe an emergency kit that contains epinephrine, which helps stop the symptoms of severe reactions and allergy response.
The health care provider can help you by giving certain foods again after three to six months to see the changes whether the allergy is affecting or not. Most of the allergies may be short-term in children and the food may be tolerated after the age of 3 or 4.
Finally, we don’t have any evidence about when the babies develop food allergy in their body. So, let the baby build up the resistance slowly. Just introduce your baby to solids after 6 months of age and observe the baby for that day and then expose them with other items.
