Food allergy: how do you know if your baby is affected?

Diarrhea, pimples, vomiting… What if these symptoms were those of an allergy? In the world, one in four children is allergic (all allergies combined). And the children are three times more affected than adults with food allergies! The most common allergens are: eggs, cow’s milk, peanuts, fish and nuts.

Allergic reaction: what are the symptoms (pimple, eczema, edema, etc.)?

In principle, any food can trigger a food allergy. Visible signs of the allergy may not appear until several hours, or even several days after exposure.

Swelling of the lips (or edema) after eating peanuts? It is a clear sign of allergy. But most of the time, it’s more complicated. ” Itching, allergic rhinitis, bloating, diarrhea, asthma … may very well be signs of an allergic reaction », Explains Dr Laurence Plumey, nutritionist practicing at Necker Hospital.

How then can we be sure of the diagnosis? In the smallest, food allergy is most often manifested by atopic dermatitis, that is to say eczema. Next, it is important to spot when these reactions occur. If it’s systematically after consuming a particular food, that’s a good clue.

Can a baby be allergic?

Our infant can be quite allergic. Some food allergies can manifest themselves immediately and acutely upon the introduction of the first bottles of non-breast milk, or else at the start of food diversification, or a little later, by eating a particular food. Our baby will then have different skin, respiratory and digestive reactions:

• Urticaria

• vomiting
• Edema
• Diarrhea
• Discomforts

But our infant can also have delayed manifestations with more diffuse symptoms:

• Colic
• Eczema
• Constipation
• Sleeping troubles

At the slightest suspicion of food allergy, remember to write everything down: nature of the food, baby’s reactions, date and time of the meal and the discomfort.

Cow’s milk protein allergy, very common in newborns

There are five main allergens : egg white, peanuts, cow’s milk proteins, mustard and fish. Before 1 year of age, cow’s milk proteins are most often implicated since milk is the main food consumed. After 1 year, it is mostly the egg white. And between 3 and 6 years old, more often peanuts.

Allergy to cow’s milk proteins therefore plays a major role in children under one year old. The best prevention is breastfeeding during the baby’s first year of life, but if your baby cannot be breastfed or you do not want to, you can turn to infant formula. certified as infant formula by the European Union and often sold in pharmacies, based on proteins other than those from cow’s milk (soya, etc.).

Food allergy: how to relieve baby?

The diagnosis of food allergy is based on an examination of the baby’s eating habits, his personal and family allergic history.

After performing tests by the doctor (patch test for allergy to milk for example) to identify the foods in question, they are removed from the diet. Also, the more precise your information, the more you will help the caregiver in his task. If in doubt, keep the labels of foods recently given to your baby.

Can we prevent baby food allergies?

The best prevention: start, with the validation of your pediatrician, lafood diversificationbetween 4 months and before 6 months. This window of tolerance allows the body to better tolerate the new molecules. These recommendations are valid for all babies, whether or not there is an atopic site. Small precaution: it is better to give a new food at a time to more easily identify possible reactions.

Can a child eat some of the food to which he is allergic?

« If he’sallergic, he is imperative to completely exclude the food (s) in question. Because the intensity of allergic reactions does not depend on the dose ingested. Sometimes a tiny amount can cause anaphylactic shock », Warns Dr Laurence Plumey.

But that’s not all: the allergic reaction can also be triggered by touching or inhaling the food. We therefore avoid eating peanuts next to a child allergic to peanuts. ” And in case of allergy to eggs, it is better not to use cosmetic products that contain them (shampoos, etc.), she warns. Ditto for sweet almond massage oils in case of peanut allergy. On the other hand, your child may be allergic to raw milk, but tolerate it very well when it is baked in cakes. Hence the importance of consult an allergist to make a reliable diagnosis and do not unnecessarily remove certain foods from their menus.

Can you cure your baby of a food allergy?

Good news, some allergies aretransients. In more than 80% of cases, the allergy to cow’s milk proteins heals around 3-4 years. Likewise, allergies to eggs or wheat can resolve spontaneously. But it is also possible to make a desensitization. In practice, very gradually, small increasing amounts of the food causing the allergic reaction are given. The goal : allow the body to tolerate the allergen.

But there is no question of going alone at home: there is always the risk of developing a severe reaction! Reintroduction must be done with an allergist and sometimes even in the hospital.

Are children more and more affected?

Who are responsible for these many allergies that affect children more? There is no 100% sure answer, but changing our Consumption habits is often blamed. We eat more industrial products that contain many allergens (flavor enhancers, thickeners, sweeteners, etc.). Faced with so many novelties, the body of toddlers sometimes has difficulty adapting and risks developing an allergy.

It not remain that genetic plays a key role. For example, a child whose parents are allergic has about a 40% risk of becoming allergic too. If both parents have it, the risk climbs to 60%, or even 80% if they both have the same allergy.

Are cross allergies possible in children?

What is the relationship between milk and soy or between kiwi and birch pollen? These are elements of very different origin but whose biochemical structure is similar. In some cases, the body can react to several allergens. We then speak ofcross allergy. ” For example, a child may be allergic to cow’s milk protein and soy or almond and pistachio », Specifies Dr Laurence Plumey.

There are also more surprising cross allergies like the one that associates fruits and vegetables with tree pollens. Like the cross-allergy between kiwi and birch pollen, or avocado and the latex in toys.

Distinguish food allergy and intolerance

Be careful, it does not confuse food allergies and food intolerances. In the latter case, the child may present:

• Toxic reactions linked to the presence of a contaminant in the food.
• Pseudo-allergic reactions. Some foods reproduce the same symptoms as with allergy.
• Lactose intolerance linked to poor ingestion of milk sugar by the intestine.