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Allergies and Asthma

Dealing with a baby's allergiesManage your little one's food allergy If your child has a food allergy, don't panic. Most allergies can be outgrown. A food allergy usually develops in around one in 20 children, with the most common triggers being eggs, cow's milk, peanuts, tree nuts, seafood, sesame, soy, fish and wheat. Peanut, tree nut, seed, and seafood allergies, however, are usually for life. How do allergies start? A food allergy is classified as an immune system response. If a person is allergic to a food substance, the immune system "reacts" by creating an antibody to fight it. If it's a severe food allergy, the reaction could be life-threatening. Common signs of a food allergy: •    Itchy throat and tongue. •    Itchy skin or rash. •    Swollen lips and throat. •    Diarrhoea and/or vomiting. •    Runny or blocked nose. "Babies tend to be most allergic to the foods they have been offered first. While a baby is exclusively breastfed, he is only exposed to the foods his mother eats and secretes in her milk, so his exposure to potential allergens is minimised," says the International La Leche League. Results from a long-term study of breastfed children showed that breastfeeding reduces food allergies at least through adolescence. "Protection from allergies is one of the most important benefits of breastfeeding. The incidence of cow's milk allergies is up to seven times greater in babies who are fed artificial baby milk instead of human milk." Further information from La Leche reveals that cow's milk is the most common trigger for an allergic reaction. "There are more than 20 substances in cow's milk that are human allergens. Colic and vomiting are often caused by cow's milk allergy. Eczema: dry, rough, red skin patches which can progress to open, weeping sores, is another common symptom among children allergic to cow's milk. Cow's milk has been found to cause sleeplessness in infants and toddlers." So, what is food intolerance? Food intolerance is a digestive system response where the food that cannot be "tolerated" irritates the digestive system and the person is unable to digest or break down the food. Tips: 1.    Be diligent about checking food labels for allergens. You will continually have to do this as your child grows and eats different foods. 2.    When it comes to birthday parties and playdates, try to find out the menu beforehand and check for potential allergens. For safety sake, bring along a pre-prepared meal. 3.    Ensure that everyone in your child's life knows of your child's allergies and how to handle an emergency. 4.    As your child grows up, make him aware of the allergy so that he becomes self-trained in avoiding foods that spark the issue. It will also help him understand the importance of taking his medication. Show him how to use it and teach him a simple way of explaining his allergy to friends and family. 5.    Create a little buzz around the allergy. Make it a special thing rather than something that separates him from others. If he's allergic to nuts, for example, try to create a treat without nuts that become his unique indulgence. Good to know Compile a little carry-card that goes everywhere with your child with this information: •    The food that causes the allergy. •    Symptoms of an allergic reaction. •    Treatment in an emergency. •    Your contact information.

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