Pregnancy
According to DrGreene.com, some health practitioners theorize that certain foods that you eat during pregnancy can increase your baby's risk of developing allergies, such as eczema and asthma. These foods include peanuts, wheat, soy, eggs and milk. At the same time, omega-3 fatty acids and yogurt consumed during pregnancy may help reduce the risk of your baby developing allergies. However, allergies are also hereditary, so avoiding certain foods does not guarantee that you will prevent allergies.
Babies
Breastfeeding may help reduce your baby's allergy risk. According to eufic.org, a baby who is fed nothing but breast milk for the first four months of her life has a reduced chance of developing milk allergies. If you supplement your baby's diet with breast milk through 18 months, she may have a reduced chance of skin allergies. It is also thought that introducing solid foods to your baby before the age of four months can cause her to develop skin allergies. However, these theories have not been fully proven. Talk to your pediatrician about breast feeding, formula feeding and introducing solids to your baby. Every baby is unique and may have different dietary needs. You especially want to be cautious if there are known food allergies in your family.
Childhood
According to eufic.org, your child's early dietary habits can affect his chance of developing allergies. Prebiotics and probiotics, such as those found in yogurt, stimulate the bacteria in your digestive tract to help build immunity to illnesses and diseases, such as those stemmed from allergies. Antioxidant-rich foods with vitamins E and C also help build your child's immune system and may help protect against allergies. Furthermore, according to eufic.org, a reduced-sodium diet and one rich in vegetables, fruits and magnesium may help ease your child's asthma symptoms. Call your pediatrician if your child has an unusual reaction to a certain food. Typical symptoms of an allergic reaction include facial swelling, itching, wheezing, rash and hives. If your child suddenly has breathing difficulties, take her to the emergency room. These steps are also pertinent to take during adulthood, as allergies can also develop later in life.
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