Allergy and Intolerance

Many mums worry about their babies reacting to the foods they give them or developing an allergy. Parents may need your help understanding the difference between allergies and intolerance.

The prevalence of allergies has increased greatly over the last two decades, although experts are still trying to discover exactly why
Babies are more at risk of developing an allergy if they have a parent or close relative that has asthma, eczema, hay fever or food allergy
Cows’ milk protein allergy is the most common food allergy in babies

Food Allergy

A food allergy involves the immune system and often causes an immediate reaction after consumption of the food allergen (something in the food that causes an allergic reaction)
The most common symptoms of a food allergy are irritation of the skin and eyes, swellings around the eyes, mouth and tongue, sneezing and blocked or runny noses, shortness of breath and coughing, abdominal pains, diarrhoea and vomiting
Around 5-8 % of children will develop a true food allergy and up to 90% of children will grow out of these allergies, often by five years of age. They may however go on to develop other allergy related conditions, such as asthma, eczema, hay fever or rhinitis, later in life
The foods that most commonly cause food allergies are; eggs, milk, tree nuts (e.g. walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, brazil nuts), cereals containing gluten (e.g. wheat, barley, oats), fish, shellfish, peanuts, soya, sesame seeds, mustard and celery.

Food Intolerance

Food intolerance is any adverse response that happens each time a food is eaten
A food intolerance is often a more delayed reaction, usually occurring hours or even days after eating certain foods
Lactose intolerance is an example, where there is a lack of or a reduced amount of the lactase enzyme which is needed for lactose digestion
Food intolerance symptoms often involve the digestive tract and include pain, colic, bloating, wind, diarrhoea and sometimes vomiting

Recommendations for babies considered at higher risk of developing food allergy

Babies with a family history of allergy are at a higher risk of developing a food allergy, and there are certain recommendations that include:

Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life
Weaning foods to be introduced one at a time with a period of at least one day between new foods so that symptoms can be monitored

Allergy and intolerance to cows’ milk

If you suspect that cows’ milk is causing a baby’s symptoms, it is important to determine whether it is the protein or the lactose (a milk sugar) which is causing the problem, as this will determine the type of dietary restrictions they will need
Symptoms of the two can be similar and include eczema or rashes, diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach cramps. Lactose intolerance, will not produce hives or breathing difficulties
Babies can react to cows’ milk, infant formula based on cows’ milk, or even breast milk if cows’ milk or dairy products have been consumed by the mother
An allergy to cows’ milk affects 2-7 % of babies under a year of age. Children often grow out of their allergy by the age of 3 but in some cases it may persist beyond this
A lactose intolerance will not show up in conventional allergy testing like a skin prick test or blood test

If you suspect a baby has a food allergy or intolerance

If a baby has had an adverse reaction to a food, it is very important the baby receives medical advice. Reassure the parents that if an allergy or intolerance is diagnosed, they will receive help to formulate a suitable diet for their baby to ensure that their nutritional needs are met.