San Francisco, CA, July, 2024 – Food allergies are on the rise, affecting more than 33 million people in the U.S. These allergies can be life-threatening, leading to increased focus on testing, treatment, and prevention. Early exposure to potential allergens is recommended to reduce the risk of developing allergies.

Dr. Rani Maskatia, a board-certified pediatric adult allergist and immunologist with Latitude Food Allergy Care shares six things parents might not know about early food introduction for babies as young as four months old and how families can support and manage suspected food allergies:

1. What are the Signs of Food Allergies in Babies?

Food allergy symptoms in babies usually occur within two hours of eating a specific food, although some reactions can occur more quickly. Common signs include hives and rashes, but babies may also experience swelling of the face, tongue, or lips, coughing, wheezing, flushed skin, or vomiting. If your baby shows any of these symptoms, please consult a pediatrician or allergist. Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include a weak or rapid pulse, dizziness, low blood pressure, constricted airways, difficulty swallowing or speaking, and difficulty breathing. Anaphylaxis can cause the body to go into shock and must be treated with immediate medical attention. An epinephrine auto-injector is the primary form of treatment to counteract the symptoms of anaphylaxis.

2. What Causes the Body to Have a Food Allergy Reaction?

Food allergy reactions occur when the immune system responds to exposure to specific proteins in food. With exposure — most often through ingestion — the immune system releases antibodies (IgE), which signal the body to treat the food protein as a threat. In severe cases, even small amounts of the allergen can trigger life-threatening reactions like anaphylaxis.

3. What are the Most Common Food Allergies in Babies?

Cow’s milk allergy is the most common, affecting as many as 3% of babies by one year old and 2 in every 100 children by age four. Egg is also a very common allergen for babies. Infants with a cow’s milk allergy or an egg allergy might experience allergic reactions after consumption of some forms of the allergen and not react to other forms, such as baked products. It is especially important that families have clarification from an experienced allergist when there is confusion about reactions and testing.

Peanut allergies, affecting nearly 1.6 million children in the U.S., can develop at any age and often last a lifetime, putting children at a higher risk of anaphylaxis. Early introduction of all three of these common allergens is recommended for all babies. If a suspected allergy is present, your doctor can discuss testing and potential treatment options.

4. How Do I Introduce Food to Babies Safely?

Recent research shows that early exposure can reduce the risk of developing severe food allergies. One pivotal study concluded that early peanut introduction in higher-risk infants (between 4-11 months of age) decreased the risk of developing peanut allergy by 81%. Another larger study found a 75% reduction in peanut allergy with early introduction across all eczema severity groups (including kids with no eczema) and across different ethnicities. Earlier age of introduction was associated with improved effectiveness.

The CDC suggests starting a variety of foods around six months, including cereals, meats, fruits, and vegetables. Most babies can start peanut and egg introduction between 4-6 months, when they are developmentally ready for solid foods, without testing. However, children at high risk of developing food allergies (like those with severe eczema or existing food allergies) should consult a doctor or allergist before trying new foods.

5. How to Protect Your Baby from Food Allergies

Leading research shows that early and regular exposure to various foods may reduce the risk of a child developing food allergies. It’s understandable that introducing new foods can be anxiety-producing for families. But, introducing new foods is especially beneficial for infants with eczema, who may have a higher risk of developing a food allergy. If you have questions about how to safely introduce these foods to your baby, allergists specializing in food allergies can provide personalized guidance.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) now recommend these guidelines for food allergy prevention.

6. Can Food Allergy Treatments For Babies Last Through Childhood?

Yes! A study published in the journal NEJM Evidence in May revealed introducing peanuts in infancy prevents peanut allergy into adolescence. Children who were fed peanut products regularly from infancy to age 5 years reduced their peanut allergies by 71% in adolescence, even when the child ate or avoided peanut products as desired for years.

These exciting long-term results from the early introduction of peanuts — at an age when immune systems are quite malleable — are very much in line with what we see in our patients in our food allergy clinics: early introduction of peanuts can provide powerful long-term protection from developing food allergies. Research will hopefully continue to build on this new evidence, and ultimately support the long-term value of early introduction for all common allergens.

There is still much to learn from ongoing studies, but results like this can shift the landscape for millions of families impacted by food allergies.

For additional information, please visit, Latitude Food Allergy Care.

Questions About Introducing Allergens?

ABOUT LATITUDE FOOD ALLERGY CARE

Latitude Food Allergy Care is the leading network of clinics providing life-changing testing and treatment, including oral immunotherapy (OIT), to help families with food allergies live more freely. Latitude was founded in 2018 by food allergy parents in partnership with world-renowned researchers to provide an exceptional patient experience specifically designed for the needs of food allergy patients of all ages. Led by board-certified allergists, Latitude has provided evidence-based solutions like OIT to more than 6,000 patients with single and multiple food allergies, including those with the most severe food allergies.

Latitude has four clinics in the San Francisco Bay Area, a clinic on the Upper East Side in New York City, and will open a new clinic in Brooklyn in February 2024. Latitude is affiliated with UCSF Benioff Children’s Physicians and Weill-Cornell Medicine and partners with Columbia University Medical Center and Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy & Asthma Research at Stanford University. Latitude accepts insurance from most major carriers. For more information, please visit latitudefoodallergycare.com and follow Latitude on Instagram, Facebook, and  Linkedin.