I was just watching the today show and they had a segment on allergies and anaphylaxis reactions to foods ect. The woman said that the occourance rate in the last 10 yrs increased 5 times!

what do you think the reason is for this?

I was thinking that it comes back to the old argument of when to introduce solids& food groups- Is 6 months and older too late?

I remember when i was at school i knew of 1 person who had a nut allergy.. i find so many kids now have allergies.

im sure that there is studies been done but i couldnt belive it when she said how much it has risen.

IMO i don't think its because introducing foods at 6 months is too late but because we don't introduce enough of the foods at that age eg peanuts. I was watching something, where in a 3rd world country they mainly eat peanut soup the number of people with allergies to peanut is pretty low. Maybe the body needs it at a young age to develop an immunity to it? I don't know but someone should be researching into it.

I agree with 2 bubblyboys and the fact that so much is avoided while pregnant and breastfeeding.

I think there needs to be a balance. I avoided foods and drinks that could cause birth defects and illness. I didn't stay away from peanuts as we have no history of allergies in my family. I won't give dd2 any peanut butter until 12 months, but I do eat it while breastfeeding. Eggs i'll try her on at about 9 months. Dairy wise she has had yogurt, a little cheese, and tried cheese sauce last night. I'm not going to give her cows milk to drink until later when she is eating more. Fish and seafood I can't stand. She'll be introduced the same way dd1 was- off daddy's plate at about 12 months, though she'll want to try it sooner.

She has eczema so I do watch for reactions, but it seems to be related to soaps and grass etc.

I think we do have to be careful when it comes to allergies, I don't pack dd1 peanut but sandwiches when we go out as that's a serious risk to allergic kids. But I agree more research needs to be done and is being done into allergies.

A theory I just thought of.....
are more Caucasian kids allergic to peanuts? I know dairy allergy is more common in some groups.

Posted by: nmjs
I agree with 2 bubblyboys and the fact that so much is avoided while pregnant and breastfeeding.

Good Point! i totally forgot about that.

Vsmummy I think thats where people go wrong. Its ok to introduce things before 12 months. My son has had multiple allergies and a family history of nuts and fish. The tols us to wait till 12 months before introduing them but doing it then. It is and should be introdued before then.

Your right with the eczem its rarely food related. I hope she grows out of it soon ecuase its a horrible thing.

I agree that it's not at the age that solids are introduced (DD1 was 7 months and DD2 was 8.5 months and have no allergies) it's more the length of time that taboo foods are not introduced that worries me..

I hope with more research they can work out why there are so many allergies around.. Back when I was at school, no one had allegies and if they did it was to things like penicillin. (that's my only allergy)

Posted by: joeysmummy

Posted by: nmjs
I agree with 2 bubblyboys and the fact that so much is avoided while pregnant and breastfeeding.

Good Point! i totally forgot about that.

We just have to remeber why some foods such as cold meats and pre-prepared salads, alcohol, soft serve are avoided. This is what I meant by some things causes death, birth defects etc. I think it's easy to get confused with all the advice out there.

Posted by: nmjs
Vsmummy I think thats where people go wrong. Its ok to introduce things before 12 months. My son has had multiple allergies and a family history of nuts and fish. The tols us to wait till 12 months before introduing them but doing it then. It is and should be introdued before then.

Your right with the eczem its rarely food related. I hope she grows out of it soon ecuase its a horrible thing.

Her skin is much better. We don't bath her everyday and that seems to help. as I tell mum we change her underwear regulary, sorry bad joke.

I think dd1 was about 12 months with peanut butter, but she might have stollen my toast earlier. It's more that i'm not going to put it on her sandwich yet if that makes sence? She's getting through my milk, we eat it most days at home so it in her diet not on plate though if that makes sence? I think because I don't eat seafood myself, I tend not to give it to the girls. I'll have to asked dh about giving her some of his fish. Dd1 thankfully loves, I get left out some times because i'm a fuss pot.

