If your baby shows these symptoms, they may have a food allergy. Be sure to share these observations with your doctor.
Food allergies can appear at any age, even from the newborn period. For example, egg whites, cow's milk, soy, and wheat allergies are commonly seen before the 9th month.
What are the risky foods before 9 months?
Eggs:
Egg protein is responsible for the allergy. The egg white is more allergenic than the yolk. Specifically, proteins like ovalbumin and ovomucoid in the egg white play a role in the allergy. These proteins are heat-resistant, so even cooked eggs can cause allergies.
Cow’s milk:
This is a common food allergy in children, typically appearing in the first 6 months. In 85% of children, cow's milk allergy resolves by the age of 5.
A common mistake is to give other dairy products to babies with cow’s milk allergy. Babies with cow’s milk allergy should not consume yogurt, cheese, ayran, butter, margarine, cakes, or biscuits made with milk. Bottled formulas should also not be made with cow’s milk; instead, special formulas without cow’s milk protein should be used. Cereal allergies are also common.
Wheat:
Wheat allergies often present with skin reactions.
Sesame and soy:
The proteins in soybeans can cause allergies. Soy is commonly used as an additive in processed meats like salami and sausages, as well as in chocolate, ice cream, breakfast cereals, and baked goods. It is important to be cautious when using packaged products. Sesame, often used in baked goods and other food items, should also be avoided for babies with sesame allergies.
Fish and seafood:
While fish is a rich source of omega-3, due to the allergy risk, it should not be introduced before the 9th month. Fish can be carefully introduced after 1.5 years. Other seafood like squid, mussels, and shrimp should not be introduced before 1 year. It’s also advisable to avoid medicines containing fish oil.