All you Need to Know About Baby Food Allergies

Baby food allergy refers to the condition wherein the baby’s immune system has an adverse or bad reaction to a certain food component he/ she has consumed. It is like the immune system treats the food the baby is allergic to as an invader and hence launches an attack to protect the body from it.

Studies have shown a rise in the percent of kids ((below the age of 12years) who have food allergies. The prevalence of food allergies in babies/ kids seems to growing at a faster rate in the western world. Further details about the common allergens, symptoms and all that you need to know about the food allergies in babies is given below.

need to know about baby food allergiesMost Common Allergens

There are some food types which are considered the most common allergens when referring to food allergies in children. They are as follows:

  • Eggs
  • Milk
  • Peanuts
  • Some tree nuts like almonds and walnuts etc.
  • Sesame
  • Fish, particularly shellfish
  • Mustard seeds
  • Soy
  • Wheat

Symptoms of Allergies in Babies

Some food allergies in babies are quite easy to spot while others may at times be hard to detect or get a hold of. But there are a few symptoms which may make it easier to conclude that your baby is suffering from food allergies. One additional thing that you can take note of is if the baby has consumed any of the above mentioned common allergens before showing signs of any sort of discomfort. This may help narrow down the allergy. Further symptoms are as follows:

  • An itchy rash around the mouth soon after consumption of certain food
  • Swelling of the face or other body parts
  • Hives of welts
  • Vomiting and itchiness that may be experienced all over the body
  • Nausea and/ or diarrhoea
  • Runny nose, sneezing, blocked nose, teary eyes
  • Constipation or mucus in the stool
  • reflux

If the child shows any combination (or single one) of the symptoms mentioned above, which will appear usually soon after consuming food, it is indicative of the baby having a food allergy.

How to Manage a Food Allergy?

Food allergies cannot be cured but when diagnosed they can be treated and the episodes can be prevented. The diagnosis of food allergies is easy when they are apparent soon after consumption, but in cases where the symptoms belong to the bottom two symptoms listed above, diagnosis may require contemplation and exact history.

Nevertheless once diagnosis is done, the advice is naturally to avoid the food items. But in case of consumption of the food the allergic reaction should be treated immediately with appropriate medicinal treatments.

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