What Are Food Allergies And When Do They Occur?
Food allergies are reactions that occur when the body recognizes a foreign substance. Food allergies are likely to occur to your baby during weaning since you are introducing different food substances to them at this time. However, these food allergies may differ among different children and may even fail to appear in others. In case the baby is from a family with a history of food allergies, then they are likely to have food allergies too.
It is possible, however, to avoid exposing your child to cases of food allergies by identifying some of the foods that commonly trigger allergies and preventing them. Some of these foods that are prone to causing food allergies are such as:
- Eggs
- Wheat
- Soya
- Cow milk and other dairy products
- Fish
- Sesame seeds
- Nuts
In case you intend to introduce any of these foods, first ensure that your baby is above six months old. Additionally, it is advisable to start weaning with low-allergy foods such as fruits and vegetables, and you can later advance to other foods as the baby grows older.
Spotting Signs of an Allergy
There are of two major types of allergies. These are:
Immediate allergies – These are easy to spot and recognize. For instances, you may realize conditions such as rash, vomiting, hives and swelling within minutes after eating a certain food.
Delayed allergies. These are mostly accompanied by characteristics such as colic, diarrhoea, or coughing. In case you realize any of these with your baby, it is important to consult your doctor before it is too late. You should also keep off the food that you believe could have caused the reaction.
Do not ignore allergic reactions
See a doctor immediately you notice your baby showing symptoms of an allergy. This is especially if they have trouble breathing or are wheezing..
As a preventive measure, keep off foods whose ingredients you’re not sure of. Some of them may contain substances that could cause allergic reactions to your weaning baby. By being more careful, it is possible to walk your child through the weaning period allergy free.
Disclaimers:
#Please note that development differs from one child to another.
#Content intended for educational purposes only, and should not be substituted for medical advice from your doctor.
Last reviewed January 2019
Sources: annabelkarmel, madeformums, livingandloving, hipp
