How to introduce an allergen?
Allergens should be introduced between 6 months and 12 months, delaying the introduction of these foods, after 12 months, may actually increase the risk of becoming allergic later on.
There are 14 food allergens, although you could be allergic to anything.
Eggs
Peanuts
Tree-nuts: almonds, brazil nuts, walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts
Sesame: tahini, hummus
Lupin
Soya
Dairy cows’ milk allergy (CMA) or cows’ milk protein allergy (CMPA): cow’s milk, cheese, yoghurt
Fish: Anchovy, basa, cod, cuttlefish, eel, flounder, grouper, haddock, hake, halibut, mackerel, monkfish, perch, pike, pilchards, plaice, pollock, salmon, sardine, sea bass, sea bream, snapper, swordfish, trout, tuna, turbot, whitebait, whiting, tilapia.
Molluscs: clam, cockle, mussel, octopus, oyster, periwinkle, scallop, snail, squid, whelks, sea urchin
Crustaceans: Crab, crayfish, langoustine, lobster, prawn, shrimp, scampi
Wheat
Mustard
Celery
Sulphur dioxide: known as sulfites preserve foods so can be found in a variety of food products or food ingredients.
When introducing an allergen, you should follow these steps:
Introduce the allergen when your baby is well, no cold, flu, temperature, cough, teething
Introduce the allergen early in the day, to monitor any reactions;
Introduce it gradually for example a quarter of teaspoon at first, 2 days after half a teaspoon and 2 days after that whole teaspoon;
Introduce one allergen at time, so that you can be sure that the reaction is due to the new food.
Reactions can be Immediate or delayed.
Immediate reactions
Immediate reactions occur within 30 mins of food ingestion.
SYMPTOMS:
Swollen lips, tongue, and eyes. Hives and itchiness. Vomiting/abdominal pain.
Severe symptoms:
Swollen tongue, cough, hoarse cry, pale or floppy, unresponsive, unconscious.
ACTION:
CALL IMMEDIATELY 999 or 111.
Delayed:
Gut problems such as vomiting, food aversion, loose stools, constipation, skin reactions (worsening eczema or itchiness)
ACTION:
Stop the suspected food, call your GP to discuss further action.
If no reaction then you can fully introduce the food.
MISPERCEIVING FOOD REACTION AS A FOOD ALLERGY
Not all adverse reactions are an indication of food allergy. Some foods can increase skin sensitivity, these are tomatoes, strawberries, citrus fruits..a rash can occur around the mouth area particularly in babies with very sensitive skin and eczema. Spreading an emollient moisturiser before consuming these acidic foods may help decrease the reaction.
If allergies run in your family or your baby is at high risk of developing a food allergy (eczema or known food allergy) then seek medical advice: dietitian or paediatric allergy specialist.