About eight percent of babies have food-related allergies, according to MayoClinic.com. Rashes, such as hives and eczema are one of the most common symptoms of a food allergy in a baby. The most common food allergy in infants is a milk allergy, considering babies do not eat many other foods, according to DrPaul.com. If you suspect your baby is having an allergic reaction to a specific food, talk with the pediatrician to determine the cause. Most babies outgrow food allergies by the age of three. Other than avoidance and outgrowing the allergy, there is no other cure for a food allergy.
About Food Allergy
If a baby has an allergy to a particular food, his body's immune system malfunctions when the food is consumed, according to the Baby Center. For example, if a baby has a milk allergy and consumes milk, his immune system mistakes the proteins found in milk as harmful substances. The immune system will attack the milk protein, producing antibodies and histamine to ward off the protein. The release of these chemicals causes common food allergy symptoms, including skin rashes.
Eczema
The two most common baby rashes from a food allergy are eczema and hives. Eczema is an allergic skin rash that mainly affects babies and young children. Eczema is triggered by various factors including foods, environmental pollution and dryness, according to FamilyDoctor.org. Eczema appears as small, red blisters that can weep and crack open in extreme cases.
Hives
Hives is another rash in babies from a food allergy. Hives form in clusters with clearly defined borders. Hives tend to be extremely itchy and are worsened when scratched.
Other Symptoms
If the baby has a genuine food allergy, she will develop other signs and symptoms alongside a skin rash, according to MayoClinic.. If the baby has an exclusive rash without any other symptoms, have the baby evaluated by a doctor. Other food allergy symptoms include extreme fussiness, inconsolable crying, vomiting and diarrhea. In rare cases, a milk allergy can lead to anaphylactic shock, a condition that could be deadly. If the child becomes unconscious or is pale in color, call 911.
Treatment
DrPaul.com states that the best treatment for a bottle-fed baby with a milk allergy is to remove cow's milk products from the baby's diet. Use soy or rice-based formulas to feed the baby. If the baby is breast-fed, the mother should stop consuming cow's milk products. In severe cases, a pediatrician may prescribe antihistamines or epinephrine in case the baby accidentally consumes milk products.
