The First WARNING of Allergies in Your Child
“Doctor, we are worried that our child may have allergies.”
A couple once brought their baby to my allergy clinic with this concern.
Both parents had eczema.
Their baby was still very young, and they wanted to know:
“How do we look out for issues?”
This is a very reasonable question.
The first year of life is an important time to pay attention to your child’s skin and how they respond to foods.
You don’t need to assume that your child will develop allergies.
But there are some early signs worth knowing.
First Warning: Eczema Can Start Very Early
Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, can begin in infancy.
Sometimes, parents initially think:
“My baby just has dry skin.”
But eczema is more than ordinary dry skin.
It is usually itchy, dry and inflamed.
In babies, it often appears on the face and cheeks, and may later affect the arms, legs and other areas.
A baby with eczema may:
- have rough or very dry skin
- develop red or darker patches
- scratch or rub the skin
- develop recurrent flares
- have skin that becomes cracked, weepy or crusted
The appearance can also be different depending on your child’s skin tone. Redness may not always be obvious.
So if your baby’s skin is persistently dry, itchy or inflamed, don’t simply assume it is “sensitive skin.”
It may be eczema.
👉 [Read: Understanding the Allergic March]
Why Does Eczema Matter?
The skin is supposed to act as a barrier between your child and the outside world.
Early and significant eczema is associated with a higher risk of food allergy.
But let me make one thing clear:
Having eczema does not mean your child will develop food allergies.
But it means we should pay attention.
And we should give eczema proper treatment.
Because eczema can be one of the first manifestations of the “Allergic March.”
The Allergic March describes a pattern seen in some children.
But it is not a timetable that every child will follow.
👉 [Read: The Complex Relationship Between Eczema And Food Allergy]
Second Warning: Watch for Reactions to Food
As babies start eating solids, parents naturally have many questions.
“Is this normal?”
“Is it an allergy?”
“Should we stop giving this food?”
A true food allergy is an immune reaction to a food protein.
In babies, allergic reactions can occur quite quickly after eating.
Look out for symptoms such as:
Skin
- hives
- widespread itching
- swelling, particularly of the lips or face
Stomach
- repeated vomiting
- significant abdominal symptoms
Breathing
- coughing
- wheezing
- difficulty breathing
A reaction involving breathing difficulty, significant swelling or unresponsiveness may indicate anaphylaxis and requires urgent medical attention.
But there is an important distinction.
Not every symptom after eating means food allergy.
Babies develop rashes.
They spit up.
They may have loose stools.
Food gets around their mouth.
These things can happen for many reasons.
The timing, pattern and reproducibility of the reaction matter.
That is why I prefer to diagnose food allergy rather than guess.
Don’t Let Fear Stop You From Introducing Foods
This is something I discuss with parents very often.
Once parents know that their child may be at higher risk of food allergy, it is tempting to think:
“Perhaps we should just avoid these foods.”
Delaying allergenic foods does not prevent food allergy.
Current guidance supports introducing appropriate complementary foods, including common allergenic foods.
Early introduction of some allergenic foods has been shown to reduce the risk of food allergy.
The important thing is knowing when and how to introduce them safely.
👉 [Read: Fear of Introducing Foods]
When Should You Seek Help?
It is worth getting proper advice:
- If your baby has significant eczema
- A suspected reaction to food or repeated reactions to the same food
- You have difficulty introducing foods because of fear of allergy
Allergy testing should be guided by your child’s history.
We also conduct oral food challenges for diagnosis.
And food immunotherapy for treatment.
Seek emergency medical attention if your baby has a severe reaction involving breathing difficulty, marked swelling or unresponsiveness.
The First Year Is About Paying Attention
Look at the skin.
Watch for reactions to food.
Treat eczema properly.
Introduce foods appropriately.
And when something doesn’t look right, get it assessed.
The earlier we recognise a problem, the easier it is to understand what we are dealing with.
Need help understanding your child’s allergies?
Contact Allergy Immunology Clinic
