Food intolerance and food allergies

Some babies need to have a special diet due to a food allergy or food intolerance. Others have a certain kind of food intolerance problem.

What’s the definition of food intolerance?

A food intolerance tends to become apparent hours or even days after eating certain foods. They cause discomfort but are not usually life-threatening.

What are the symptoms?

• Tummy pain.
• Colic.
• Bloating.
• Wind.
• Diarrhoea.
• Vomiting.

Will a food intolerance develop into a food allergy?

Between 5-8% of children will develop a true food allergy after food intolerance. Around 90% of children will grow out of these allergies. However, they may then go on to develop other allergy-related conditions such as asthma, eczema, hayfever or rhinitis.

What’s the definition of a food allergy?

• A true food allergy usually causes an immediate reaction after eating the problem food.
• Symptoms usually occur a few seconds or minutes after eating.
• The reactions can sometimes be life-threatening.

What are the symptoms of a food allergy?

• The symptoms of an allergy generally appear within a few minutes, but can take up to an hour to develop. Symptoms can include a rash or wheezing, or swelling of the lips and tongue.
• The most severe form of allergy is called anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that requires emergency medical treatment.
• Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include a rash, swelling of the lips and tongue, feeling faint, tightening of the throat and difficulty breathing.
• Left untreated the reaction may cause loss of consciousness and, in rare circumstances, may be fatal.
• If you suspect your baby may be having an anaphylactic attack, phone 999 or go straight to the casualty department of your local hospital.
• If your baby is diagnosed with a severe food allergy, he will need to carry the adrenaline drug called epinephrine everywhere with him as a first line of treatment for an anaphylactic reaction.

What should I do if I think my baby has a food allergy or intolerance?

• If you think your baby has a food intolerance or allergy, see your HP, who may then refer her to a dietitian.
• For food intolerance, the dietician could put your baby on an exclusion diet, where suspect foods are removed from his diet, then slowly reintroduced. This helps to identify which foods are causing problems.
• The most common food culprits are eggs, cow’s milk, nuts, wheat, shellfish, citrus fruits, tomatoes, sesame seeds and soya.