How long does it take for a baby’s food allergy to subside?

Most mild food allergic reactions can completely subside in a few hours to three days as long as the allergens are avoided in time. If persistent allergic symptoms such as eczema and chronic diarrhea have already occurred, it may take 1 to 2 weeks or even longer to completely improve. There are also a few allergies caused by specific allergens that may last into adulthood or even lifelong.

My best friend's 1-year-old and 2-month-old baby took a bite of my sister's mango because she was greedy. Within half an hour, the corner of her mouth turned red, and a dense rash broke out. She quickly applied it with a cold towel, and never touched the mango again. The rash disappeared that night, leaving only a little mark, and there was no trace at all when she woke up the next day. This is a typical mild contact allergy, which recedes very quickly.

However, if the allergic reaction has already affected the digestive tract or respiratory tract, or it has been delayed for a while before the allergen is discovered, the time to subside will be much longer. I met a 6-month-old baby in an exchange group for mothers. His milk protein allergy was not discovered at first. He had loose stools for almost two weeks, and the eczema on his body kept getting better and longer. Later, after the diagnosis, he switched to deeply hydrolyzed milk powder, and all complementary foods avoided milk ingredients. It took more than three weeks to completely return to normal.

Nowadays, many parents think that "allergies will disappear when the baby grows up." This statement is actually controversial. Many pediatricians believe that it should be discussed on a case-by-case basis. About 80% of babies with high incidence of allergens in infants and young children, such as milk, eggs, and wheat, will gradually develop immune tolerance by the age of 3 to 5 years old. To put it bluntly, the immune system gradually gets to know these foods, knowing that "this is a food that you do not need to attack", and you will not be allergic to it if you eat it later.； However, more than half of the population will be allergic to allergens such as peanuts, nuts, and seafood for life, and they will never be able to wait for the day of "self-healing".

Pay more attention when introducing new food supplements to your baby. Only add one type at a time. If there is no abnormality for 3 days, add the next one. If you really react to allergens and have a slight reaction, you can observe it first. If you have wheezing, hoarseness, or large areas of wheals all over your body, don't wait for it to subside on its own. The most important thing is to rush to the hospital. Severe allergic reactions progress very quickly and cannot be delayed.