How Common Are Food Allergies?
About 6 percent of babies and toddlers have true food allergies -- defined as an immune system reaction to a food that affects multiple organs, with symptoms that range from itching to difficulty breathing or even life-threatening anaphylactic shock. These allergies are different than food intolerance or sensitivity, which causes less serious issues, ranging from gas and bloating to diarrhea. Science shows that the figure is growing -- food allergies in children are up 18 percent from 1997 to 2007.
While the exact cause for the spike has not been determined, there are many factors thought to contribute to it, including greater awareness by doctors and parents, lower immunity because of decreased exposure to bacteria, and lower exposure to allergens early in a child's life. Infants who have a parent or sibling who has asthma, food allergies or other conditions may be at greater risk.
Ever-Changing Advice
Until recently, it was believed that pregnant women should avoid consuming allergy-causing foods during pregnancy and while breastfeeding and withhold them from a child in the early years to reduce the child’s risk of developing food allergies. Among the foods on the “Do Not Eat” list are wheat, soy, cow’s milk, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts and eggs.
Recent evidence, however, has turned that conventional wisdom on its head. New studies seem to suggest that there may be no reason to avoid these allergenic foods -- avoiding them actually may raise your baby’s risk of allergies.
Breast milk is still believed to be the food source least likely to trigger an allergic reaction in young infants, and experts recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first four to six months of a child’s life. At that age, the introduction of single-ingredient infant foods should begin, with new foods introduced after a period of days, giving caregivers a chance to identify and eliminate potential allergens from a child’s diet.
What About Peanuts?
There have been major increases in peanut allergies in Western countries, and the reason for this spike is not entirely clear. The American Academy of Pediatrics released a series of guidelines in 2000 recommending that peanuts be withheld from children at risk of developing food allergies until they were three years old. However, in 2008, the Academy reversed its position on the matter, stating that there was no conclusive evidence to show that avoiding certain foods beyond the age of four to six months helped prevent allergies. They did not, however, recommend giving young children these foods.
An editorial in The New England Journal of Medicine discussed the outcomes of a study that suggests feeding peanut-containing foods to infants may help prevent many peanut allergies. The results of the study are “so compelling,” and the rise of peanut allergies “so alarming” (especially given that these allergies can be life-threatening, even when exposed to small quantities), that guidelines for peanut introduction in infants should be revised, and soon, the editorial notes.
The research included participants who were four to 11 months old and who had been determined to be high risk for a peanut allergy. The infants were assigned to two groups randomly -- some would be regularly fed food containing peanuts and others were fed food that did not contain peanuts. Their diets continued until the children were five years old. The study concluded that the children who were fed food containing peanuts were “far less likely” to develop a peanut allergy than those who were not.
On Environmental Allergens
Some airborne allergens may trigger symptoms, and it has been advised that taking steps to reduce contact with these airborne allergens may delay or prevent the onset of allergies or asthma. This is especially clear for dust mites, and parents are encouraged to use allergy-safe covers on pillows and mattresses and wash bedding in hot water weekly to avoid the buildup of mites in bedding. When possible, dehumidifiers should be used to keep indoor humidity less than 50 percent.
With regards to animal allergens, research has been conflicting. Some studies suggest that children who spend time around animals early in their life are at greater risk. Now, recent studies show the opposite – that exposure to cats and dogs may reduce risk.
Develop a Plan
While general studies and statistical data may support the introduction of allergy-inducing foods early in life to help prevent an individual from developing a lifelong food allergy, only your obstetrician or pediatrician is qualified to make recommendations based on your child’s unique needs and risks. Share your concerns about potential allergy risks with your healthcare provider and work with him or her to develop a plan regarding the introduction of these potential allergens that will be in the best interest of your child.
If you suspect that your child is developing a food allergy or asthma, eliminate that food from your child’s diet and consult your pediatrician. There are a number of allergy tests that can be performed to identify the source of your child’s reaction and other potential allergic food and environmental items. Once you’ve identified the source of an allergy, your pediatrician or allergist can help devise a treatment plan to manage or potentially eliminate symptoms.