Food allergy in infants: from diagnosis to prevention

Food allergy in babies is one of the common concerns of parents, which can cause uncomfortable and in severe cases even life-threatening symptoms. ### **Mild to moderate symptoms:** - Hives or skin rash - Redness and itching of the skin (eczema) - Swelling of the face, lips or eyes - Runny nose or sneezing - Vomiting or diarrhea ### **Severe symptoms (anaphylaxis):** Difficulty breathing or wheezing - Swelling of the tongue or throat - Low blood pressure - Lethargy or loss of consciousness **🍼 the most common allergenic food in babies** 1... Cow's milk (the most common cause) 2 .... eggs 3.... soybeans 4 .... wheat 5... Nuts (peanuts, walnuts) 6 .... fish and shellfish ** 🩺 food allergy diagnosis methods ** ### **1.... skin test (prick test)** - Fast and less invasive - The results are determined within 15-20 minutes ### **2... blood test (specific IgE)** - Measurement of allergy antibodies in the blood - Needs a blood draw ### **3... food challenge under the doctor's supervision** - Giving a small amount of suspicious food under the supervision of a doctor - It is done only in a clinic or hospital environment **💊 Treatment of food allergy in babies** ### **Treatment of mild reactions:** - Oral antihistamines (with doctor's prescription) - Topical creams to reduce skin itching ### **Treatment of severe reactions (anaphylaxis):** - Epinephrine injection (EpiPen) - Immediate visit to the emergency room ### **Long-term treatment:** - Eliminating allergenic foods from the diet - In special cases, immunotherapy under expert supervision **🍏 Prevention of food allergy in babies** ### **1... Breastfeeding:** - Breast milk alone up to 6 months - Continue breastfeeding with complementary foods until 2 years old ### **2.... the right time to introduce solid food:** - Starting complementary foods from 6 months - Gradual introduction of allergenic foods (a new ingredient every 3 to 4 days) ### **3.... New prevention methods:** - According to recent research, early (4-6 months) introduction of peanuts to high-risk babies may prevent allergies (doctor should be consulted) **👶 Important tips for parents ** Always read food labels carefully Inform your child's allergy at the kindergarten or caregivers Always carry epinephrine with you in case you need it Consult a nutritionist for diet planning **⚠️ When should we see a doctor?** Observe any signs of anaphylaxis Severe or persistent skin symptoms 🔸 Baby growth problems due to food restriction **📌 conclusion ** Food allergy in babies needs careful attention and management.... With timely diagnosis, proper treatment and preventive measures, serious complications can be avoided... If you suspect food allergy, be sure to consult a pediatrician... **Footnote:** This general information is a limited summary of diagnostic, therapeutic and/or drug information. It is not intended to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or evaluate potential diagnostic and treatment options. This information does not contain all information about conditions, treatments, drugs, side effects or risks that may apply to a particular patient.. Risks or benefits of drugs. does not.... I, Dr.... Mehdi Afshari disclaims any guarantee or responsibility related to this information or its use.... > * Among the medical services provided in the clinic are periodic examinations of children, periodic monitoring of children's growth and physical development, treatment of various infectious, digestive and respiratory diseases in children and adolescents, nutritional counseling, education and periodic care of premature babies, monitoring and treatment of all periodic problems during infancy, periodic mental and physical evaluation of children. > > *special services of Dr. Mehdi Afshari: specialized office circumcision, home visit and online consultation* > > *Practice address: No. 193, South Mehrabad, Southern Air University, Tafarsh East, Tehran > > *Contact number: 021-66602506*