Up to eight percent of children under the age of three may have food allergies. Allergies to food occur when the immune system reacts to some substance in the food, usually something completely harmless like a protein, and creates antibodies to fight this substance. The immune system creates antibodies to fight harmful foreign substances, but sometimes harmless substances trigger the immune system to result in an allergic reaction. Dr. Boyan Hadjiev, a top NYC allergy doctor, can help you determine if your infant is allergic to baby food.

Common Baby Food Allergies

Some of the most common foods that provoke allergic reactions in young children and infants are milk products, eggs, and peanuts. Tree nuts, including walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts, are often the cause of infant food allergies.

Infants in families with a history of food allergies in other family members, or conditions like eczema, hay fever, or asthma, are at higher risk of developing a food allergy. Infants who have the skin condition known as eczema are likely to develop a food allergy.

Dr. Boyan Hadjiev, one of NYC’s top allergy doctors, advises patients that their child may have an immediate reaction to food if the child exhibits hives around the mouth, nose, or eyes, right after ingestion of a particular food item. Other signs are swelling of the lips, eyes, or face, runny nose, sneezing, watery or itchy eyes, throat irritation, and stomach complaints that can include nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Some allergic reactions can be very severe. These reactions are known as anaphylaxis, and they can cause death. The child may be wheezing or unable to breath, and his tongue or mouth can swell. Anaphylaxis can also cause a sudden drop in blood pressure.

A child who has a severe allergic reaction can die quickly if medical treatment is not immediate. Dr. Boyan Hadjiev, a top New York allergy doctor, often recommends that parents and caregivers of infants and children at risk for a severe allergic reaction carry an auto-injector of epinephrine at all times. If your child has a severe reaction and you do not have an epinephrine auto-injector available, call 911 immediately. In fact, if you treat your child with an auto-injector, you should still call 911, because a second reaction can occur swiftly after the medication wears off.

If your child has any signs of food allergies, you should call us today for a consultation with Dr. Boyan Hadjiev, one of New York’s leading allergy specialists. Dr. Boyan Hadjiev will work closely with you to diagnose and treat your child’s food allergy and prevent serious consequences.