New Guidelines on How to Avoid Peanut Allergies

The National Institutes of Health published new guidelines on how to avoid peanut allergies. Specialists recommend that babies should eat nuts starting around the age of six months. The new guidance represents an important shift in a country where peanut allergies represent the most dangerous food allergies. Dr. Matthew Greenhawt of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology is also a member of the NIH-appointed panel which developed the new requirements to Associated Press.

He pointed out that medicine is on the verge of attaining the goal to prevent the development of a huge number of peanut allergy cases. Based on the data gathered by Associated Press, the new instructions are based on landmark study. This research revealed that early exposure to peanut is more likely to protect the child from developing allergies which could follow them their whole lives.

The new requirements specify exactly how to introduce little children to peanut products appropriate for their age, depending on whether they are at low, moderate or high risk of developing allergies as they grow. Infants who presented a high risk due to their skin rash or egg allergy will need a check-up before they are fed any nuts.

These children may get their first taste of peanuts in the doctor’s office to make sure they are safe if any allergic effect occurs. Thus the doctor will be able to intervene at any moment. For other infants who do not present a high risk of allergies, parents may try to introduce foods containing peanuts just like they first introduced mushed peas or oatmeal.

The guidelines explicitly state that before being exposed to peanuts, babies should have already been exposed to other types of solid foods to make sure that they are ready concerning their development. Kids who present a moderate risk of developing allergies who may have milder eczema can be treated with several types of creams. Parents can start exposing them to peanuts at the age of six months.

Specialists argue that most infants present a very low risk of developing any allergies. In this case, parents are advised to feed their babies peanut-containing foods and other solid foods around the age of six months. Peanuts should become part of their diet, children being fed nuts approximately three times per week.

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