Prevention

Allergies cannot be completely prevented, but you might be able to delay or lessen the chances of a child developing an allergy.

Food allergies

Breast milk may help protect a baby's immature immune system from overreacting to certain ingredients in food.

For helping to prevent food allergies, here are some tips:

• Babies should be breastfed for four to six months because breast milk is less likely to create an allergic reaction while also strengthening the immune system.
• Infants not being breastfed should get partially pre-digested, protein hydrolysate formulas such as Alimentum or Nutramigen.
• When the baby is 6 to 12 months old, vegetables, rice, meat and fruit can be introduced. Each food should be introduced one at a time so foods that cause a reaction can be identified and eliminated. (Some children may outgrow their food allergies. But don't try to reintroduce a food without talking to your doctor.) After the child is 1 year old, milk, wheat, corn, citrus and soy may be added. At 2, the child may have egg. Finally, at 3, fish and peanuts may be introduced.
• Recent evidence suggests adding probiotics to infant formula, or when taken during pregnancy may decrease the number of eczema cases in families with this allergic history.

Environmental allergies

Reducing contact with allergens such as dust mites early in life may delay or prevent allergy or asthma symptoms in children at high risk.

Evidence about exposure to animals early in life and allergies is unclear. Some studies say early exposure to animals may make susceptible children more likely to develop allergies and asthma. Other research says early exposure may protect children from developing these diseases later. Talk with your doctor.

More on Allergies

In the Encyclopedia:

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.