A new study suggests introduction to eggs and peanuts at an early age may help avoid these food allergies for kids.
Back in 2000 the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended babies under the age of 1 not be fed allergenic foods.
The expectation was that food allergies would decline. But, the Centers for Disease Control found they actually increased by roughly 50% over 14 years. Now, new research suggests infants given eggs and peanuts at a certain age may reduce a child’s allergy risk for these foods.
Researchers concluded this after analyzing 146 studies that examined when babies were given food and their risk.
Researchers found that introducing peanuts between 4 and 11 months of age, and eggs between 4 and 6 months of age, were linked to a reduction in the risks of developing these allergies.
The cause of food allergies is unknown and it’s not clear why early exposure to allergenic food lowers one’s risk.
Every 3 minutes a food allergy reaction sends someone to the emergency department. To help get your baby off to a good start, here are my prescriptions:
Partha’s RX
1. Breastfed your baby
It helps strengthen your baby’s immune system.
2. Give single-ingredient foods between 4 -6 months
It’s best to introduce foods at home and not at a daycare or a restaurant.
3. Introduce new foods every 3 -5 days
That way you can identify any new food that may cause an allergic reaction
4. Allergy testing is available and generally safe for children of all ages
If you’re concerned, speak with your pediatrician who can help guide you.
Question: What happens when you’re allergic?
A food allergy happens when your immune system mistakenly identifies a food as something harmful and releases chemicals into your bloodstream. It can cause itchy eyes, rashes, hives and labored breathing. A severe reaction can cause anaphylactic shock which can led to unconsciousness or death if not treated right away.
Question: Can kids outgrow food allergies?
Typically peanut allergies are lifelong. But the majority of children with allergies to eggs, cow’s milk and soy allergies can outgrow them by the time they’re 16 years old.
