Babies and Parents

Food allergy is a response of the immune system reacts to the consumption of certain food, mistakenly identified as an attack agent.

It happen to infants and children because an immune response is triggered by some element (usually harmless) of a specific food. When the baby is allergic to any food, your body identifies it as a foreign body produces antibodies and IgE (Immunoglobulin E). Returning to eat the same food the immune system reacts by secreting a substance called histamine to defend the alleged attack that causes the characteristic symptoms. 5% of children under age 3 are allergic to one or more food and the prognosis is generally favorable. If you are allergic will need a 50% chance that your baby will be too. And if your partner is allergic further opportunities will be 75%.

There are some foods more allergens than others. In infants and children the most common allergies are caused by the ingestion of egg, cow’s milk, peanuts, fish, shellfish, soy, nuts, wheat flour and precooked cereals and chocolate. With respect to food additives such as dyes, thickeners and preservatives, they are trying to avoid though not defined whether or not cause allergy.

Symptoms can appear within minutes or may follow several days off an allergic reaction mild, moderate or high risk to flow into the baby’s life. It is important to clarify that the baby may be allergic to a food even if it has previously eaten without problems, because sometimes the immune system does not react against the allergen immediately, so that if for example your baby is allergic to milk cow may not present any reaction the first few times you take it, but then symptoms appear.
• Symptoms immediate
They can start in less than 30 minutes after eating the food and presented as hives, swelling, hoarse voice and wheezing (wheezing). Also in most severe reactions can occur in low pressure and airway obstruction. Other immediate manifestations may include: abdominal pain, vomiting, cramps, nausea, angioedema, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, itchy mouth, throat, eyes, skin and nasal congestion. In cases of oral allergy symptoms that occur in the oral area are: itchy lips, tongue and throat (usually after the intake of fruits, vegetables and seafood) or / and swelling of lips on occasion.
• Symptoms deferred
They can start after 2 hours of eating the food and sometimes may be delayed 24 to 48 hours. They are usually at digestive symptoms such as diarrhea and cramps.
• Late symptoms
They may appear late, after several days after ingestion of food. In general it can be presented as atopic dermatitis.

How there is no medication to cure or prevent food allergies, the only treatment is to avoid food that causes allergy. To address a good treatment is important to know what the food that causes allergy and consult with the right specialist. If after consuming any food your baby or child suffers a severe generalized reaction, you should call the medical emergency. Another important factor related to prevention is to inform all people who care about this baby. If you have a baby are allergic, you should tell them what foods are forbidden. I also want to explain how to act in emergency situations.