IMO the only things that should be avoided while pregnant are raw fish and soft cheeses (besides the obvious alchol and ciggarettes). The risk of getting a bacteria from cold meats is very very low for anyone let alone the off chance of being pregnant at the time. Yes if you do get it cna causes defects and death in the unborn baby. My ousin mangaged to get an ecoli bacteria from suspeted fruit or vege while pregnant. Her kidneys started to fail shes been on antibiotics since the start of pregnany when she got it. shes gone into early labour once at 27weeks. Managed to stop it, her kidnies started to fail again the antibiotics werent doing anything. She was told she would need iv antibiotics for the rest of her pregnancy. Thankfully oral anitbiotics have finally started to work with 9 weeks to go. My point is the risk of this happening is very small yet it happenend we arent going to avoid fruit and vege (where its rare to get ecole bacteria from) beause it ould happpen.

ETA yes I know what you mean, I too wouldnt put it on her sandwich but do what you do and still let her taste it and experience it.
[Edited on 22/01/2010]

Something interesting about prepared salads. The factory where most of what you buy from the deli or fridge section, well pretty much most of your wet stuff, is kept as spotless as humanly possible. Products are tested at each stage, if there not or levels of anything are to high the product is dumped. But the fact that it has to come from the farm, other factories, get chopped or cooked get mix, and packed and transported to the point of sale leaves it open for more risk. The trouble they go to in maintaining the right temps.

A normal healthy non pregnant person if they're unlucky enough to get something that wasn't put in the fridge soon enough might get an upset tummy, but if your pregnant or ill it's to much on your body.

I get what you mean about you can't avoid anything. It almost comes down to relying on to much pre-prepared stuff increasing the risks.

She doesnt eat the packaged stuff but yeah thats it you cant stop eating evrything. Yep I think we have all gotten to lazy lol and take the easy option. Its funny its the first time I'vwe evr heard about avoiding prepackaged salads. After thinking abbout it I would def avoid it but not cold meat lol

Posted by: nmjs
She doesnt eat the packaged stuff but yeah thats it you cant stop eating evrything. Yep I think we have all gotten to lazy lol and take the easy option. Its funny its the first time I'vwe evr heard about avoiding prepackaged salads. After thinking abbout it I would def avoid it but not cold meat lol

Lets just say after dd2 was born and dh went back to work I was hitting him up for salads lol. I don 't miss ham or anything when pregnant because I love toasted sandwiches, but I miss my creamy pasta salad lol. Funny it's whent I can't have it that I miss it.

Its fuuny im talking to a friend on fb and she wont give her ds honey because she read not till they are 2..the same with oranges. I gooogled it and it said 1 but anyway lol. Y eah I raved coke and chilli while bf! They were a definete no no. I'm not a big old meat fan but ate alot of abanosi and what got to me was somebody saying you know you shouldnt be eating that

well, i am not actually convinced that the incidences have increased.

IMO - we (as in us parents & the medical practitioners) are more aware of it these days & when there seems to be a problem we run off for testing, hence being able to track statistics. I will be more convinced in another 10 years time when someone says that as there is more statistical data for me to look at.

I say this because i have 2 children that have had allergies. Now when i had DS (now 11), had was lactose intollerant. Throghout my pregnancy i could not drink cows milk, or consume any dairy product as it made me violently ill, as in projectile vomiting. DS born, same thing. Made an appointment at the childrens hospital in sydney to have him tested, no waiting list, picked an appointemtn time that was convenient to me. Verdict - lactose intollerant. Replace all dairy with the soy varieties..

Fast forward to a couple of years ago. Pregnant with DD, CRAVED milk & all things dairy - exact opposite of last pregnancy. DD is born, has MPA. Must avoid all things dairy, soy, or any derivative of these. Go to make the appointment at the same hospital for the same testing & there is now a 3 month wait!!

I am in no way saying that the person on the today show is incorrect, clearly they are right, but, is it just because we are more aware of these things, or is there actually a higher increase??

i think we need to have a longer statistical study.

I'm with you Chilliwoman. I'm not 100% convinced that people with allergies have increased. Maybe its more known about them now

I don't think it has anything to do with avoiding foods in pregnancy. Studies haven't found any conclusive link between avoiding foods in pregnancy or early in life and developing allergies.

