Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Thursday, June 12, 2014
(UNDATED) - Some doctors have changed the way they recommend introducing foods to babies as a possible way to reduce the instance of food allergies.
While it seems that more people are experiencing allergic reactions to food than in the past, many doctors believe this is a combination of a slightly higher allergy rate and increased awareness of the allergies. Now, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology has recommended some new ways to help parents detect or prevent food allergies in their children. It includes the introduction of fruits and vegetables to the diets of babies when they are ready to start eating solid foods around the age of six-months. "Your belly isn't really ready for those solids until that time, and there's really not a lot of benefit in doing it earlier than that point," said Dr. Amanda Beach, pediatrician for St. Vincent Medical Group in Indianapolis.
As children get older, parents can try introducing foods that sometimes cause allergic reaction, and while some may be afraid to do so in the event of a severe reaction, Beach says that is unlikely unless there is a family history of food allergies. "Peanuts and tree nuts, milk and soy, egg, fish and shellfish and wheat are the most common foods that cause allergic reactions," Beach said. "Heredity plays a bigger role, whether you are talking about your season allergies, like grass and mold, or food allergies."
Beach believes we will see more doctors attempting to treat food allergies as some are now, by introducing tiny amounts of the food that causes the reaction into a person's diet, helping the allergy sufferer to build immunity.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.