Expert advice on introducing allergens to your children early, as studies show it can reduce the risk of living with allergies

Food allergies are very common in the US, with an estimated 4 million children suffering from allergies such as milk, eggs and peanuts. 

Based on findings from Learning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP), it is now advised to introduce these allergens to babies and toddlers early to reduce their risk of developing peanut allergy by almost 80%. This is a pivot from decades of previous recommendations which advised parents not to expose their children with the thought that limited exposure would prevent the development of allergies.

For the parents of young children moving onto solid foods, the changing advice can be confusing, and it can be hard to know what to introduce and when. Search data from AlsoAsked reveals that parents are frequently flocking to Google to ask: “At what age should a child be tested for allergies?” and “How do I know if my child has allergies?”. 

Over 1.9k monthly online searches worldwide for “baby allergies” and a further 900 monthly searches for “children’s allergy” also highlight how regularly parents are checking.

These revised food-introduction guidelines now indicate that, with a few exceptions, allergenic foods may be given to children between the ages of four and six months of age, with further regular exposure to maintain tolerance. 

Tips for introducing allergens

The experts at Allergy Insider have recommended six tips to help parents when it comes to introducing allergen foods to their children for the first time:

1. Start with less allergenic foods

2. Introduce more common food allergens gradually

3. Use single-ingredient foods instead of multiple-ingredient combinations

4. Consider choking hazards when selecting food textures

5. Keep previously introduced allergenic foods on the menu

6. Introduce allergenic foods at home and in the morning

When introducing allergens to children, it is important to remember that there are some exceptions. If an older sibling has an allergy to peanuts, the younger sibling is highly likely to also be allergic, so this should be avoided until checked by a doctor. Similarly, if the child experiences severe eczema or dermatitis, they should be seen by a doctor before being given allergenic foods.

Symptoms to look out for

It is important to note that allergic reactions typically occur within minutes to two hours after eating. Symptoms to look out for include:

• Hives

• Swelling of the lips, face, and/or eyelids

• Red rash around the mouth

• Tingling in the mouth

• Stomach pains

• Vomiting

More serious food allergy reactions such as anaphylaxis include difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue, tightness in the throat, a hoarse voice, coughing or wheezing and also collapsing. 

Testing for food allergies

It is generally discouraged to carry out routine allergy testing before food introduction because it could lead to positive results being falsely interpreted as an allergy, and cause unnecessary delay in introducing these foods to children.

The only exception to this will be those at high risk of a peanut allergy. In this case, an early test such as a specific IgE blood test is recommended, along with a symptom history and physical exam, which will help your healthcare provider diagnose the child’s allergies.

For more information about allergens in children, such as prevention and breastfeeding, head to the Allergy Insider blog.