ABC News reports that the American Academy of Pediatrics had long recommended that parents delay the introduction of common allergens like dairy, eggs and nuts until a child is 2 or 3 years old. But, in January 2008, the organization reversed its stance after clinical studies showed no benefit to the delay.
“After 4 to 6 months of age, there is a lack of good evidence that avoidance of specific highly allergenic foods can alter future allergies and allergic conditions,” said Dr. Clifford Bassett, assistant clinical professor of medicine and otolaryngology at SUNY-Health Sciences Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. This doesn’t mean that any young child should start eating peanut butter at any given time. If there is a history of food allergies in the family, or the child has already reacted to other products, like milk and eggs, there could be a higher risk for a peanut allergy.
Dr. Bassett said it’s important to have a food allergy action plan, created by an allergist, in place for home, school and camp to familiarize everyone on how to handle a reaction. “In our practice, we recommend that an individual at risk of a food allergy have a food allergen ingredient card for eating outside of the home in order to reduce accidental exposure to the suspect foods,” Dr. Bassett said. CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY ON ABC NEWS – HEALTH
