Do Children Outgrow Food Allergies?

Learn About the Factors That Impact Allergy Remission

Food allergies can be a scary thing to face, especially when it comes to our children. But the good news is that food allergies often don’t last forever, and children can sometimes outgrow them. So, you may be wondering, “Will my children really outgrow their food allergies?” The answer varies from person to person, but with careful management of triggers and knowing what’s safe for your child’s diet, you can make progress toward minimizing the effects of any existing food allergy your child has.

In this post, we’ll discuss what factors determine whether or not a child will likely outgrow their food allergy as well as tips on how they can do so safely and effectively.

Factors that Impact Outgrowing Food Allergies

The promise of outgrowing a food allergy can be determined by several factors:

• A child’s age
• The severity of the reaction
• The type of allergen they are exposed to

These three factors will help determine the likelihood that your child’s allergies will go into remission. Those with allergies to milk, egg, or soy may have a greater opportunity at overcoming them while those allergic specifically to peanuts, tree nuts fish, or shellfish, unfortunately, lack much hope in this regard.

When to Expect Possible Relief

Though the chances of outgrowing food allergies can be unpredictable, research shows that most children are likely to find relief from cow’s milk and egg allergies by age 6. Wheat allergy may take longer in more allergic kids but still reaches an 80% resolution rate at 5 years old. However, IgE-mediated milk allergy is often resolved much sooner – with nearly 76% of sufferers finding freedom around age 3!

For children with allergies to milk and eggs, there is hope: research has demonstrated that by introducing foods that have been heated – such as cooked or baked items – their development of tolerance can be sped up, helping them ‘outgrow’ the allergy more quickly. However, this should only ever occur under medical supervision from a board-certified allergist.

Unfortunately, peanut allergies are typically lifelong conditions; although around 25% of affected kids may eventually outgrow it before turning 8 years old, if they haven’t done so by 10, it becomes highly unlikely for any further developments in terms of diminishing sensitivity levels. The same generally holds true when considering tree nuts and shellfish – studies suggest these remain fairly constant throughout life unless new treatments become available through ongoing scientific advances.

Better Understand Allergies with the Help of Allergy Partners

In conclusion, although children may outgrow food allergies with time, there is no guarantee. Childhood is an essential time for development and growth, and being properly informed about food allergies will help ensure children’s safety during these formative years. Allergy Partners provides outstanding services to accommodate helping families understand and address food allergies, from food allergy testing to managing reactions should they occur. Researching information from reputable sources can provide further insight into food allergies, giving parents comfort in knowing they are on the right track for their children’s health and well-being.

For more information on the various allergy treatments that Allergy Partners offers or other inquiries relating to food allergies in childhood, do not hesitate to contact your local office today!