Signs your Baby is Allergic to Bananas

Signs your Baby is Allergic to Bananas
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After a child is born the mother’s breast milk or formula is the primary source for energy and nutrients. But as the baby starts to get older new foods should be introduced. It is important to watch for signs of a food allergy when introducing new foods to babies. It is recommended to introduce new foods one-at-a-time so you can check for allergies.

Signs your Baby is Allergic to Bananas

The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition has recommended to start introducing solid foods in babies at around 6 months or later. This is because babies starting solids earlier are much more prone to exhibit food allergy signs to the new foods.

Bananas are one of the solid foods recommended to be introduced to babies. When introducing bananas for the first time to a baby watch for the following signs:

Skin problems: Skin is one of the places to watch for an allergic reaction to food. Red, swollen welts found anywhere on the body, especially around the mouth or tongue, are sure signs of allergies to bananas or any new food a mother may be giving to a baby. Watch for eczema, itching or swelling on the face.

Respiratory Tract: Babies allergic to bananas may have issues related to breathing that appear shortly after ingesting the food. Watch for problems with breathing such as wheezing, coughing and/or a stuffy/runny nose.

Gastrointestinal issues: The gastrointestinal tract may be another place where signs of a food allergy may show up. After giving bananas (or any new food) to babies you may watch for the following gastrointestinal problems: abdominal pain, general discomfort, fussiness, irritability, colic, bloating, gassiness (excess gas), cramping, nausea, and vomiting.

How to Diagnose an Allergy to Bananas

When a mother suspects a particular food allergy, a doctor can attempt to make a diagnosis with the following information:

  1. type of food suspected (for example bananas)

  2. signs (skin rashes, gastrointestinal issues, respiratory issues)

  3. how soon the signs appear (that is the time it took from eating a banana and the start of the symptoms)

  4. any known allergies that the mother and father have

With this information the doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis about allergies to bananas. However, a referral and visit to an allergy specialist may be required. Blood tests will be performed looking for levels of specific proteins in the blood that may indicate allergies to a particular food. Also, a skin test could be ordered. In these, food extracts (for example a banana extract) will be injected in the skin of the baby and the doctor will look for a reaction in the form of redness and swelling in and around the place where the injection was given.

References:

Food Allergies. By Jason Glaser, 2006, Capstone Press, 2006 ISBN 9780736863919

Food Allergies by WEB MD. https://www.webmd.com/allergies/foods-allergy-intolerance