Food allergies in children: advice you need to know

When you were a child, chances are that your parents were advised not to give you certain foods until you were older. Typically, these would have included peanuts, eggs, shellfish, and wheat. Recently, that advice has been revised. Rather than delaying giving your child foods that may trigger an allergic reaction, you must give them early in the complementary feeding process.

Q&A

Q: I’m breastfeeding and worry that my seven-month-old son might become allergic to some of the foods I’m eating. Should I exclude anything out of my diet?

A: No, there’s no need for you to stop eating any food while you’re breastfeeding to decrease the risk of food allergy for your child. Your diet is important, but you don’t need to restrict anything unless advised by your healthcare provider. Make sure you’re eating a healthy, balanced diet that’s rich in nutrients. Have a look at what to eat when you’re feeding and nourishing yourself nourishes your child as a guide.

Q: I’m allergic to eggs so does that mean my child is too? Should I avoid giving him eggs completely?

A: Although allergies can be passed down from parent to child, it isn’t always the case. Many children with food allergies are not from families with allergies. Check with your healthcare provider about your child’s specific situation. Consider offering your child a small number of cooked eggs to begin with and watch carefully for any reactions. Don’t give him other foods that potentially cause allergic reactions at the same time because if you do notice a reaction, you won’t know which food may have caused it.

Q: Should I stick to a few ‘safe’ favorite foods while my child is young—such as those I have already tried that know he’s not allergic to?

A: Although it’s tempting to offer your healthy child only foods you know he isn’t allergic to, current recommendations are to include foods he may not yet have tried, such as eggs, fish, and foods containing gluten (such as wheat products), and peanuts (ground). It’s important that you offer him a wide variety of complementary foods, including potential allergy- triggering foods. In fact, research has shown that early food exposure may reduce the risk of an allergic reaction. Early introduction and continued feeding of foods known to cause allergies may help your child develop immunologic tolerance, and therefore decrease the chances of allergy. Scientific studies have shown that increasing the diversity of foods after six months of age may decrease his chances of developing asthma and food allergies up to his sixth birthday.

Latest news on peanuts and gluten

Two ingredients are getting a lot of attention, both in the scientific community and in the worldwide media: Peanuts

Due to the fear of a life-threatening reaction, peanut allergy is one food allergy that parents may worry about. Recent research in high-risk young children suggests that peanut allergy may be decreased by introducing foods containing peanuts (ground) early in the complementary feeding process. The latest advice, for healthy children not previously diagnosed with allergies, is to give your child foods containing peanuts from around six months of age, in age-appropriate textures. Remember that any nuts should be crushed, ground, or in a format that won’t put your child at risk of choking. If your child has eczema or another food allergy, the introduction of peanuts into their diet should be supervised by a healthcare professional.

Gluten

Gluten is a protein found in grains such as wheat, barley, and rye, and people can be allergic to the proteins found in these foods. Celiac disease, on the other hand, is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system reacts to gluten and causes damage to the lining of the intestine. Children with family members who have celiac disease may be at greater risk of developing the condition. Current guidelines suggest that foods containing gluten (such as many breads, pasta, and cereals) be introduced when starting complementary foods for all healthy children. Start with small amounts, and offer these first tastes at home, rather than at a restaurant or daycare center, in case of any reaction.

How to spot an allergic reaction

The body reacts to different food allergies in different ways. Some allergic reactions tend to happen immediately, or within one to two hours after the food is eaten.

If your child is allergic to a certain food, he might show some of these signs:

• diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain
• runny nose, coughing, sneezing, wheezing, or breathing problems
• itchy skin or mouth/lips, hives

If you think your child is having an allergic reaction to a food, seek immediate medical attention

References

Du Toit G et al. N Engl J Med 2016; 374(15):1435-43.

Du Toit G et al. N Engl J Med 2015; 372(9):803-13.

Fewtrell M et al.J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2017; 64(1):119-32.

Greer FR, et al. Pediatrics 2008; 121(1):183-91.

Roduit C,et al. Increased food diversity in the first year of life is inversely associated with allergic diseases. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2014; 133(4):1056-64.

Togias A et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2017; 139(1):29-44.

https://celiac.org/celiac-disease/understanding-celiac-disease-2/what-is-celiac-disease/ (Accessed December 18, 2017)

www.worldallergy.org (Accessed December 18, 2017) Last revised: December, 2017