Minbao Food Allergy Reaction

The core essence of Minbao food allergic reactions is that the immune system mistakes specific food proteins entering the body as "invaders" and initiates a series of symptoms caused by abnormal immune attacks. Clinically, it is divided into IgE-mediated immediate reactions (the onset time is a few minutes to 2 hours, which can cause anaphylactic shock in severe cases) and non-IgE-mediated delayed reactions (the onset time is a few hours to a few days, and it is easily missed). It is the most common type of adverse food reaction in infants and young children under 1 year old, and is also the core difficulty of Minbao home care.

Last week, a new mother sent a private message to my backstage, saying that her baby ate strawberries for the first time. As soon as she swallowed half a mouthful, her lips immediately swelled into small sausages, and her eyes became red. She was so scared that her hands were shaking and she didn't know what to do. This is a typical immediate allergic reaction. In addition to swelling of the mucous membrane, there may also be large wheals all over the body, projectile vomiting, severe coughing, hoarseness, and difficulty breathing. If the following conditions occur, don't hesitate to call 120 and go to the emergency department directly. Don't waste time waiting at home.

I have to mention here that there are actually two voices in the pediatric allergy community regarding the timing of the introduction of highly allergenic foods. One is based on the conclusion of the 2015 LEAP study, which believes that regardless of whether there is a family history of allergies, highly allergenic foods such as peanuts and eggs can be gradually introduced at the age of 4 months. Early introduction can reduce the probability of allergies by more than 70%.； The other is a more conservative view. It is believed that for children with a history of allergies in first-degree relatives (parents or siblings with allergic rhinitis, asthma, food allergies), it is best to wait until they are 6 months old and the digestive system is more developed before introducing them one by one. Only add one type at a time, and observe for 3-7 days if there is no abnormality before adding the next type. Both views are supported by large sample clinical data. There is no absolute right or wrong. You can choose based on the actual situation of your own baby.

Compared with immediate reactions, which everyone is somewhat aware of, delayed allergies are the real pitfalls. I came across a particularly impressive case two years ago. The baby was 1 year and 8 months old and weighed only 16 kilograms, which was almost 10 kilograms lighter than a baby of the same month. The parents took him to several hospitals to check for digestion and trace elements, but no problems were found. Later, he went to the allergy department for a food-specific IgG test + oral provocation test, and it was discovered that he was allergic to beef. What a coincidence, you say. At that time, parents felt that their children were thin, so they gave them stewed beef soup and beef porridge every day to supplement their nutrition. This was equivalent to feeding their children "allergens" every day. All the nutrients they consumed were used to trigger immune responses, so how could they gain weight? The symptoms of this kind of delayed allergy are really too subtle. They may just be recurring dry eczema, tossing and turning in bed, long-term constipation or bloody diarrhea, or even just the height and weight not increasing for two or three months. Many parents will not think about allergies at all, and there are many cases of delayed growth and development of children.

Oh, by the way, don’t give your child food taboos as soon as you hear “allergy”. This is also the most common misunderstanding I have seen over the years. There was a parent who had a 10-month-old baby who was diagnosed with a milk protein allergy and never gave her a sip of milk or dairy products. As a result, the baby was already 8 years old and had already tolerated the challenge test, so he missed the golden period of calcium supplementation for growth. Publicly available clinical data shows that about 60% of children with milk protein allergies, 80% of egg allergies, and 50% of children with wheat allergies will tolerate it by themselves by school age. Only allergies such as peanuts, tree nuts, and seafood, about 20% will last a lifetime. Regarding post-allergic intervention, there are now two different ideas. One is the traditional "complete avoidance + regular review", which means not eating the food you are allergic to at all, and then taking a test after 3-6 months to see if you have tolerance. ； The other method now recommended by allergy specialists is "oral immune tolerance induction", which is to start with a very small amount of the allergen and give it to the baby under the supervision of a doctor, and slowly increase the amount to allow the immune system to gradually adapt. This method works faster, but it requires very rigorous operation. If you try it blindly at home, it will easily trigger severe allergies. Please don't follow suit.

Another point that many people are confused about is that food allergies and food intolerances are completely different things. Don’t just label your children as “allergic”. For example, many babies who drink milk and have diarrhea are actually lactose intolerance and lack of enzymes to break down lactose. This is not a problem with the immune system. In this case, just drink low-lactose milk or add lactase enzyme, and there is no need to stop milk at all. Some babies have red mouth after eating mango or kiwi. In fact, it is contact dermatitis stimulated by the fruit acid in the fruit. It is not an allergy. Just wash it off and apply some moisturizer. Do not let the baby touch such fruits in the future.

Really, raising Minbao is like unboxing a blind box. Every baby has different triggers and reaction levels. You don’t have to compare yourself with other people’s babies, and don’t just blindly copy what you see on the Internet as “Must-eat Minbao” or “Must-avoid Minbao”. Observe your baby’s state after eating more, and find a regular allergist for regular follow-up. This is more reliable than anything else. By the way, if your child has had a history of severe allergic reactions before, take my advice and be sure to bring an epinephrine pen with you. It can really save lives in critical moments. Don’t be too troublesome and don’t take chances.