Allergy FAQs

• My nine month daughter has had allergies to milk and soy. When is it safe to try yogurt due to the allergies? NEW!
  
• I have no known food allergies; however, my husband is allergic to walnuts & pecans. What is your opinion on nuts which I eat potentially triggering allergies to them in my daughter?
• My 6 month old is breast fed and allergic to milk. Must I stop eating and drinking milk and products containing milk?
• I read somewhere that children where less likely to get celiacs if they weren't given any foods with gluten for the first year. Is this true?
• I am allergic to wheat and rice - should avoid introducing these foods until after my daughter's first birthday?
• My baby is developing a rash on his chin, thoat and chest...
• Are these symptoms of a wheat grain or gluten sensitivity?
• How can I tell if my child is having an allergic reaction and if so, what should I do?

My nine month daughter has had allergies to milk and soy. When is it safe to try yogurt due to the allergies? Also, when is a good time to switch from stage 2 to stage 3 foods?

Most children who have a milk allergy early in infancy will no longer react to milk after a year of age. So I would try milk and milk products then. It is interesting, also, that many children allergic to milk do not react when given yogurt or cheese. Apparently, the process of making these items changes the milk proteins so that they are no longer the same as milk.

There is also no one answer to your second question. I recommend starting finger foods at 8-9 months. Remember that gagging is a normal part of learning to eat finger foods. In highly allergic families or if a child has many allergies, I recommend not introducing the more allergic foods (eggs, strawberries, tomatoes, etc.) until the child is over a year of age.
 

I have no known food allergies; however, my husband is allergic to walnuts & pecans. I was advised by a nutritionist to avoid all nuts during my pregnancy (which I did) & I've also been avoiding them while breastfeeding. My 18wk old daughter is solely breastfed. What is your opinion on nuts which I eat potentially triggering allergies to them in my daughter? Should I continue to avoid them as long as I'm breastfeeding? I plan to breastfeed for a year, though I will need to start her on solids in the next couple of weeks. Your thoughts on the subject will be appreciated. Thank you.

We do know that the molecule in peanuts that induces allergy in some people can be present in amniotic fluid and breast milk of mothers who ingest peanuts. We don't know for sure what the significance of this is. Some very bright allergists believe that early exposure to peanuts increases the risk of peanut allergy. They often recommend introducing nuts into a child's diet at 2 or 3 years of age. If this theory is correct, then avoiding nuts in pregnancy and while nursing may also help prevent nut allergy. However, there is very little evidence to support this (one way or the other), and for all I know, nuts in a mom's diet during pregnancy and lactation may actually allow children to become tolerant of nuts.
 

My 6 month old is breast fed and allergic to milk. Our pediatric allergist said I don't need to eliminate milk from my diet. It's my understanding that the milk proteins he is allergic to come though my milk. Must I stop eating and drinking milk and products containing milk? Thank You.

Children who are allergic to cow's milk protein usually show symptoms in the first few weeks of life (gassy, vomiting, fussy, blood in stool). If the only source of cow's milk in the baby's diet is milk ingested by the mother and passed to the infant in the breast milk, then we recommend that the mother eliminate milk and many dairy products from her diet. As the child gets older, he/she often will outgrow this allergy and will be able to have milk in the diet without any problem. If your 6-month-old is extremely allergic to milk, you should avoid it in your own diet. However, I suspect that what your allergist is saying is this: your child is no longer severely allergic to milk. He is outgrowing the allergy. A little cow's milk protein received via breast milk is o.k.
 

: At 19 years of age I was finally dignosed with Celiac Disease and DH. I am currently on a gluten free diet. My daughter is 6 months old and is just now starting foods other than breast milk. I read somewhere that children where less likely to get celiacs if they weren't given any foods with gluten for the first year. Is this true? Also are there any early warning signs that I should be looking for?

