Some of the typical sources of infant allergies include cow's milk protein, from infant formulas or passed from the mother's milk; house dust mites; and tobacco smoke, notes a June 2004 study reported in "Pediatric Allergy and Immunology." On exposure to these allergens, infants may experience severe colic, stomach pain or discomfort, skin rash such as eczema or hives, vomiting, diarrhea and respiratory symptoms such as wheezing and difficulty breathing, according to Healthy Children, a website of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Avoiding Food Allergies
Completely avoiding the offending substance is the primary treatment of infant allergies. For breastfed infants, changing the mother's diet to completely eliminate all sources of cow's milk protein and other potential sources of food allergens may reduce symptoms of allergies in the baby, notes a special report published in the July 1999 issue of the journal "Archives of Disease in Childhood." According to this report, bottle-fed infants with a milk allergy should not be fed goat's, sheep's or soy milk because these sources can elicit the same allergic reactions as cow's milk. Instead, completely hydrolyzed infant formulas are the recommended treatment for infants with allergies.
Avoiding Airborne Allergies
House dust mites and tobacco smoke may elicit respiratory symptoms in infants with allergies to them so it is important to reduce or eliminate exposure to these allergens. Several ways to reduce exposure include using allergen-proof crib covers, keeping humidity low, buying washable stuffed toys and designating the home as a nonsmoking area.
Allergy Medication
Infants as young as 3 months old with symptoms of skin allergies such as hives, itching and rashes may benefit from corticosteroid skin creams, according to a March 2010 study in the journal "SkinMed." However, a study published in the "Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology" found that inhaled corticosteroids are not as effective on infants with allergies as they usually are on older children and adults. Parents of infants with allergies should consult with their child's allergist for the best treatment options.
References
- "Pediatric Allergy and Immunology"; Prevention of allergic disease in childhood; S. Halken; June 2004
- Healthy Children: Infant Allergies and Food Sensitivities
- "Archives of Disease in Childhood"; Dietary products used in infants for treatment and prevention of food allergy; July 1999
- "SkinMed"; Hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1% lipocream in pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis; W. Abramovits, H. Oquendo; March 2010
- "Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology"; Factors that affect the efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids for infants and young children; I. Amirav et al.; June 2010
