Introducing new foods to baby with allergies

[piratehugs]

My 10-month old has eczema and hay fever and is allergic to egg. We're on a very long waiting list to see the allergy clinic at the hospital.

I really want to try him on peanut and sesame, but have been putting it off. I just don't dare risk anaphylaxis, uncommon as it is, without having quick access to adrenaline. The advice I've read says to introduce the new foods as early as possible, as that can help them avoid developing allergies later on. My health visitor agreed with me that that is a good approach in principle, but she didn't know if she could bring herself to do it, knowing he's high risk for allergies.

My question is - how can we introduce these new foods in a controlled environment? Are there private clinics that will do tests safely? Do we feed him peanut butter in the car outside A&E?

What have others done? Thanks!

My DS is allergic to milk and egg, and when introducing peanut I just watched some YouTube videos about what to do in an anaphylaxis situation, then held my breath. He was fine.

I have heard of people introducing peanuts I'm the car park of a&e, if it will make you feel safer I don't see why not!

I think it's quite common in this situation to sit in the carpark of a&e. I definitely considered it when my dd was weaning (had a milk allergy). If it makes you feel happier just do it. Who cares if it's a bit ott.

Glad I have come across this thread. recently started weaning & discovered that DD has a milk allergy after she broke out in hives. She had eczema and asthma runs in the family as well as hayfever so I too am concerned about her potentially being allergic to other foods inc peanuts etc.

Never thought to give it in hospital car park, as I have always wondered when to introduce it and what to do if she has a severe reaction.

Can I just ask OP in terms of the egg allergy, how did you introduce it? I'm new to all of this and am now fearful of introducing allergens.

Did you introduce as scrambled eggs or boiled?

Contacted my GP who basically said whatever I do, don't stop introducing allergens and exposing her to milk etc as the allergy can become worse and become anaphylactic.

Is this something anyone else has heard/experienced and how have you gone about it.

I have enquired about getting an allergy test done privately and have been quoted £600 at one clinic :(

@Tee20x My 4yo son has allergies to egg and cashews and I am kicking myself now that I’ve researched properly. Your GP is absolutely right that you should feed allergens early - it’s leaving it til later that potentially causes them. Just remember that they’re not very common. Baked egg isn’t enough to prevent allergies - it should be cooked egg, and aim to give before six months. My son had his first reaction to egg at about eight months and had previously only had baked egg.

Allergy tests are not necessarily helpful on their own and can throw up false positives.

OP, remember that the first exposure to an allergen is unlikely to cause a reaction. It’s subsequent exposures you should be mindful of. I’m scared to try out new foods with my 4 yo so I can’t be massively helpful here, but any time I have I’ve never reassured by the presence of our epi pens and an a&e nearby.

*but any time I have I’ve been reassured by the presence of our epi pens and an a&e nearby.

Some people put the new potential allergen on the back of the child's hand first to see if it produces a skin reaction.

@BrokenLink It’s not necessarily a good idea to expose the child to allergens before they ingest it. Exposure without ingestion has been linked to the development of allergies. I can’t remember where I was reading about that

Oh, after reading the above I wouldn't recommend this then but i read online that you should put a bit if peanut butter etc on the child's lip I.e. to expose the skin but not ingest.

@Tee20x

Can I just ask OP in terms of the egg allergy, how did you introduce it? I'm new to all of this and am now fearful of introducing allergens.

Did you introduce as scrambled eggs or boiled?

Contacted my GP who basically said whatever I do, don't stop introducing allergens and exposing her to milk etc as the allergy can become worse and become anaphylactic.

Is this something anyone else has heard/experienced and how have you gone about it.

I have enquired about getting an allergy test done privately and have been quoted £600 at one clinic :(

I just gave DS some boiled egg, mashed. It was obvious within a few minutes that he was allergic to it.

There is good weaning advice at allergyuk.org: www.allergyuk.org/weaning/supportpack Smearing a small amount of a food on to a baby's skin does NOT help identify allergens.

I wasn't so nervous about weaning my previous DC, it's just the cluster of risk factors with this one that makes it more risky. Maybe the car park approach is best, and get on with it ASAP rather than delaying. Thanks all.