BABY AND FOOD ALLERGIES

It is estimated 2 - 5 percent of children suffer from food allergies in which the immune system reacts to a particular food as an intruder. When the child eats an offending food the body releases antibodies that cause reactions such as skin rashes and diarrhea.

There are two types of allergic reactions to food. The first is immediate, As soon as the food goes into the mouth, the throat swells and the eyes may water, and your child may sneeze or have an itchy tongue. In rare cases, a food will cause anaphylactic shock. Within minutes of eating, the child's throat swells and goes into spasm, hindering breathing.

The second type of reaction takes a few days to show up. Usually the allergy produces facial rashes such as hives or gastrointestinal symptoms including bloating, gas, and diarrhea. Pediatricians advise introducing the least allergenic foods, fruits, vegetables and cereal first, and waiting until the child is at least 18 months old to offer the most allergenic foods such as eggs and peanut butter. If you have a family history of food allergies or your partner does, the likelihood that your child will have allergies may double. Most children tend to outgrow food allergies by age 3.



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