Recognizing Food Allergies in Babies

One major step in your baby's development is the transition from nursing or bottle feeding to solid foods. It is during this time that food allergies can really change your baby's world. It is possible for children to have food allergy symptoms but not really a food allergy, but keep in mind six percent of young children and up to four percent of adults in the USA have at least one food allergy.

If you understand how allergies work, you may be able to recognize the early signs of allergy. It is important to know how to spot these symptoms, and also what to do about the symptoms should they arise. A food allergy is basically a case of the human body treating food as if it were an invader or threatening parasite. It launches an all out attack by the immune system. Sometimes the body will manufacture an antibody that can detect the food. If the baby eats the food again, his or her immune system will release substances, like histamine, to fight the "invader." These substances are the cause of allergy symptoms. Symptoms of allergies can be mild or severe.

Allergy symptoms can manifest in several different ways. Examples of allergy symptoms are hives, swelling and trouble breathing. Usually these symptoms show up within two hours of eating a specific food. If your baby has a severe allergic reaction, it may even be life threatening. Symptoms such as eczema, gastroentestinal problems and diarrhea can be chronic.

Bear in mind that your baby can develop a food allergy even if he or she has eaten the food before and not had any problem. If he or she has inherited the tendency to be allergic to, for example, fish, he or she may have no reaction the first few times he or she has fish to eat. Your baby will show symptoms eventually. Early exposures to the ingredient may have come when the ingredient was combined with something else. For example, nuts can be barely detectable in a cookie.

There are eight food groups which are responsible for ninety percent of all food allergies, and it is possible to be allergic to just about anything. These are eggs, milk, peanuts, wheat, soy, tree nuts (walnuts, pine nuts, brazil nuts and cashews) fish, and shellfish.

You should call 911 or your local emergency number immediately if your baby seems to be having breathing trouble or experiencing swollen face or lips. Severe allergic reactions must be dealt with right away, as your baby's airways may close if you don't do something immediately.

If your baby consistently shows symptoms after consuming a certain food, usually within the first two hours, talk to his or her doctor. You are the best and final authority on your child and his or her behaviour.