When you start introducing solid foods to your baby from around 6 months old, introduce the foods that can trigger allergic reactions one at a time and in very small amounts so that you can spot any reaction. If your baby already has an allergy, such as a diagnosed food allergy or eczema, or if you have a family history of food allergies, eczema, asthma or hay fever, you may need to be particularly careful when introducing foods. Talk to your GP or health visitor first. Eggs, milk, and peanuts are the most common causes of food allergies in children, with wheat, soy, and tree nuts also included. Peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish commonly cause the most severe reactions. Nearly 5 percent of children under the age of five years have food allergies. What causes food allergy? Before having a food allergy reaction, a sensitive child must have been exposed to the food at least once before, or could also be sensitized through breast milk. It is the second time your child eats the food that the allergic symptoms happen. At that time, when IgE antibodies react with the food, histamines are released, which can cause your child to experience hives, asthma, itching in the mouth, trouble breathing, stomach pains, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. What is the difference between food allergy and food intolerance? Food allergy causes an immune system response, causing symptoms in your child that range from uncomfortable to life-threatening. Food intolerance does not affect the immune system, although some symptoms may be the same as in food allergy. What foods most often cause food allergy? Approximately 90 percent of all food allergies are caused by the following eight foods: Milk Eggs Wheat Soy Tree nuts Peanuts Fish Shellfish What are the symptoms of food allergy? Allergic symptoms may begin within minutes to an hour after ingesting the food. The following are the most common symptoms of food allergy. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include: Vomiting Diarrhea Cramps Hives Swelling Eczema Itching or swelling of the lips, tongue, or mouth Itching or tightness in the throat Difficulty breathing Wheezing Lowered blood pressure Allergic reactions usually happen quickly within a few minutes of exposure to an allergen. They can cause: sneezing a runny or blocked nose red, itchy, watery eyes wheezing and coughing a red, itchy rash worsening of asthma or eczema symptoms Milk and soy allergy Allergies to milk and soy are usually seen in infants and young children. Often, these symptoms are unlike the symptoms of other allergies, but, rather, may include the following: Colic (fussy baby) Blood in your child's stool Poor growth Reference: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/food-allergies-in-children#:~:text=Eggs%2C%20milk%2C%20and%20peanuts%20are,five%20years%20have%20food%20allergies. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/weaning-and-feeding/food-allergies-in-babies-and-young-children/
