Preventing Allergies
Although it might be surprising, the American Academic of Pediatrics (AAP) has evidence that common allergies, such as peanuts, can be prevented with the early introduction of foods to an infant’s diet. The two known factors are nutrition can play a role in preventing or minimizing allergies and that children can be predisposed to allergies based on family history.
As such, the AAP suggests that there is no reason to not introduce common allergens in a child’s diet early on, as you would introduce any other food and nutritional source. Early peanut introduction into an infant’s diet, in infant-safe forms after other solid foods are introduced, is also suggested and for further information you can consult the guidelines developed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which is endorsed by the AAP.
Common allergens found in eight major groups of food are responsible for approximately 90% of all food allergies.
- cow milk
- eggs
- fish
- crustacean shellfish
- tree nuts
- peanuts
- wheat
- soybean
General guidelines prompt parents and caretakers to slowly introduce the eight major food groups to the infant’s diet when he/she has already tolerated solid food. The first taste should be at home, and you can gradually increase the intake over a span of three to five days if no reactions occurs.
In addition to the suggestion of introducing foods that are known to have common allergens, the AAP is currently researching the correlation between the prevention of food allergies through the introduction of allergenic foods in the infant’s diet and maternal diet, breastfeeding, and hydrolyzed formulas. So far, the major finding that concerns most mothers is that restricting your diet during pregnancy or when breastfeeding does not seem to be related to preventing allergies in infants. Similarly, according to research, the use of hydrolyzed formula does not prevent allergies, even in infants and children who are at high risk for allergic disease.
Despite the new research findings, and the new dietary suggestions, it is always advisable to consult with your child’s doctor (pediatrician or allergist) about the symptoms of allergies and whether or not your child ought to be tested.
This is especially important if your child has already had an allergic reaction to a food, has a known food allergy, or a positive blood test to foods. If your child has a sibling that has exhibited a peanut allergy, be careful on how you introduce allergens into the diet, as well as if your infant has persistent eczema that does not improve with treatment.
If your infant has moderate to severe eczema which is being treated with prescription medication or an egg allergy, then they are at high risk for other food allergies and testing for peanut allergy should be prioritized, and the introduction of any foods containing peanuts in their diet should be closely monitored, even though this introduction can start taking place as early as four to six months of age.