Allergic reactions to food generally occur within two hours of consuming the allergenic food, often just a few minutes. The more allergens that are ingested, the more likely the reaction. Therefore, it is important to slowly start introducing new foods. If first-time foods do not show an allergic reaction, continue to watch for second and subsequent exposures.
If you suspect that your baby is allergic, call 911 immediately.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction vary from baby to baby and can range from mild to severe. Generally, the severity of a reaction is judged by the number of symptoms present and the severity of those symptoms. The following are common symptoms of an allergic reaction
- Mild symptoms of an allergic reaction may be any of the following (more than one would make a more severe reaction):
- Itchy or runny nose
- Sneezing
- Itching in the mouth
- Some isolated hives, mild itching
- Mild nausea or gastrointestinal discomfort
If you notice any of the above symptoms, stop feeding the food and contact your pediatrician. If your child has multiple symptoms, call 911 immediately.
2. More serious or severe symptoms may be any of the following, either alone or in combination:
- Shortness of breath, wheezing, repeated coughing
- Pale or bluish skin Swelling of the face, lips or tongue
- Generalized urticaria of the body
- Repeated vomiting
- Sudden tiredness / lethargy / apparent limp
If your child has any of the above symptoms, call 911 immediately. Do not wait!
How to introduce allergenic foods to babies
The introduction of food allergens doesn’t have to be scary. You can start with a small amount of the allergen initially to minimize possible reactions and gradually increase to larger servings over time. Make an appointment with a child allergist and request a prick test. These results are usually immediately apparent and can help you relax.
There are a total of 8 common food allergens (milk, eggs, peanuts, nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat) and one emerging (sesame). Please note that many of the allergens on this list are also choking hazards. (Nuts, nut butters, shellfish, etc) So be sure to read about how to modify these foods so they are safe for your baby.
Start small – the smaller the amount served, the less severe an allergic reaction can be. Start with lean amounts, e.g. 1/8 teaspoon of a finely ground walnut that is placed in your baby’s oatmeal bowl. If there is no reaction, try increasing the amount gradually to larger amounts over the next few days. Once you’ve ruled out an allergy to this food, try offering it to your baby as often as possible, but at least once a week.
Introduction of allergens at breakfast- Most allergic reactions occur within two hours (and often minutes) of consumption. Introduction of the allergen in the morning allows you to logistically observe your child during the meal. In our opinion, the best time to introduce an allergen is shortly after you wake up in the morning or right after a morning nap. For similar reasons, it is best to introduce allergens at home (rather than in a daycare or restaurant) and at a time when at least one adult can focus their full attention on the baby. (without distraction from other children or household activities) for at least two hours after.
One after the other- When giving food allergens to your baby for the first time, it is advisable to offer them individually. This way you know which food is responsible for a reaction. A daily intake is usually enough to determine whether a food is well tolerated. So don’t be afraid to offer several new foods every week. Pick a comfortable pace that will allow you to introduce a variety of new foods long before your baby’s first birthday.
Regular exposure- If you have safely fed a food allergen to your child, keep that food at regular intervals; Ideally, offer your baby at least once a week. Keep in mind that not all babies with allergies will react on first exposure, so it is important to keep serving sizes small initially until you are sure they are not experiencing an allergic reaction.
What Are Delayed symptoms & FPIES
Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a type of food allergy in children that can be serious and life-threatening. Unlike most allergic reactions (which can occur within minutes), FPIES allergic reactions occur hours after consuming a particular food. FPIES is sometimes referred to as delayed food allergy. The most common food culprits for FPIES are cow’s milk products (such as infant formula), soybeans, oats, and rice, followed by other foods such as bananas, barley, eggs, green beans, peas, meat, poultry, seafood, pumpkin and sweet potatoes. FPIES is extremely rare in exclusively breastfed infants.
The classic representation of FPIES is an infant who recently switched from breast milk to infant formula or started taking solid food and begins to vomit within 1 to 4 hours or suffering from diarrhea 5 and 10 hours after ingesting the offender’s specific food. Other symptoms include low blood pressure, low body temperature, extreme paleness, repeated vomiting, and significant dehydration. Fortunately, most childhood FPIES cases go away completely. If a child is diagnosed with FPIES, they should be closely monitored by an allergist or immunologist.
Source: American Pediatric Association