Everything new parents need to know about allergies in babies

2nd February 2022

Everything new parents need to know about allergies in babies

Being a new parent is sure to bring about a million new questions. You suddenly have a baby to look after and figuring everything out is, frankly, overwhelming. And one area that many parents worry about is allergies – especially food ones.

Around 5% of children under the age of 5 have a food allergy. So the odds of your child having one isn’t out of the question. But what do you do? How do you even know? We know you’ll have burning questions just like these, so let’s jump into an FAQ about allergies in babies.

What causes food allergies in babies?

No one really knows why our bodies suddenly decide to be allergic to something. This means it’s hard to really explain what causes them. What we do know is that babies usually have to be exposed to the food first. For example, they might eat it once and be okay, but react the second time.

NHS advice is to introduce potentially allergen-risky food solely and in small amounts. This allows you to see if there’s any reaction without harming them.

What are the most common food allergies?

There are about nine common categories of food allergies. These are the most common ones you’ll come across:

• Milk
• Eggs
• Wheat (or other foods with gluten)
• Peanuts
• Tree nuts
• Sesame (and other seeds)
• Soy
• Fish
• Shellfish

How can you tell if a baby has a food allergy?

There are some common symptoms you might want to look out for. Food allergies usually happen within a few minutes of ingesting them. Some telltale signs include:

• Sneezing
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Coughing or trouble breathing
• Red rashes
• Worsening of asthma or eczema symptoms
• Anaphylaxis

You can tell when an anaphylactic shock occurs because the baby will have trouble breathing, may lose consciousness, and have a weakened pulse. This is a less likely symptom, but one that can be fatal.

What to do if they’re allergic?

The best advice is talk to your GP/your baby’s doctor and see what they recommend. They might go the route of a specific diet or advise you to stay away from certain foods. They should also be able to help you adjust to these new restrictions.

How do you keep your baby safe?

Follow any advice given to you by your baby’s doctor. At home, you’ll want to remove any food that contains something they’re allergic to. Check ingredients thoroughly as many of them can be in food without you realising.

We have plenty of blogs you can read as well. These will give you some more advice on how to adapt your lifestyle. We have some tips on what you can do, four facts worth knowing, and some advice worth having.

Other than that, maybe consider finding an allergy specialist to help. They’ll be specifically tuned into how best to handle any lifestyle changes. And they’ll more keenly understand your concerns and the appropriate treatment.

If you need an allergy specialist, whether it be for you or your child, get in touch with us. Our experts are always happy to help a parent in need. Register as a new patient here or call us on 02031 433 449.

The three most common food allergies in babies

24th March 2021

The three most common food allergies in babies

Up to 6 percent of children have some kind of food allergy. That might not sound like a lot, but with 12 million children in the UK, that means 720,000 are allergic to one food or another.

It can be a scary time as a parent. You might feel as if you have to keep your eye on your child at all times. There are plenty of things they might be allergic to, but here are the three most common food allergies in babies.

Cow’s milk (CMA)

A cow’s milk allergy affects up to 7% of babies under one-year-old. Though, according to the NHS, most children outgrow it by the time they’re five. This allergy usually develops when cow’s milk is first introduced into the baby’s diet. CMA symptoms include rashes, coughing, and diarrhoea, and in severe cases, it can be life-threatening.

Eggs

Like CMA, children can grow out of egg allergy. Your baby may have allergic reactions to all eggs (no matter how they’re cooked) or only to raw eggs (found in cake mix and mayonnaise). Symptoms include rashes, hives, and congestion.

Peanuts

1 in 50 children have an allergy to peanuts. But there might be good news on the horizon – peanut allergy numbers seem to be dropping. This is based on changes to child diet guidelines and is based on research that says introducing peanuts at a young age can actually reduce the chances they develop an allergy. Though the researchers do stress that more study is needed before we can truly be sure.

Allergens can be found in the most unusual of places. Did you know traces of egg can be found in vaccines for yellow fever and the flu? This is just one of the reasons it’s so important to know if your baby has any allergies. There are a lot of struggles as a new parent; don’t let trying to figure out your baby’s allergies on your own be one of them. Talk to a doctor today about your children.

At Allergy Clinic London, we believe allergies shouldn’t interrupt your life. To get some expert advice, contact us today on 02031 433 449.

Frequently Asked Questions: Allergies in babies

14th August 2019

Frequently Asked Questions: Allergies in babies

Allergies are extremely common worldwide, with figures rising consistently over the past fifty years. As adults, we can tell when something’s not right and get the help we need, but babies can’t do this. Rates of sensitivity in children are approaching around 40% worldwide. 

Babies can’t tell you how they’re feeling. So it’s important you’re aware of all potential allergens and note any changes to your baby.

