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Guest: Dr. Myron Liebhaber - Connect with Dr. Liebhaber at the Samsun Allergy Clinic in Santa Barbara - (805) 681-7635

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Lifetree Baby Washcloths

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Show Notes:

According to the Mayo Clinic

Allergies are an immune system reaction that occurs after eating food, leading to digestive problems, hives, closure of airways, or anaphylaxis. Food allergies are different than food intolerances or sensitivities, as they involve the immune system. Self-proclaimed allergies without testing are not TRUE food allergies.

8% of children under the age of 5 (1 in 13) and 4% of adults have food allergies. Over the last 10 years, food allergies have increased by 18%.

Most Common Food Allergies

Baby Food Allergies: Dairy and egg.

Toddler and older children: Peanuts and tree nuts.

Adults: Peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, soy, and seafood.

How and when should allergen foods be introduced?

Allergies are highly genetic. If the child is high risk (child has eczema, positive family history of allergies, or has other allergies) you should:

-introduce allergens before 4-6 months of age

-introduce egg yolk separately from egg whites

If the child is low risk, you can follow your pediatrician's recommendations of when and how to introduce allergens.

High Risk Foods:

The “Big 8” are: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans.

((In January 2023, sesame seeds will be added to that list on FDA label requirements))

Allergic reactions will happen right away, within an hour or two of eating a food (and only a small molecule of the food can cause a reaction). You might have a rash that is itching, or hives which look like raised welts.

In more serious cases, you will have anaphylaxis which literally translates to “without protection.” Anaphylaxis is when two systems are involved (hives with wheezing, hives with low blood pressure, hives with airway swelling, etc). If you have a skin reaction PLUS a reaction somewhere else within the body, it is a anaphylaxis, which is a medical emergency.

Additional “allergy-like” reactions:

Food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis (FPIAP) is a type of delayed inflammatory non-IgE mediated gut food allergy.

Pollen Food Syndrome- Oral allergies where your mouth gets itchy, breaks out, lips or tongue swell, or the tongue gets irritated.

Topical sensitization: when a rash occurs around mouth after eating.

Oral allergy: People who are allergic to transfer proteins that live in nuts, seeds, or the skin of fruit.

Allergy treatment:

If your child is having anaphylaxis, then an adrenaline injection (Epi Pen or Auvi Q) is absolutely necessary.

If your child is having other symptoms of allergy reaction, Benadryl can greatly help. And if necessary, steroids like Prednisone (administered only by medical professionals) can greatly help.

*If you or someone you know is having anaphylaxis, use an Epi pen and call 911 or go to the ER. Time is of the essence. Benadryl will help with hives but not anaphylaxis. Epinephrin is the only thing that will save someone’s life if they are having a severe allergic reaction. Always go to the emergency room after administrating an Epi pen.

*If you are having trouble with your insurance covering your child’s Epi pen, check out ASPN mail away pharmacy.

What do I do if I think my child has a food allergy?

1. Start with your pediatrician. If necessary, they will refer you to a specialist.

2. If you go to a specialist, they will take a detailed patient history, a detailed family history, confirm suspicions with an allergy skin test (skin prick test), and do a blood test (food specific IgE test). If there is true allergy, then food tolerance is tested safely in the allergist’s office. These are called “challenges.”

Social considerations of allergies:

It is recommended to always call ahead to restaurants to verify accommodations can be made for your child’s allergy.

Notify your child’s school.

Notify parents for birthday or social parties.

Tips:

Relax and enjoy your kids. Also…enjoy your meals!

You can use liquid Benadryl to combat allergies, sunburns, and even rashes.

Make sure you always feed toddlers in highchairs to avoid aspiration.

Breastfeeding is great for allergies because ”you create a very acceptable microbiome in the gut”

Dairy-sensitive babies can use these hypo-allergenic formulas: Similac Ailmentum, Pregestimil, or Nutramigen.

Check out FoodAllergy.org for more great resources!

Check out the Rotten documentary series on Netflix. There is an episode on peanuts and food allergies that is fantastic!!