One of the types of allergies that increase in frequency every day is a food allergy. Pediatrics and Pediatric Allergy Specialist Prof. Dr. Hülya Ercan Sarıçoban said that 1 out of every 17 babies is allergic to food today.
A genetic factor is extremely important in food allergy, which is considered the first form. When people with a predisposition encounter food that will cause allergies, the food allergy begins to show symptoms. Children whose parents are allergic are up to 60 percent more likely to develop allergies. Prof. Dr. Hülya Ercan Sarıçoban pointed out that allergies are also seen in babies whose mother or father is not allergic today. At this point, susceptibility to allergies is most thought to be effective in industrial development, environmental pollution, ready-made foods, additives, and chemicals in detergents.

The First Symptoms Appear When The Baby Is 2-3 Months Old 

Having any allergic disease in the mother or father is a sufficient risk factor for food allergy. In other words, even if the mother or father does not have a food allergy, carrying any allergy disease such as asthma, allergic catarrh, or atopic dermatitis poses a risk for the development of food allergy in the child. Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Pediatrics and Pediatric Allergy Specialist Prof. Dr. Hülya Ercan Sarıçoban explained the following about the first symptoms: “A reaction to food eaten for the first time does not develop immediately. The baby is allergic to the food either through ready-made formula foods or by taking the allergens of the foods that the mother eats through breast milk. Therefore, it is not expected to have a food allergy as soon as the baby is born. Usually after 2-3 months, food allergy symptoms begin to appear. Later in life, food allergies can develop at any time.”

Which Foods Cause The Most Allergies?

Since babies are mostly fed with breast milk or formula, they are most allergic to cow's milk proteins in breast milk or formula, Prof. Dr. Hülya Ercan Sarıçoban gave the following information about other foods that cause allergies:
“Another allergy that develops before the age of one is against egg protein. Apart from these, they can also react to wheat, soy, fish, and nuts. As the baby grows, they begin to react to nuts such as nuts, peanuts, sesame, and walnuts. Older children, especially those with pollen allergies, may experience sensations with vegetables and fruits that can cross-react with pollen. After all, every age has a prominent allergenic food. However, sometimes allergies may occur outside of these generalizations. Since each food tasted by the baby is different, the occurrence of allergies may vary depending on the time.”

Complaints Can Be Resilient

Stating that food allergy symptoms first manifest themselves by giving symptoms in the skin or digestive system, Pediatrics, and Pediatric Allergy Specialist Prof. Dr. Hülya Ercan Sarıçoban listed other symptoms that may occur in children as follows: 
 “Itching on the skin can show the first signs of dryness, atopic dermatitis (eczema) that goes with a rash, or swollen itchy redness (urticaria, hives) on the skin that develops suddenly. In some children, one or more of the symptoms such as restlessness, constant crying, inability to gain weight, bloody-mucous pooping, vomiting, stubborn rash, or stubborn constipation may be together. In a smaller group, attacks such as repeated wheezing, wheezing, shortness of breath, persistent cough, and bronchitis can be observed. Some babies may be accompanied by stubborn nasal congestion. Even the first symptom can be seen with sudden allergic shock. Families do not immediately attribute the first complaints to allergies. The allergy can only improve as long as the food is taken and sometimes weeks after the food is stopped. Therefore, the complaints of allergy are stubborn and resist treatment or recovery after a short time. When this happens, it is clear that something is wrong, and they are directed to allergies.”

Treatment Requires Patience

In the diagnosis of food allergy in children, patient history is used to a large extent. However, the diagnosis is confirmed with tests and treatment is started. The basic rule in food allergy is to remove the food that is allergic from the diet. It takes about 3 weeks for a food to be eliminated from the body. Diet is adjusted according to the allergy status of the patient. For instance, sometimes when the mother does not diet, there is no reaction in the breast milk, but if the baby eats that food, the reaction may occur. In this case, there is no need to diet for the mother, and it is enough for the baby to diet. Sometimes the baked or fermented form of food is tolerated, while the less processed or raw form cannot be tolerated, in which case the diet is regulated. It is an additional supportive treatment to the system in which the next stage of food reacts. For example, in atopic dermatitis, creams are arranged on wounds and dry skin. In rash, allergy syrup or drops are added. In asthma, breathers can be used. In addition, vitamins, minerals, or other nutritional supplements that will be formed by dietary food are given. 

Must Investigate As A Detective

Stating that food allergy is a condition that lasts for a long time but usually improves, it is necessary to be patient and not get demoralized, Yeditepe University Hospital Prof. Dr. Hülya Ercan Sarıçoban said, “The allergen that causes it may not be detected immediately. Like a detective, the connection between what food reacts to and what needs to be investigated. Sometimes food allergy should become a process that dermatology, pediatric gastroenterology, dietitian, pediatrician, family doctor, teacher, school, and family should carry out together. The fact that this team communicates with each other provides the most effective treatment.” 

Each Food Has Its Own Healing Time 

Prof. Dr. Hülya Ercan Sarıçoban, many allergies such as milk and eggs improve as children grow. For example, it is observed that milk allergy passes at a very high rate such as at 3 years of age, and egg allergy at 5 years of age. However, allergies to nuts, fish, and shellfish tend to be permanent. In other words, each food has its own healing process and story.  Yeditepe University Hospital Pediatrician Prof. Dr. Hülya Ercan Sarıçoban also added: “Additionally, if the nutritional deficiency diet is not fully adjusted, it may cause problems due to calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B deficiency. Skin that cannot be treated well may become infected. If food-borne asthma is uncontrollable, it can cause recurrent asthma attacks and sometimes pneumonia.”

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