Could my baby have hay fever?

While you can get hay fever at any age, the likelihood of developing it so young is slim. It tends to begin in childhood or in the teenage years.They haven’t lived long enough to come into contact with pollen year after year, so it’s hard to gauge whether or not it’s hay fever. After all, the symptoms are similar to a cold.

Is it a cold or an allergy?

Allergy symptoms can be similar to a common cold, making them difficult to identify. If your baby has cold-like symptoms, it’s important to pay attention to their duration and what is or isn’t accompanying them.

A common cold will stick around for two weeks or so, whereas allergy symptoms will likely last a bit longer. A fever doesn’t accompany an allergic reaction, so if your baby has one you’ll know it’s a cold. If you suspect they’re experiencing aches and pains, it’ll also be a cold rather than an allergic reaction.

Can I prevent my child from developing a food allergy?

It’s easy to assume that you should avoid feeding your baby common allergens. But, believe it or not, doing this can actually increase your baby’s chance of developing an allergy. 

A 2015 study found that early introduction of peanuts decreased the prevalence of peanut allergies amongst children. Research suggests that – even with children who are at high risk for allergies – you should introduce common allergy-producing foods to your child between 6 and 12 months.

However, it’s not enough to give them peanut paste once and then never again; this is even more likely to encourage an intolerance. Try and give your child these foods regularly. When introducing top allergy-producing foods to your child, always be extra cautious of any changes or symptoms. Find more information here.

It can be difficult to identify allergies in babies because they’re unable to express how they’re feeling. It’s important you keep a note of any contact with potential allergens and watch your baby closely. If you come across anything that looks like cause for concern, go to your doctor, even if it seems minor.

If you want more guidance on allergies in babies, or want to book an allergy test for yourself or your little one, give us a call on 02031 433 499.

Does breastfeeding prevent allergies in babies?

14th May 2018

Does breastfeeding prevent allergies in babies?

When it comes to choosing to breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby, the choice often comes down to what is best for your baby. Every mother wants what is best for their children and each method has its benefits. Those who choose to go down the natural route of breastfeeding might do so due to the amazing benefits it can bring to your child’s health. This is unsurprising as breast milk is the result of thousands of years of evolution. It is specifically designed to create healthy offspring.

You can link breast milk to higher IQ scores in later childhood, a lower chance of obesity, a lower risk of diabetes and some cancers, as well as being the perfect way to bond with your baby. Breast milk also provides your baby with essential antibodies that help build up their immune system. This is why some studies claim breastfeeding lowers your child’s risk of asthma and other allergies. But is this true?

Should you do it?

The rate of growth in people with allergies over the past few decades is astonishing.  Only a generation ago, you may have been hard-pressed to find a child in the class with a food allergy. Now, as much as 40% of children suffer from allergies in the UK.  The reasons for this sharp increase in allergies vary. No one knows for sure why it is happening. But, theories include a lack of exposure to allergens, increased exposure to allergens, changes in diet, or living in environments that are too clean.

Some studies suggest that a lack of breastfeeding results in increased risk of allergies. They argue formula doesn’t provide the same benefits to the immune system as breast milk. Paediatricians from the American Academy of Pediatrics claim that exclusive breastfeeding for at least four months helps protect children at high-risk against milk allergies and eczema. This is in comparison to children who were formula or partially breastfed. Other studies suggest that breastfeeding reduces the occurrence of allergies in children. It is argued to be most effective when the mother ate eggs, peanuts, and shellfish during pregnancy. These findings relate to the theory that exposure to allergens early on can reduce sensitivity to them. This could prevent allergies.

On the other hand

But, evidence also exists to suggest that there is no link between breastfeeding and allergy prevention in children. A Swedish study found that adults who were breastfed had a higher risk of developing hay fever and eczema. Other studies found no significant difference in allergies between breast and bottle-fed children. What this tells us is the evidence to support the idea that breastfeeding prevents allergies is weak at best. Studies supporting breastfeeding for allergy prevention do not show a causal link between the two things, only that they are related. This means that any links found could be due to other factors.

For example, some studies found a link between class and allergies. Higher class individuals had an increased risk of hay fever but a lower risk of asthma. The varying results from studies on the causes and prevention of allergies show a need for further research. From the evidence, we cannot say breastfeeding definitely reduces the risk of allergies. So, when it comes to deciding whether to breastfeed or bottle-feed, weigh up the evidence but, like with vaccines, don’t let the fear of allergies stand in the way of your decision.

If you’re worried that your child has an allergy, book an appointment with one of our consultants today. Our consultants will provide their expert option we have a choice of more than 400 allergy tests in the clinic as well as screening test for 112 allergens; allowing you to take the next steps in reducing your little one’s symptoms.