I think it's mainly to do with the fact that parents and doctors are more aware of the symptoms. Doctors are MUCH better at diagnosing food allergies and intolerances these days. But 10 years ago alot of these allergies and intolerances went undiagnosed. It took 10 years to work out I have food allergies. Most commonly you are diagnosed with chronic fatigue, IBS or reflux when in reality these are symptoms NOT conditions.

I also think the higher consumption of processed foods play a part too. The amount of poeple with allergies probably hasn't increased much, if at all. Just the amount diagnosed.
[Edited on 22/01/2010]

GKN- Studies have been done and some links have been found. Our ECHN gave us information on it because my 14 motnh old has had multiple allergies.

Posted by: nmjs
GKN- Studies have been done and some links have been found. Our ECHN gave us information on it because my 14 motnh old has had multiple allergies.

Yes, but no conclusive links. Meaning they can't say to us 100% not to avoid certain foods. I would think feeding a baby solids before their digestive system is ready will cause alot more problems than waiting. I was started on solids at 3 months. I'm thinking about doing my paper on food allergies this year, I think it will be very interesting.

I have no evidence to back this up, but I believe the reason why dd1 suffers from certain food allergies and has such bad reactions to mosquitos & bity insects is because she was born 5 weeks early.

I have no idea when these things are developed in pregnancy but since having dd2 who was born full term and so far seems to have no allergies, its all I can put it down to.

But like I said, I have no evidence to back this up, just a gut feeling.

Posted by: gkn
I would think feeding a baby solids before their digestive system is ready will cause alot more problems than waiting.

I can't agree with this either, as both my children were diagnosed with their allergies by 6 weeks of age. Clearly i wasnt feeding my babies solids at that time, so thier allergies arent related to feeding before or after 6 months.

I know there are always exceptions to the general 'rules' & this is probably where my 2 fit in, but we cant pidgeon hole feeding solids or avioding certain foods during pregnancy/breastfeeding as the cause of allergies.

All the specialists that we have been to thro the years, have not been able to give us any reason as to why this happens other than "it just does with some kids".

I think that you doing a paper on it would be a fantastic idea. Maybe you can discover something that no-one else has yet!!

My DD suffers from multiple food allergies and we only recently took her to a Naturopath to see what he could do for her, as modern medicine really isn't helping anymore. They just give you an epi-pen and away you go.

He said that in the past 15 years, food allergies have increased by 600%...... SIX HUNDRED PERCENT!! He puts it down to the processed crap that is added to food and the fact that most people choose packaged options over fresh now a days. But also they add things to fresh fruit and veg to make them grow quicker and things too.

And allergies are hereditary too so because they are becoming more common, more children are getting them too. Its a snowball effect.

Good news is that our Naturopath said he can help my DD. So far so good too! YAY!

Posted by: Chiliwoman

Posted by: gkn
I would think feeding a baby solids before their digestive system is ready will cause alot more problems than waiting.

I can't agree with this either, as both my children were diagnosed with their allergies by 6 weeks of age. Clearly i wasnt feeding my babies solids at that time, so thier allergies arent related to feeding before or after 6 months.

I know there are always exceptions to the general 'rules' & this is probably where my 2 fit in, but we cant pidgeon hole feeding solids or avioding certain foods during pregnancy/breastfeeding as the cause of allergies.

All the specialists that we have been to thro the years, have not been able to give us any reason as to why this happens other than "it just does with some kids".

I think that you doing a paper on it would be a fantastic idea. Maybe you can discover something that no-one else has yet!!

I agree with you. Sorry I didn't mean to make it sound like that's the only reason. It was just an example, it seems it would be more likely to develop an allergy or intolerance from early solids rather than avoiding.

Of course there are other reasons, genetics plays a huge role. Then there are exceptions. I have multiple allergies and no one in my family has any, although there was the very early solids for me.

Posted by: gkn

I agree with you. Sorry I didn't mean to make it sound like that's the only reason. It was just an example, it seems it would be more likely to develop an allergy or intolerance from early solids rather than avoiding.

Of course there are other reasons, genetics plays a huge role. Then there are exceptions. I have multiple allergies and no one in my family has any, although there was the very early solids for me.

LOL
no worries.

