Food allergies and intolerances in babies have become quite common and almost 1 in 12 babies suffer from them. So, it is very essential for mothers to take proper care of their babies regarding food. Your baby can have food allergies if you have a family history of food allergy, hay fever, asthma or eczema.
What is food allergy?
Food allergies in babies occur when their immune system has an adverse reaction to harmless proteins in food and produces antibodies. The immune system responds to the food as toxic. It occurs immediately or after some time of having food.
Symptoms of food allergy:
- Redness on skin and dermatitis
- Nasal congestion
- Itchy eyes and mouth
- Vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps
- Swollen face and eyelids
- Swollen tongue and lips
- Frequent crying and distress
- Persistent cough, difficulty in swallowing, wheezing, shortness of breath and hoarse voice is called anaphylaxis, a severe and life-threatening food allergy
The most common foods that causes allergy in babies are:
- Milk
- Egg
- Peanut
What is food intolerance?
Food intolerance in babies is caused by some substance present in the food they eat. It is not caused by the immune system responding to the food. Often, food intolerance occurs after two days of having the intolerance prone substance in food.
Symptoms of food intolerance:
- Skin redness and dermatitis
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
The most common form of food intolerance that occurs in babies are:
- Milk or lactose intolerance
- Some react to strawberries
- Tomato can also cause food intolerance
Food allergies and intolerances in babies can be controlled in the following ways:
- Avoid the food: It is very important to avoid the food that causes allergies and intolerance in your baby. So, you should be aware of these foods. Carefully read the food labels and see if words like ‘whey’, ‘casein’ etc. are there. Presence of such words means, having the product can lead to allergies.
- Have an emergency plan: Parents should speak to their doctor to give them an emergency plan which will help them to recognise allergies and intolerances and if medical attention is needed or no
Diagnosing food allergies or intolerances
If you find that your baby is having a food allergy or intolerance and not getting better, you should always consult your doctor. If the allergies and intolerances are not mild, they will be cured by taking the prescribed medicines. Some tests may need to be done, as well. As mothers breastfeed their babies, they should not eat the foods that causes allergies and intolerances during the pregnancy and breasting period.
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