In severe cases, anaphylaxis occurs. This is a life threatening reaction that causes swelling of the mouth and throat and difficulty breathing. This will usually only happen on your child’s second exposure to a food to which they are allergic.

Many children outgrow early allergies to food by the age of three. However, there is no cure for some life-long allergies particularly allergies to fish or nuts and the only way to remain healthy is to avoid the problem food altogether. Only about 2% of the adult population suffers from a true allergy.

The commonest foods that carry a risk of allergic reaction or food intolerance in babies

Although potentially any food can cause an allergy, only a handful of foods are to blame for about 90% of allergies.

These include:
• cow’s milk and dairy products
• nuts
• eggs
• wheat-based products
• shellfish
• chocolate
• Berry and citrus fruits can sometimes cause a reaction in susceptible babies but rarely cause a true allergy.

With the later introduction of solid foods between 4 and 6 months, the incidence of food allergy in young babies has become less common. However, it is still babies under the age of eighteen months who are most likely to develop an allergy.