A food allergy is characterized by a set of abnormal immune reactions following the consumption of a specific food. According to Health Insurance, food allergies have been on the rise for several years. About 6% of children would be affected by a food allergy and 3% of adults.
Food allergies are therefore more and more common in infants and children. Marine Lhomme, pediatric nurse, takes stock of the symptoms, causes and treatments for these allergic reactions.
What are the symptoms of a food allergy in an infant?
The manifestations of a food allergy in a young child are different from those in an adult. They can appear as soon as the allergenic food is swallowed. The baby can then develop digestive, skin or respiratory reactions such as:
What foods can cause a food allergy?
In an infant, the main food that triggers an allergic reaction is cow's milk. "In recent years, I have seen more and more breastfed babies who are also allergic to cow's milk. The mother continues to eat a normal diet, for example consuming cow's milk for breakfast. The infant then develops an allergic reaction through breastfeeding", explains Marine Lhomme. Egg products can also cause a food allergy in a baby.
If a breastfed baby is allergic to cow's milk, then the mom will need to follow a strict diet. It is necessary that she remove from her diet all foods containing cow's milk protein. "If the child has no further reaction after removing these foods, this will confirm the allergy to cow's milk protein", adds the nursery nurse.
According to Health Insurance, cow's milk allergy is cured in 80% of cases around the age of one to two years. Regarding egg allergy, it disappears around the child's three years in 60% of cases.
A child can develop other allergies when his parents start giving him solid foods. The most common allergic reactions are due to nuts, but these foods are not recommended before the age of two to three years. Many children are also allergic to peanuts. However, these food allergies rarely improve with age.
Food allergy: how is the diagnosis made?
The diagnosis is based on the clinical condition of the baby. As soon as the first signs appear, it is important to consult a doctor. During the medical appointment, the health professional asks the parents the different symptoms that appear in their child. "The observation of the parents is therefore very important, because the doctor will rely on it. If the child has diarrhea, itching or crying when bottle-feeding or breast-feeding, it is better to note it ", recommends Marine Lhomme.
"A food allergy is often inherited. If the first child is allergic to cow's milk, the second baby is at high risk of being allergic to it as well. It is estimated that there is about a 9 in 10 chance that the second child will develop a reaction. allergic", completes the nursery nurse.
What are the treatments for a food allergy?
The main treatment for a food allergy is the avoidance of allergenic products. In the case of an allergy to cow's milk, it should in particular be removed from the baby's diet. "To replace it, the doctor prescribes hydrolysates, special milks, which are sold in pharmacies ", complete Marine Lhomme. The infant can also be taken care of by an allergist in order to ensure medical follow-up.
Thank you to Marine Lhomme, nursery nurse
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