Signs of Food Allergy in Baby

A baby can have an allergic reaction for numerous reasons. An allergic reaction occurs when the body has a severe response to a usually harmless element, like a soap or a particular food. Babies have sensitive skin, which makes them more likely than adults to have a rash. Even a slight irritation to a baby’s skin is enough to activate signs of food allergy in baby.

How do you know if your child has a Food Allergy?

A food allergy occurs when the body reacts against harmless proteins that originate in foods. The reaction generally happens shortly after food is eaten. Food allergy reactions can fluctuate from mild to severe. Because there are many things that can be jumbled with food allergies, it is important for parents to know the difference.

Food Allergy Signs to Look for in Your Baby

Signs of food allergy in baby frequently appear very soon after the food is eaten within a few minutes to a couple of hours. If you’re leading a new food to your baby, must look for these symptoms:

1. Hives or welts
2. Flushed skin or rash
3. Face, tongue, or lip swelling
4. Vomiting and/or diarrhea
5. Coughing or wheezing
6. Difficulty breathing
7. Loss of consciousness

Severe Signs of Food Allergy in Baby

Severe allergic reactions can be fatal very rapidly. If your baby is facing difficulty while breathing/wheezing, has swelling on her face/lips, or experience severe vomiting or diarrhea after eating, instantly call 911. You can inform your pediatrician later.

Mild Signs of Food Allergy in Baby

If you see mild symptoms, such as hives or a rash, call your pediatrician for further medication. The doctor may refer you to an allergist (allergy specialist doctor), who will ask more questions and do a physical test. Some allergies go away with little or no time. Egg and milk allergies often go away as children get older, but peanut, tree nut, and shellfish allergies tend to be persistent.

Foods that can Cause Food Allergies

Any food can cause signs of food allergy in baby, but most food allergies are caused by the following things:

• Cow milk
• Eggs
• Peanuts
• Soy
• Wheat
• Nuts from trees (such as walnuts, pistachios, pecans, cashews)
• Fish (such as tuna, salmon, cod)
• Shellfish (such as shrimp, lobster)
• Peanuts, nuts, and seafood are the most frequent causes of severe reactions. Allergies might occur to other foods such as meats, fruits, vegetables, grains, and seeds like

The important thing is that food allergies are often outgrown during early childhood. It is estimated that 80% to 90% of egg, milk, wheat, and soy allergies left behind by age 5 years. Some allergies are more persistent. Your pediatrician or allergist can do tests to find out your child’s food allergies and look to see if they are going away.

Prevention

It is not possible to prevent allergic reactions in babies, but there are steps that parents and attendants can take to reduce the risk. These consist:

1. washing the baby’s clothes in hypoallergenic detergent
2. using fragrance-free shampoo, lotions, and soap
3. washing the baby’s bedding in hot water every week to reduce the chance of dust mites
4. vacuuming frequently
5. introducing new foods one at a time

If a baby observes an allergic reaction after breastfeeding, it might be beneficial to keep a food diary to try to avoid the underlying cause. Dairy is a very basic factor, particularly before the infant reaches 1 year in age.

After identifying the allergen, it may help to avoid eating the food while breastfeeding. However, it is best to ask a doctor before making changes to the diet.

Treatment

Not all reactions in babies need treatment. For instance, a mild rash is likely to fade within a few hours and may not trouble the baby at that specific time. The treatment can vary according to the different types of rash or reaction. Generally, the following treatments may help:

• Avoiding triggers: Soaps, detergents, and scented lotions may irritate a baby’s skin, so it may be the best thing to avoid using chemical cleaners and to use hypoallergenic items instead.
• Washing with a fragrance-free cleanser: After using a mild, scent-free soap, pat the baby’s skin dry and avoid rubbing way too hard, as this can also irritate the skin.
• Applying a moisturizer: Using a hypoallergenic moisturizer after a baby’s bath may help to prevent dry skin. Moisturizers also provide protection to the skin from irritants.
• Using 1-percent hydrocortisone cream: Hydrocortisone cream can treat skin rashes relating to eczema or many other allergic reactions. Although it is usually safe to use for infants for short time periods, it is necessary to speak to a doctor first.
• Considering scratch mitts: Scratch mitts prevent a baby from scratching a rash with their fingernails. Too much scratching can adversely affect the skin and lead to an infection.

Takeaway

Allergic reactions and sensitivities are very common in babies because they have such sensitive skin. In most cases, these reactions are mild, and parents or attendants can treat them at home. Identifying the allergen can help you to save your child for future reactions. Most of the babies will grow out of their allergies, but others will instigate new allergies as they get older.

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