What causes food allergies?
Allergies are the result of incorrect decisions by the immune system. In infancy, immature immune systems must quickly learn what is safe and what is not, and sometimes they get it wrong.
Many changes in our modern diet, lifestyle and environment are likely contributing to the current allergy epidemic.
What are the most common food allergies?
While any food can trigger an allergic reaction, more than 90 per cent of childhood food allergies in Australia are caused by common foods like eggs, milk, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, fish, and shellfish. Allergies to egg, milk, sesame, soy, and wheat are often temporary, with many children outgrowing them. However, allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish are usually lifelong.
Our research impact:
Two studies led by researchers from The Kids Research Institute Australia, which explored the timing of egg introduction in infants' diets, have contributed to national and international guidelines on infant feeding and allergy prevention.
Our team is also conducting the Nuts for Babies Study, investigating whether a mother’s nut intake during breastfeeding affects her baby’s risk of developing food allergies. For more information or to get involved, please visit www.thekids.org.au/nuts-for-babies
Preventing food allergy
For up-to-date information on allergies and how to reduce the risk of food allergy visit:
- https://www.allergy.org.au
- https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/allergy-prevention/ascia-how-to-introduce-solid-foods-to-babies
- https://preventallergies.org.au/
*If you have concerns that your child has a food allergy, please seek medical advice.
