Our Guide to the Latest Research on Early Allergen Introduction
Learn more about new research on early allergen introduction and what it means for your family
With food allergies on the rise, it’s exciting that parents now have new ways to try to prevent food allergies. But with all of this new research on food allergy prevention, it can be overwhelming for parents of infants to know exactly what the recent groundbreaking studies mean for their families. That’s why we put together this guide, so that parents can walk away armed with knowledge about these landmark studies and help reduce their children's risk of developing food allergies by up to 80%.
What Parents Need To Know
Three landmark studies showed that introducing allergenic foods early and often can help prevent up to 81% of food allergies. Learn more about these landmark studies below:
So What Does This Mean For Families with Infants?
The science is clear: you can help reduce your infant's risk of developing food allergies by up to 80% through early and sustained allergen introduction. But how can families achieve this? Here are our 5 tips for how you can safely and effectively follow the guidance from these landmark studies:
For Infants with Eczema: Infants with eczema are at 4x higher risk for developing food allergies (assuming no other risk factors like family history), therefore, early allergen introduction is strongly recommended. However, please consult with your pediatrician if your child has severe eczema, as an allergy screening may be required first.
Don’t Delay, Start at 4-11 Months of Age: There is a critical immunologic window during which food allergies can be prevented, so it's ideal for parents to begin early allergen introduction starting at 4-11 months of age. Findings from multiple studies suggest that delaying introduction may put your child at a higher risk for developing a food allergy.
Stepwise Introduction: Maximize safety with a stepwise approach (as shown in the PETIT study) - starting off with a low dose and gradually increasing to a higher maintenance dose.
Introduce Peanut, Egg, and Milk for Best Results: Not only do these represent the most common childhood food allergies, but studies indicate that with early introduction, there can be a significant reduction in the development of an allergy to these foods.
Sustain Exposure for Several Months: The results from the landmark studies were achieved through sustained exposure, meaning that participants were exposed to allergenic foods multiple times a week for several consecutive months.
Learn more about the landmark studies mentioned above on our Prevention page.
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All health-related content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your own pediatrician in connection with any questions regarding your baby’s health.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
