Food to prevent allergy
A reader asks Dr Lee if there are any food that can prevent allergies.
Here is how to prevent food allergies from happening
We have a family history of allergies, what food can I give my baby to prevent allergies from happening? Should I deny seafood, eggs, nuts and wheat?
Well, the medical profession does not have an answer for you with regards to delaying allergenic food. The foods that you mentioned are actually very common causes of food allergy. Right now, we can say that there is no point in avoiding these foods, as it has not been shown to prevent food allergies. What is important is that the introduction of semi solids is recommended at 4-6 months of age. Before that, breastfeeding exclusively is highly recommended, but if that is not possible, then with a family history of allergies, mothers might want to consider using a partially hydrolyzed formula, which includes formulas that are available known as HA (Hypo-Allergenic) formulas.
About Dr Lee Bee Wah
Dr Lee Bee Wah is a Paediatrician from Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre. Dr Lee has a special interest in the areas of Paediatric Allergic Diseases, Epidemiology or allergy diseases in children, Allergen characterisation – and dust mite allergens, Probiotics in the prevention of allergic diseases and Childhood Vaccines.
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