Kids and Food Allergies: What You Need to Know

The Good News

• Milk and Egg Allergies: Common but often outgrown.
• Up to 95% of children eventually tolerate these foods.
• Starts with baked goods like muffins or pancakes.
• Some kids can handle less processed forms over time.

The Catch

• Tougher Allergies: Peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, and shellfish.
• Only a small number of kids outgrow these.
• Peanut allergies are a major focus in research and management.

Why Some Kids Outgrow Allergies While Others Don’t

Key Factors

1. IgE Levels

   • Lower IgE levels: More likely to outgrow allergies.
   • High IgE levels: Longer road to tolerance.

2. Severity and Number of Allergies

   • Milder reactions or fewer allergies: Outgrown sooner.
   • Multiple or severe allergies: Stick around longer.

3. Genetics

   • Influenced by many genes and environmental factors.
   • No genetic test can predict if a child will outgrow an allergy.

What Parents Can Do

Oral Immunotherapy (OIT)

• Introduces small, controlled amounts of an allergenic food to build tolerance.
• Often used for peanut allergies.
• Involves several office visits over months.
• Younger kids tend to do better with OIT.

Benefits of OIT:

• Raises a child’s reaction threshold.
• Reduces worry about accidental exposures.

Preventing Food Allergies

• Early Introduction of Allergenic Foods:
• Reduces the risk of developing allergies.
• Pediatricians advise introducing peanuts between 4 to 6 months of age.

• Similar findings for eggs.

• Managing Eczema:
• Linked to food allergy development.
• Inflamed skin can allow allergens to enter the body.
• Consistent skin care (e.g., daily moisturizing) can reduce eczema severity.
• Potentially lowers the chances of developing a food allergy.