There is another thing as well. Are they pidgeon holeing (if that is actually a saying) allergies & intollerances into one group?

An intollerance isnt a true allergy where a true allergy is just that.

Myself & DS have a lactose intollerance where DD has a protein allergy. Very similar, yet hugely different at the same time. When i tell people that she cant have any dairy or soy, they say "oh she's lactose intollerant". Um no. she has a dairy & soy allergy, then i have to go on to explain that the size of the protein chains in dairy & soy products are too big for her body to break down, blah, blah, blah... half the time i think people think i am full of s**t. LOL

Also do any of you reckon that we are all more aware of allergies than what our parents were when we were babies therefore making certain allergies more common? I hope you know what I mean.

For instance, I was diagnosed as a child to suffer excema but when I asked my mum about it she wasnt told it was because of x, y or z...she was just told that I had sensitive skin. Nowadays, if kids get excema (my dd1 included) we're told to lay of dairy or certain other foods because they have an allergy to it.

I do believe that there is a link between overprocessing foods which has caused a huge increase in certain allergies but I do also think that some of the lesser problematic allergies have been misdiagnosed and therefore not reported as an actual allergy.

your thoughts?

Posted by: mumofstellaandzara
Also do any of you reckon that we are all more aware of allergies than what our parents were when we were babies therefore making certain allergies more common?

absolutely. hence the spike in the statistical data.

Posted by: mumofstellaandzara
For instance, I was diagnosed as a child to suffer excema but when I asked my mum about it she wasnt told it was because of x, y or z...she was just told that I had sensitive skin. Nowadays, if kids get excema (my dd1 included) we're told to lay of dairy or certain other foods because they have an allergy to it.

absolutely - there has been plenty of research into treatment/cause & effect & that is why we now know to avoid certain foods with certain conditions. I dont necessarily believe that people with eczema have an allergy to dairy, maybe more that they have an intollerance - but i dont know, i am not a doctor/scientist or specialist.

Posted by: mumofstellaandzara
I do believe that there is a link between overprocessing foods which has caused a huge increase in certain allergies but I do also think that some of the lesser problematic allergies have been misdiagnosed and therefore not reported as an actual allergy.

yep - me too. however, i see the lesser problematic allergies as being intollerances, so yes, i think they are being misdiagnosed as well. Surely all those chemicals that they put in the soil to make our food grow quicker, bigger, redder etc cant be good for us? But htat is a whole nother thread. LOL

Mumofstellaandzara- you will find most drs will not say eczema is caused bya certain food because int he majority of cases its not,its environmental.

I agree that starting a baby on solids before theya re ready cna lead to problems but I also believe leaving certain foods to long causes alot of problems because your body goes into shock. I also believe that the introduction of alot of preservatives and crap into our food cayuses a hell of alot of problems. I do not believe there has been a huge increase in allergies. I think people are putting the blame on certain foods when its actuall additives and preservatives and then I also think its just an overload of these preservatives and additives, not a true allergy.

Sorry for sounding dumb lol but what do you mean doing your paper onm food allergies? I agree that would be very interesting

Both you girls are right and where things are labled as allergies they are in fact only intollerances.

As for the whole debate about when to start certain foods, well with me at least I didnt bow to my mums & my mils persitant nagging and start dd1 early on solids. I waited till she was 6 months as she's always had bit of an immature gut, especially when she was so tiny and never took to bf (she had a NGT in the nicu and was fed from a bottle from day 3 by the nurses which was not my choice).

I'm now getting the same ol' nags...when are you starting dd2 on solids???? grrr so annoying and especially as I've explained that we dont/didnt want to start the girls on solids too early because of allergies/intollerences.

Forgot to mention that dd1 must be one of the "lucky" ones that does have an excema reaction to cows milk. She also suffers from it environmentally too.

When she used to be on 2 or 3 bottles a day of cows milk her excema flared up to the point she had broken ichy skin. I did some research and took her to the gp who also agreed that milk may be the cause of it. After taking her completely off dairy for a few weeks, her excema was 90% gone.

She now only has about 200mls a day of cows milk and her excema is under control.

When we had those horrible dust storms a while back her excema was off the chart again so its definately environmental as well.