One of the most prevalent food allergies is the allergy to nuts, and specifically peanuts give many problems; As in the case of other food allergies, the symptoms can manifest very seriously, and even make breathing difficult. The fact is that it seems that peanuts are actually legumes (although the manifestation of this allergy is similar to that caused by cashews, hazelnuts or pistachios), but for the case it is the same; Well, when you have an allergy to any food, the solution is to avoid it. The problem sometimes resides in the presence of traces or components derived from it, that is why it is important in addition to not offering it directly to the allergic person, check the labels well when we buy in the supermarket.
Now, do you remember this post of ours talking about a study that indicated how safe the introduction of peanut-containing products in the prevention of the development of allergies, well, again today we will delve into the question. Before, but, let's briefly review the mechanisms of food allergies. We read in Kids and Health that happen when an organism reacts as if a food were harmful to it; when this happens, the immune system makes antibodies [immunoglobulin E (IgE9)]; and at the same time they release histamine and other chemicals that cause the different symptoms.
Food allergies are mild, severe or very severe, even compromising the life of the person, hence the importance of avoiding the offending food, and training affected people and families in the treatment of an extreme reaction. Skin reactions such as redness, digestive such as vomiting, respiratory such as asthma attacks, or cardiovascular such as dizziness. The most committed manifestation is anaphylaxis, which occurs suddenly and puts the allergy sufferer at risk.
Allergy to peanuts, and nuts.
For quite some time, we have read advice on avoiding offering peanuts before 36 months (3 years), and in fact in the case of peanuts or dried fruitsIt is also advisable to consider how to administer them up to the age of five, since the danger of choking coexists. The fact is that any dried fruit can be crushed or included in soups or cakes, although returning to allergies, the new guidelines from the United States National Institutes of Health, they look like advise against delaying the introduction of peanuts in the diet of babies. The purpose is to prevent the appearance of allergies that place people in a vulnerable situation in the event of exposure to food.
The symptoms listed above, and others, can occur in different intensity, and their appearance depends on several factors such as other allergies suffered, previous sensitization, previous exposures, etc. Nut allergies can lead to a syndrome known as oral allergy (pruritus).. And cross allergies can predispose the presentation of anaphylaxis.
Guidelines from the National Institutes of Health (United States)
They have been published in the January issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. There are several studies reviewed and experts consulted, and the aforementioned publication is the most recent on the subject. Here are the main guidelines:
- Babies considered high risk (have severe eczema, egg allergy, or both). Experts have recommended the introduction of foods with peanuts between 4 and 6 months, to reduce the risk of developing an allergy to this food; in any case, a doctor should be consulted and the test carried out in the presence of the doctor or the parents
- Babies with mild or moderate eczema: Peanuts can be introduced around six months of age.
- Babies who have not developed eczema or do not have food allergies: Peanuts will be offered free in the diet, around six months. This group includes the majority of babies
All babies should try other solid foods before those with peanuts
So soon, the question arises about how it is possible to combine guideline 1 with current on breastfeeding (remember: exclusively up to 6 months). Because as we saw in this post in which we talked about the introduction of complementary feeding, from 6 months, other foods can be incorporated into the baby's diet, taking into account the presentation (crushed, pureed, grated ...), the appetite of the little ones, and their reaction to eating any food that is new for him.
This criterion, according to these new guidelines, would still be valid for groups 2 (mild or moderate eczema) and 3 (babies without problems). What I don't quite understand is if the recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding is applied in another way in children who have eczema, anticipating the peanut.
The new guidelines for introducing peanuts, are based on new data suggesting that allergy could be prevented by early introduction of foods. According to clinical trials, it is possible to reduce allergy development by up to 81 percent in babies who were considered high risk.