Can Babies Suffer from Allergies?
The simple answer to the question of if babies can suffer from allergies, or not, is yes. It is a common misconception that babies haven’t been exposed to enough environmental issues, like pollen, pollutants, molds, etc, but the reality is that some babies are born with allergies, while others can get them very early on in life.
Food Allergies
Food allergies don’t normally present in children who are too young to eat solid foods. What is more likely to occur with babies is a food intolerance. Some parents find that their baby has difficulty digesting milk or formula. When this intolerance is accompanied by bloating, diarrhea or gas, then parents might mistake this for an allergy. Lactose intolerance is the most common food intolerance in babies. If you suspect your baby is lactose intolerant, talk to your doctor because there are alternatives to cow’s milk formula or breast milk.
There are studies that show that breastfeeding mothers should avoid ingesting commonly allergenic foods such as peanuts or shellfish, while other studies tout the benefits of doing so. Whether or not the mother’s milk allows the child to build up a resistance to the allergen or exposes them to it, is a debate that is ongoing. The best answer seems to be that if severe allergies run in your family, then don’t eat those foods while breastfeeding.
Babies Vs Eczema
Aside from food allergies, one of the most common allergies that afflict newborns and babies is eczema. Eczema presents in a variety of ways, but mostly it looks like an inflamed red rash that is very itchy. Excessively dry skin can be another form of eczema. Parent’s with children who suffer from eczema battle it daily, trying to find what it is that exacerbates the condition. Bleaches or perfumes in laundry detergent or fabric softeners, soaps, some lotions, some fabrics, some pillows, stuffed toys, cleaning chemicals and exposure to pets or smoke can all cause the eczema to flare up.
Babies and Nasal Allergies
A fairly new study shows that babies and toddlers can get nasal allergies. It has been thought that they were too young to get this condition, but this study shows that very young children and babies can indeed become afflicted. The chances of the baby getting nasal allergies were significantly higher if one or more parent suffered from it. Dust and house mites were the most common triggers of nasal allergies.