Do you remember how many of your school-day friends had food allergies? Likely, next to none. Now think about how many of your kids’ friends have some sort of food allergy — maybe it’s even your child who’s allergic to peanuts. The fact is, food allergies are on the rise in the U.S. and they affect more than 6 million children, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
There’s good news, though. Theories based on research may show how you can help avoid food allergies when it comes to your child.
One recent study showed that children whose parents lick their pacifier to clean it have lower incidences of allergies, indicating that childhood exposure to certain germs helps develop the immune system and provides protection against allergies and asthma. Additional research indicates that early exposure to certain foods, like eggs and peanuts, may help a child tolerate certain foods.
Dr. Sandra Hong, a Cleveland Clinic Respiratory Institute allergist, notes that while there haven’t been any recent changes in recommendations to protect kids against food allergies, she’s increasingly using a desensitization method for those who have already developed certain intolerances.
“Eighty percent of children can tolerate particular foods baked into products,” she says. “Those are the kids who are more likely to grow out of their allergies and develop a tolerance.”
However, it’s important to consult with your child’s allergist before you begin using this method.
