How Can I Tell If My Baby Has A Food Allergy?

How Can I Tell If My Baby Has A Food Allergy?

It can be difficult to diagnose whether or not your baby has a food allergy. Around six per cent of babies are truly allergic to certain foodstuffs and many don’t display the signs of allergy until they are around six months old and have built up an exposure to the trigger.

What Causes A Food Allergy?

Babies inherit the genes to be allergic but the specific allergies. For example if you have an allergy to hayfever, there is a thirty per cent chance that your baby will also have some sort of allergy. That probability doubles if both parents are allergic.

It is unlikely that a child will have a severe allergic reaction to a foodstuff the first time they eat it because the body needs exposure to the foodstuff in order to  recognize it as an intruder. The human body is able to tolerate a minimal amount of exposure to an allergen but at a certain point it is unable to tolerate the allergen anymore and this results in a physical reaction."

What Physical Signals Might Indicate That My Baby Is Allergic?

• Eczema (particularly on the kneecaps, elbows and face)
• Itching and swelling of the mouth, lips and tongue
• Skin rash
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Respiratory difficulties
• Watery eyes and runny nose
• Loss of consciousness

What Is A Food Sensitivity?

The term “food sensitivity” is used by allergists to refer to an oral sensitivity that a child may develop to a particular food. Exposure to this food may result in a tingling or burning in the mouth. This may progress to discomfort and  swelling. Obviously, foods that cause sensitivity should be avoided

What Is A Food Intolerance?

The term “food intolerance” is used when a person has trouble digesting a particular food. Each time that person eats the food stuff they suffer from bloating and diarrhoea.

Occasionally babies can suffer from functional lactase deficiency. This means they are unable to completely digest lactose. Speak to your midwife, health visitor of GP if your baby seems to be suffering from lactose deficiency. A complete lactose deficiency is very rare in babies.

Can I Prevent My Baby Developing A Food Allergy?

Allergies are genetically inherited and in this respect there is little you can do to prevent your child developing an allergy. However, there are six food groups that account for ninety per cent of all food allergies. If you expose your baby to these food groups later rather than sooner, (around one year old,) your child is less likely to be susceptible.

The six food groups are:-

• Cows milk
• Eggs
• Wheat
• Peanuts and other nuts
• Soy
• Fish and shellfish

Will My Child’s Allergy Ever Go Away?

Many children grow out of a dairy allergy by the time they are 2 or 3, Allergies to  peanuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, and eggs are likely to last throughout their lives.

Is There A Cure For Food Allergies And Food Intolerances?

The short answer is that there is no cure and so avoidance is the only way to prevent a reaction. This can be difficult as food stuffs can show up in unexpected places. Become vigilant about reading packaging and labels and don’t be afraid to call the manufacturer if you're unsure about a product's ingredients.

Is There Anything I Can Do?

If your baby has been diagnosed with an allergy or intolerance and you are breastfeeding, you will probably need to give up the foodstuff yourself. The proteins that cause the allergy will be passed on in your breast milk.

If you are bottle (formula) feeding a baby with an allergy to cows milk you might try switching to a soy based formula. This does not solve everyones problems. Between five to thirty per cent of babies who have an allergy to cows milk, were also found to be allergic to soy.

What Do I Do If My Baby Is Having An Allergic Reaction?

If you suspect your baby is having a “mild” allergic reaction seek medical advice.

If you suspect that your baby is having a severe allergic reaction phone the emergency services immediately. This includes any respiratory problems, swelling or blocking of the air passages and loss of consciousness.