How to Spot Anaphylaxis in Babies
Learn the signs of anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction) and what to do if your baby develops anaphylaxis.
Patient EducationJul | 19 | 2019
The two most important parts of managing food allergies confidently are prevention and being prepared for emergencies. Learn more from Michael Pistiner, MD, director of the Food Allergy Advocacy, Education and Prevention in the Food Allergy Center at Mass General for Children.
A food allergy is a when your immune system (the system in your body that fights off germs and illnesses) mistakes a certain type of food as something dangerous. When this happens, your child might develop a number of symptoms, including a rash or hives, swelling of the lips, eyes or tongue, trouble breathing, dizziness or nausea. Symptoms can happen within minutes or hours of eating a certain food.
A food allergen is a food that your child is allergic to. The eight most common food allergens include:
The two most important parts of managing food allergies with confidence are prevention and being prepared for emergencies.
Age and developmental stage play an important role in food allergy management:
Cross-contact is when a food allergen touches another surface or food that is typically safe for your child. Common sources of cross-contact include:
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can happen within minutes of coming into contact with an allergen. If not treated right away, anaphylaxis can be life-threatening. If your child develops anaphylaxis after eating a food allergen, give epinephrine with an auto-injector and call 911. Follow your anaphylaxis emergency care plan!
Symptoms of anaphylaxis can be different in every person. Sometimes, symptoms of anaphylaxis can be different every time a person has a reaction. Symptoms may include:
Rev. 6/2018. The information on this webpage is intended to provide health information so that you can be better informed. It is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to treatment of any medical conditions.
Patient resources for the Food Allergy Center
Learn the signs of anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction) and what to do if your baby develops anaphylaxis.
A food challenge is the most definitive procedure for testing whether someone can tolerate a specific food. A challenge involves giving increasing amounts of food every 10-20 minutes.
Introducing peanut products to your baby early in life can help protect him from developing a peanut allergy later in life. In this handout, you will learn how to introduce peanut products.
Learn the signs of anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction) and what to do if your baby develops anaphylaxis.
A food challenge is the most definitive procedure for testing whether someone can tolerate a specific food. A challenge involves giving increasing amounts of food every 10-20 minutes.
Introducing peanut products to your baby early in life can help protect him from developing a peanut allergy later in life. In this handout, you will learn how to introduce peanut products.
Learn the signs of anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction) and what to do if your baby develops anaphylaxis.