An estimated two to five percent of children suffer from food allergies, in which the immune system reacts to a particular food as an intruder. When the child eats an offending food, his body releases antibodies that cause reactions such as skin rashes, watery eyes and diarrhea.

There are two types of allergic reactions to food. The first is immediate. As soon as the food goes in to the child’s mouth, his throat swells, and he may sneeze and have watery eyes or an itchy tongue. In rare cases, a food will cause anaphylactic shock. Within minutes of eating, the child's throat swells and spasms, hindering breathing.

The second type of reaction takes a few days to show up. Usually the allergy produces facial rashes such as hives, or gastrointestinal symptoms including bloating, gas and diarrhea.

What You Can Do

When starting solids, introduce a new food only every three to five days. If your child is going to react to the food, chances are the symptoms will show up within this time. "More than 90 percent of food allergies are caused by nine foods: dairy products, soy, shellfish, wheat, tree nuts, peanuts, egg whites, citrus fruits and food additives," says pediatrician William Sears. He advises introducing the least allergenic foods – fruits, vegetables and cereal – first, and waiting until the child is at least 18 months old to offer the most allergenic foods – the ones highest in protein – such as eggs and peanut butter.

If your child has a mild reaction to a particular food, wait a few weeks and then try giving it to him again. If you have a family history of food allergies, or your partner does, the likelihood that your child will have allergies may double. The good news is that most kids outgrow food allergies by age three.

Always consult a pediatrician about your baby’s individual needs.

Source: BabyCenter.com