Food allergy basics
Should I be concerned about food allergies? Food allergies are more common in children than adults, and are often inherited. Some allergies are mild and go away on their own. Others are very serious and can be fatal if not treated. Talk to your pediatrician early if you have a family history of food allergies.
Did you know that any food can cause a food allergy? However, the most common allergies are caused by the following foods:
-
cow's milk
-
eggs
-
soy
-
wheat
-
peanuts**
-
nuts from trees** (such as walnuts, pistachios, pecans, cashews)
-
fish (such as tuna, salmon, cod)
-
shellfish** (such as shrimp, lobster)
-
strawberries
**These foods are the most common causes of severe allergic reactions.
How do I know if it's a food allergy? Sometimes it's hard to know if your child has a food allergy or what's causing it. Here are some signs your baby may be allergic to a food:
In order to figure out what's causing your child's allergy, add only one new food to his diet each week. This gives your baby time to adjust to each new food and makes it easier to tell which food may have caused a reaction. Make a note of any reactions and discuss them with your pediatrician at your next visit.
|