Eczema is a term for several different types of skin swelling and irritation. Doctors often refer to eczema as dermatitis or atopic dermatitis. Most types of eczema cause dry, itchy skin and rashes. Eczema can be on the face, inside the elbows, behind the knees, and on the hands and feet. Scratching the skin can cause it to turn red, and to swell and itch even more.

FAQs Archive - FoodAllergyPrevention.org

Q: Should a pregnant or breastfeeding mom avoid eating food allergens?

Doctors and researchers do not believe that eating food allergens during pregnancy or while breastfeeding will increase or decrease a baby’s risk of food allergy. Therefore, pregnant and breastfeeding moms should focus on eating healthy foods.

Q: Does breastfeeding have an impact on whether my baby develops a food allergy?

Although breastfeeding has many benefits for both mother and baby, we do not know if breastfeeding alone can reduce your baby’s risk of food allergy. This is why early introduction of infant-safe peanut foods and other top allergen food s is recommended.

Q: What is the best age to start feeding food allergens to my baby?

Every baby is different, but many babies are ready to eat solid foods between 4 and 6 months of age. We know that earlier is better for preventing food allergies. So, as long as your baby is ready to safely eat solid foods, you can start feeding your baby infant safe forms of peanut foods and other top allergen foods as early as 4 months of age. For the best chance at preventing a food allergy, foods should be introduced before your baby is 6 months old. And remember, you need to keep feeding these foods to your baby weekly. Once is not enough.

Q: How often do I need to feed peanut foods to my baby to help prevent food allergy?

Researchers are still debating the best schedule for feeding peanut foods. But we do know that once is not enough. It is important to continue to feed peanut foods 2 or 3 times a week once you start.

Q: What are infant-safe peanut foods?

Creamy peanut butter and peanut powder, if prepared correctly, are excellent infant-safe peanut foods! If using peanut butter, you MUST always thin it first. Stir 2 teaspoons of creamy peanut butter into either pureed food or 2-3 teaspoons of water, breast milk or infant formula. If using peanut powder, stir 2 teaspoons of powder into a pureed food. You can also moisten the powder with a small amount of water, breast milk, or formula. Remember, never feed your baby whole peanuts, chunky peanut butter, or peanut butter straight from the jar. These are choking hazards. For more tips on feeding peanut-containing foods to your baby, see the handout created by the US National Institutes of Health: Instructions for Home Feeding of Peanut Protein for Infants at Low Risk of an Allergic Reaction to Peanut .

Q: My baby has never had peanut foods before. How should I start?

Once your baby has safely eaten other solid or pureed foods, feeding infant-safe peanut-containing foods is a good idea. But peanut should NOT be your baby's first solid food. Start by picking a time when your baby is healthy and can have your full attention for at least 2 hours. This will let you watch for an allergic reaction. Prepare an infant-safe peanut food and offer your baby a small amount on the end of a baby spoon. Creamy peanut butter mixed with breast milk, formula, or water is a good place to start. After your baby has tried the peanut food, wait 10 minutes and watch for an allergic reaction. If your baby doesn’t have any symptoms of an allergic reaction after 10 minutes, offer your baby the rest of the peanut-containing food. In rare cases reactions can happen up to 2 hours after eating peanuts, so keep an eye on your baby. That’s it!

Q: How do I know if my baby will have food allergies?

All babies have some risk of developing a food allergy. And there is no way to tell for sure whether or not your baby will develop a food allergy. About 1 in 13 children in the United States will develop a food allergy. If your baby has severe eczema this increases the chance of developing a food allergy. So, it is even more important to take early steps to prevent peanut allergy and other food allergies. If your baby has severe eczema speak with your baby’s doctor before giving your baby top allergen foods, which in the United States are peanut, egg, milk, tree nuts, soy, sesame, fish, shellfish, and wheat.

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