According to Dr. Archana Dhawan Bajaj, gynecologist and IVF specialist (India), childhood allergies are a concern for many parents because they can affect daily life and require long-term care. Although allergies cannot be completely prevented, early exposure to allergens can help reduce the risk of developing allergies, especially peanut allergies.
Childhood allergies are a concern for many parents because they can affect daily life and require long-term care. Although allergies cannot be completely prevented, exposing children to certain allergens early on can help reduce the risk of developing allergies later in life, especially peanut allergies.
Childhood allergies and early exposure to allergens
Allergies occur when a child’s immune system overreacts to harmless substances, such as certain foods. Common allergens in babies include milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, and wheat. Some children outgrow allergies, but others have allergies for life.
Dr. Archana Dhawan Bajaj says allergies are unpredictable, but when children are exposed to allergenic foods early, the risk of developing allergies can be reduced.
According to a groundbreaking study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, introducing peanuts early in life can reduce the risk of peanut allergies by up to 81 percent, especially in high-risk children such as those with eczema or a family history of allergies.
How to safely expose children to allergens?
Early exposure to allergens requires caution, especially if your child is at high risk, such as having eczema or having a sibling with allergies. Here are some guidelines for introducing allergenic foods to your child:
Start with hypoallergenic foods: Feed your baby easily digestible foods like rice cereal, mashed fruits and vegetables first, then gradually introduce more allergenic foods like eggs, milk, peanuts.
Avoid combining multiple foods: If multiple foods are combined, it is difficult to determine the cause if there is an allergic reaction.
Choose the right foods: Make sure foods are prepared properly to avoid choking. For example, give your child diluted peanut butter instead of whole peanuts.
Try at home and repeat often: Start trying in the morning at home and repeat often to help your child build up tolerance.
Symptoms to watch out for
Allergic reactions can occur within minutes to two hours of exposure. Mild symptoms such as hives, facial swelling, mouth itching, or stomach pain may occur. If a severe reaction occurs, such as difficulty breathing, tightness in the throat, or swelling of the tongue, seek immediate medical attention.
Managing allergies in children
If your child shows signs of an allergy, take him or her to the doctor for advice and treatment. Managing allergies may require changes to the family’s diet and lifestyle. Although early exposure can reduce the risk of allergies, parents still need to monitor their child’s condition and consult their doctor regularly.
