Food Allergy Prevention

    Information about food allergies and prevention.

    Updated at November 4th, 2024

    Disclaimer [ENGLISH]

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    DisclaimerThis material is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, nor does it replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or health care professional. Reference to a specific commercial product or service does not imply endorsement or recommendation of that product or service by CPCMG.

     

    Food Allergy Information:

    • Any food may cause an allergic reaction, but over 90% of food allergies in children are
    • caused by these 9 common foods or food groups:  
      • Eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, milk, wheat, sesame, fish, and shellfish.
    • Offering these foods around 6 months of age can help to prevent food allergies.  
    • If you are concerned your baby might have an allergy to certain foods, always discuss your concerns with your child’s primary care provider.

    You can find more information here:

    Introducing allergenic foods in general:  

    • Wait at least one to three days between introducing new foods so that you can tell if a baby has an allergy.
    • If your child has an allergy you might notice:  
      • Rash, vomiting, facial swelling, cough, or diarrhea.  
      • If your child has any of these symptoms after being given a food contact your child’s and primary healthcare provider and avoid the food.  
    • When giving eggs, make sure they are fully cooked (no runny yolk).
    • Try mashing them, giving a boiled egg or scrambling them into small pieces.  
    • Do not offer milk until your child is 12 months old.  
    • Cheese and yogurt can be offered sooner. 

    Introducing peanut:  

    • Research has shown that your child’s risk of having an allergy to peanuts can be reduced if you give your child peanut-based foods as described below.  
    • More information can be found here.
    • First, determine your baby’s risk of peanut allergy:
      • Low risk: no other food allergy or eczema.
      • High risk: your child has a food allergy (such as egg) or severe eczema.  
      • If you have any concerns or questions, contact your child’s primary care provider.  
    • If your baby is at low risk, offer these allergy related foods freely (eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, milk, wheat, sesame, fish, and shellfish).  
    • If your baby is at high risk, discuss offering these allergy-related foods (eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, milk, wheat, sesame, fish, and shellfish) with your child’s primary care provider or allergy specialist.
    • All babies should be introduced to peanuts before 12 months old, and ideally by 6 months old.
    • Tips on introducing peanut:
      • Peanut flour/powder or thinned peanut butter (creamy, with no added ingredients such as sugar/salt/oils).
      • Peanut butter should be thinned out with breastmilk, water, or formula to prevent stickiness.  
      • It can be mixed into purees, cereals, or mashed banana.  
      • Do not offer whole or partial peanuts as they are a choking risk.
      • May start with a small amount, with goal of reaching 1-2 teaspoons peanut butter/powder per serving on a regular basis  
      • Signs of an allergic reaction include hives, swelling, coughing, trouble breathing, vomiting.  
        • If there is more than just a rash, seek medical help, or if you are concerned, call 911. 

    Reviewed by: CPCMG Nutrition Committee, CY M.D., TT D.O. | 10/2024