Shellfish Eggs, milk, and peanuts are the most common causes of food allergies in children, with wheat, soy, and tree nuts also included. Peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish commonly cause the most severe reactions. Nearly 5 percent of children under the age of five years have food allergies.
Consult your child's doctor for further information. Some children, under the direction of his or her health care provider, may be given certain foods again after three to six months to see if he or she has outgrown the allergy. Many allergies may be short-term in children and the food may be tolerated after the age of 3 or 4.
The development of food allergies cannot be prevented, but can often be delayed in infants by following these recommendations: If possible, breastfeed your infant for the first six months. Do not give solid foods until your child is 6 months of age or older. Avoid cow's milk, wheat, eggs, peanuts, and fish during your child's first year of life.
It is also important to give vitamins and minerals to your child if he or she is unable to eat certain foods. Discuss this with your child's doctor. For children who have had a severe food reaction, your child's health care provider may prescribe an emergency kit that contains epinephrine, which helps stop the symptoms of severe reactions.