Foods that sensitive babies are likely to be allergic to

It is currently recognized by the global pediatric allergy community that more than 90% of food allergies in infants and young children are concentrated in eight categories of high-risk foods, namely milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (walnuts, cashews, almonds, etc.), wheat, soybeans, fish, and crustacean aquatic products (shrimp, crab, shellfish, etc.). The remaining less than 10% of allergy cases are scattered in other common food ingredients.

Last week, I met a 10-month-old boy in the child nutrition clinic. My mother added half an egg yolk. The next day, a rash appeared around his mouth, and he had diarrhea for two days. At first, I thought it was a cold due to the change of seasons. Later, after checking the serum specific IgE, I found out that it was an egg allergy, which is the most common trigger factor for all babies.

Speaking of the most troublesome thing for parents, milk protein allergy is definitely the first hurdle that many families cannot avoid. Many parents panic and switch to deeply hydrolyzed milk as soon as they discover the allergy. In fact, the industry has always had different treatment ideas: most allergists will recommend that if you have moderate to severe reactions such as angioedema, vomiting, food refusal, or even wheezing, you can directly use amino acid formula for 6 months and then gradually downgrade it to avoid repeated allergies that induce more troublesome immune problems such as asthma and atopic dermatitis.； However, many experts in the pediatric nutrition department believe that if there is only a mild perioral rash and no other systemic reactions, there is no need to completely avoid ordinary milk. You can use very small doses each time to gradually stimulate immune tolerance, which can help the baby get rid of the allergic state faster. There is no absolute right or wrong between the two ideas. The core is to choose based on the baby's specific reaction.

Don't tell me, I've met many parents who believe in "nuts to nourish the brain". They fed their children whole cashews and pistachios when they were just one year old. As a result, their lips swelled into sausage mouths after one bite. Some even had wheals all over their bodies after eating half a spoonful of peanut butter, and they had to be rushed to the emergency room. Let’s be honest here. Peanut and tree nut allergies are indeed relatively stubborn. Statistics show that 80% of peanut allergies will last a lifetime. However, about 20% of children with tree nut allergies will gradually tolerate it on their own during school age. There is no need to put your child on the food blacklist forever as soon as the allergy is discovered. You can review the allergens once a year and consider whether to try again based on the doctor’s evaluation.

Oh, by the way, there are many allergies that are so hidden that many parents never even think of them. For example, I had a 2-year-old child who complained of stomachache every time he ate noodles. He had not gained weight for half a year. After a lot of hard work, he was found to be allergic to wheat gluten. The steamed buns, noodles, and even wheat flour in cakes and breads he usually eats have allergens. There are also many children who are allergic to dust mites and mugwort. Eating tropical fruits such as mango, kiwi, and pineapple can also easily trigger cross-allergy. Even if these are not on the eight high-risk lists, you must be careful.

When I give feeding guidance to parents of Minbao, I always remind them repeatedly: when adding new ingredients, don’t rush to add several at a time. Add only one kind at a time. If there is no abnormality after eating for 3 days in a row, then change to the next one. Otherwise, if you are really allergic, you will not be able to find the culprit. Also, don’t just focus on the fresh ingredients themselves. Many additives in finished food supplements and children’s snacks may also contain allergens, such as soy lecithin, whey protein, and even chopped nuts added to some cereals. When buying, be sure to look at the bottom of the ingredient list to read the allergen warning. Don’t buy blindly just because it says “for infants and young children” on the package.

Of course, every child’s immune status is different. This does not mean that foods that are not in these eight categories are absolutely safe. I have also encountered children who are allergic to peaches and mutton. Although the proportion is low, it is not impossible. You don’t need to be overly anxious. About 70% of children will gradually develop tolerance to common allergies such as eggs and milk before the age of 6. As long as you don’t blindly limit your child’s nutritional intake due to their own dietary restrictions, and gradually adjust according to the guidance of the doctor, most Minbao can slowly unlock more ingredients.