How likely is it that your baby will develop an allergy?
Allergic conditions such as asthma, eczema, hayfever and food sensitivities are fairly commonplace with most of us knowing someone who suffers from them, or is a sufferer themselves. But you may not realise quite how prevalent it can be in infancy.
While food allergies affect around 8% of infants, and an incredible 40% of UK children have either asthma, eczema, hay fever or a food allergy, only 2-7.5% have cows’ milk protein allergy, which they usually grow out of by the age of three. According to Allergy UK , the leading medical charity for people with allergy, food intolerance and chemical sensitivity, children born into families where allergies already exist show a stronger than average chance of developing some too.
This genetic link is known as atopy and, by considering any existing allergies in your family, you can establish a level of risk for your baby. For example, the chances of atopy are increased if one parent or sibling has an allergy – further still if both parents have an allergy. And if both parents have the same type of condition, the risk increases again. However, even if your child is atopic, there’s nothing to say that they’ll develop the same allergies as you and your partner. Instead they’ll more than likely inherit the tendency towards being allergic rather than developing a specific type of allergy.
So, just because you have an allergy, it doesn’t necessarily mean your child will too. And likewise, if there’s no history of allergy in your family, there’s still a 1 in 5 chance that your child could develop one.
While genetics are involved in the cause of allergies, it is also widely accepted that the environment we live in can influence the development of allergies from an early age. Babies may be more sensitive to their surroundings and the things they come into contact with than older children as they still have an immature immune and digestive system. So it’s worth considering the following things from the very beginning:
Baby skin care
A newborn’s skin is very delicate and sensitive and the natural oils on the surface are there to protect it. For the first month using just plain water to wash and clean your baby’s skin, or when you change their nappy is thought to help avoid skin problems. The British Association of Dermatologists also recommends avoiding products that may irritate the skin, such as soap, detergents and wool. You should also try to avoid extremes in temperature too.
Clothing
In very rare cases the clothes your baby wears may cause an allergy, but if they experience irritation from a fabric you put next to their delicate skin it’s more likely to be caused by the clothes having been washed in a biological detergent. Opt for mild non-biological detergents instead and make sure you wash any new or second hand clothes before dressing your baby in the for the first time.
Air pollution
This doesn’t just mean the quality of the air outdoors! Your baby will be breathing in all sorts of chemicals we use at home on a daily basis, so it’s a good idea to avoid perfumes, deodorants, hairsprays and cleaning products in your baby’s room. Cigarette smoke should always be avoided too.
Breastfeeding
By breastfeeding your baby for at least the first 6 months of their life, you could be protecting them from illness as well as developing allergies. This is because breastmilk contains all the nutrients your baby needs along with antibodies from your immune system. But as natural as it is, some mums experience difficulties in the early days of breastfeeding. It’s always worth persevering with if you can, and remember our breastfeeding advisors are only a call away if you need any guidance and support.
In all allergy cases, early diagnosis and treatment makes managing the symptoms easier. So if you think your child has an allergy you should see your doctor for advice.
If there’s anything else you’d like to know about childhood allergies, our experts are here to help. Call us anytime on 0800 996 1000, or get in touch via our online messaging service Live Chat, available between 8am-8pm, Monday to Friday.