Yes, it is felt that delaying the exposure of gluten to children MAY decrease the chance of getting celiac disease. Although I think it is reasonable to delay the exposure of gluten, I would give gluten between 1-2 years of age as I do not believe a child should be off gluten if it is not necessary. The delay of gluten exposure should not be a rule for all infants to follow, but rather only those who are at high risk of developing the disease. If you are curious, a genetic test can be done on your child to see if he/she has the gene that is necessary to have celiac disease. If the gene is present, it does NOT mean your child WILL have celiac disease. Rather, if the gene is NOT present, it is unlikely that your child will have celiac disease. If it is present, then I would draw the celiac antibodies on your child after the age of 2 (unless she/he is symptomatic at an earlier age).
 

I have a 6 month old daughter. We have just started solids. I met briefly with a nutritionist who suggested that because I am allergic to wheat and rice - I should avoid introducing these foods until after my daughter's first birthday. However, I am concerned about the iron issue - and I realize that rice cereal is one of the best sources of iron after 6 months. What should I do? I have terrible allergies and asthma and I would do anything to help my daughter avoid these - what do you suggest?

Many authorities on the subject of allergy recommend waiting until the child is one year of age to avoid the possibility of an allergy. If you are concerned about your daughter's iron intake, this can be provided in an iron supplement, if needed. You can also ask your pediatrician to draw labs to determine the status of her iron stores and to see if she has iron deficiency anemia.
 

My baby seems to be allergic to rice and oatmeal cereal. He develops a rash after every time he eats it. Is there a chance that it is the formula I mix it with that is doing it...? His rash develops under his chin, throat, and upper chest area. Maybe the milk on the skin? Though, he drinks the formula without any problems. Is there another way I can get him enough iron at 5 1/2 mos. old? Thank you.

You are correct to point out the 3 possible causes of this rash. If it's on the chin, neck (in front), and upper chest, the rash is most likely an irritation rash. Probably, your son drools, spits up, or gets formula or cereal over those areas. The wetness and contact of such items with the skin can cause a rash. Try keeping a bib on him and perhaps, change his shirt after meals or when there is wetness there.
 

My daughter is 5 yrs old, and I have done/tried almost everything to help her. She had severe eczema as an infant and now has dry skin that gets blotchy patches on her face when the weather changes. Further, she always complained that her stomach hurt after eating, but when I took her off wheat, she stopped complaining and her stomach is no longer "sticking out" as much. Is it the wheat grain or gluten that she cannot have?

She had a liver enzyme and Candida test recently, and both were negative; however, she is dairy, egg & strawberry sensitive so her diet is now very restrictive, any suggestions?

The issues you are raising are concerning, and you should not be dealing with them yourself. It sounds like you child should be seen by a pediatric gastroenterologist, dermatologist and food allergist to work through your child's issues. As far as gluten is concerned, Celiac Disease can be responsible for abdominal pain as well as a distended abdomen. However, there are many other conditions that can cause the same symptoms. A child should be tested properly for celiac disease rather than experimenting off gluten. The work-up consists of a blood test and an upper endoscopy. Both tests should be done while the child is on gluten for a few months.
 

How can I tell if my child is having an allergic reaction and if so, what should I do?

There are a number of ways a food allergy may manifest itself. Very commonly, a rash (especially hives) develops in the hours after eating a particular item. Other times, the symptoms are primarily intestinal - vomiting, diarrhea. In children with a tendency for dry skin or eczema, there may be a sudden increase in itching and dry patches.

The most serious reactions are fortunately the least common. Swelling of the lips or tongue, wheezing, or shortness of breath indicates a severe reaction.

Many times a child who is being introduced to a new food will develop a rash or will have an upset stomach. Is it from the new food or just a coincidence? In a situation such as this, stop giving the new food and try introducing it again in the future. If the same reaction occurs a second time, it is likely that the food is responsible.

If your child has a reaction that is severe, give an antihistamine such as Benadryl and seek medical advice/attention promptly. Reactions to peanuts and nuts can be especially severe. If you suspect a reaction to peanut products, do not try this food group again. Speak to your pediatrician about skin testing your child.