Battling Baby Allergies: Strategies for Success

Allergies in babies are common and can occur from the food they eat or from an object they touch or from the air they breathe in. Parents find it challenging to deal with allergies in infants as it is difficult to track down their cause. Parents should first determine the allergen causing the reaction and then take precautions to avoid exposure. If the allergies are severe or persistent, it is crucial to consult a doctor.

Allergies In Babies

Allergy is the body's natural immune reaction to any irritant from the outside. Allergies in babies primarily happen due to food, seasonal, and environmental factors. Thus, asthma, allergic rhinitis (nasal allergies), and food allergies are often interlinked. They may cohabit, or one ailment may get better while another develops.

Such allergies can affect both an infant (babies up to one year of age) and toddlers (between 1-3 years of age). Understanding the sequence of the development of these allergies, and the environmental factors that trigger them, is necessary for their prevention and treatment.

Common Allergies In Babies

The causes of common allergies in babies are varied. Let us discuss a few of them:

Common foods like peanuts, seafood, eggs, etc.  

Regular items in the household like pet fur, dusty corners, or mites can initiate an allergic reaction in your child if they are prone to it.  

On exposure to that irritant, the body attacks the allergens (the irritant) with antibodies (warrior compounds) called immunoglobulin E (IgE). IgE is carried by special cells called mast cells. Allergens stick to the IgE in the mast cells and induce the release of histamine and other chemicals, which cause allergy symptoms. 

When the chemicals irritate the nose, it causes a nasal allergy. When it happens in the airways and throat, it can cause asthma-like symptoms; when it occurs in the gut, it causes pain, vomiting, or rashes

Signs Of Allergies In Newborns And Their Management

The signs and symptoms of allergies in babies vary depending on the type of allergy. Let’s discuss this in detail and understand how to avoid allergic episodes for your baby.  

1. Food allergies  

After asthma, food allergies have been referred to as the "second wave" of the allergy epidemic and are widely recognised as a significant public health burden. According to recent research, food allergies are widespread and can affect up to 10% of infants in some of the countries.

The foods to which a child develops allergies will depend on their genetic tendency, how reactive the food is, and what time the child is exposed to them. The most common food allergies in babies are to cow's milk and eggs.

2. Atopic dermatitis (skin allergies)

About 10% of children worldwide are affected by atopic dermatitis, which typically starts in early infancy.

3. Allergic rhinitis (seasonal allergy due to inhalation of irritants)

This is a typical form of seasonal allergy that has symptoms similar to those of a ‘common cold’.

Take Care This Allergy Season

Infant allergies can be controlled, but you might need to change your daily schedule for that. A newborn having an allergy is likely to have other multiple ones. So, you'll need to be more vigilant for any signs. To manage your infant's allergies, communicate with your paediatrician, and everybody who looks after the baby, such as the daycare or babysitter. This will help the baby stay away from allergens and get emergency treatment if needed.

Conclusion

Allergies in infants are manageable but do require effort and consistent monitoring of the surrounding environment, including food and other possible triggers. Communication with the pediatrician and caregivers is essential for allergen avoidance and emergency treatment if needed.