When should I be worried about introducing allergens to my child’s diet?

It’s natural to feel anxious about introducing allergenic foods, but for most children, it’s safe when done gradually. You should seek advice from your paediatric allergist or GP before introducing allergens if your child has:

• severe eczema or uncontrolled skin flare-ups

• a known food allergy, or has reacted to a food before

• a strong family history of allergies, such as peanut, egg, or milk allergy

• other allergic conditions, such as asthma, that are not well controlled

If your child shows symptoms such as hives, swelling, vomiting, or difficulty breathing after eating a new food, stop immediately and seek medical help. Call 999 if symptoms are severe or affect breathing.

At Welbeck, our paediatric allergy specialists can assess your child’s risk level and, if needed, arrange skin prick testing or supervised food introduction in our clinic. This ensures allergens are introduced safely, with expert support and emergency care available if required.