WHS' Cameron Wellness Center Raises Awareness of Food Allergies and Food Sensitivities

By Andrew Wilson

Parents of an infant who is ready to eat solid food often fret about how to introduce new foods and avoid allergies.

"The research used to say that parents should delay the introduction of some potentially allergenic food until the child is at least two years of age," said Michelle Campion, MS, RD, LDN, CLT, a registered dietitian with the WHS Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center at Washington Health System (WHS). "But now research shows some potentially allergenic foods, like peanuts and eggs, should be introduced around four to six months of age to greatly reduce the risk of developing a food allergy."

Campion said there are nine foods that have the highest potential of triggering allergies. The foods are:

  • peanuts

  • eggs

  • tree nuts (like almonds, pecans, or cashews)

  • fish

  • shellfish

  • soy

  • dairy

  • wheat

  • sesame

"When introducing a new potentially allergenic food to a baby, it is recommended to wait three days before introducing another one of the potential allergens," said Campion, who explained that the new food should be given for each of the three days before introducing another new food. "Introduce early and often," she said. "For all the other foods other than the top nine allergens, the risk of allergy is very low, so you can introduce one new food per day."

She said evidence suggests that some children may outgrow certain food allergies as they grow older. Limited research has shown that giving a child a tiny amount each day of the food causing the allergy and gradually increasing that amount over several months can lead to children outgrowing the allergy faster.

"That approach should only be attempted under a doctor's direct supervision," cautioned Campion. "Allergies can be dangerous and life threatening."

While food allergies can be more dangerous, more of the U.S. population may have a food sensitivity rather than an allergic condition.

"Food allergies can be life threatening, but food sensitivities can affect the quality of life of an individual," said Campion, who added that current estimates are food allergies affect about four to six percent of the U.S. population while close to one-third of the population may have food sensitivities.

Reactions to a food allergy may be as mild as a skin rash or a swollen lip, but they can be as serious and potentially life threatening as having one's throat or airway close. Such symptoms usually show up within minutes of being exposed even slightly to the allergen.

"Allergies are usually easier to pinpoint, but sensitivities can be more difficult to diagnose," said Campion.

For one thing, she said, reactions to food sensitivities may take a longer time to develop and can often be dependent on the amount of the food being consumed. Someone with a sensitivity to wheat may not notice any reaction if the only food containing wheat that they consume over the course of a day is a piece of toast eaten with breakfast.

"However, if they have toast for breakfast, a wheat bread sandwich for lunch, and wheat pasta for dinner, they could have a reaction," said Campion.

Food sensitivities can often be dismissed as being due to some other cause, such as food poisoning or indigestion. Signs of food sensitivities can vary and may exhibit as diarrhea, constipation, migraines, brain fog, or irritating skin rashes, to name just a few.

"One of the things that we do at the Cameron Wellness Center is help people get their life back," Campion said. "We can help with meal plans and food choices."

She said that one of the hardest parts about food sensitivity is that it may be caused by an otherwise healthy food choice that simply doesn't react well within a particular individual's digestive tract. In addition, favorite foods may not be exempt from such reactions.

"It may be difficult to hear, but some of the foods we most crave are what can cause us problems," said Campion, adding that while people may resist giving up a favorite food, "after experiencing symptoms for several weeks, they may be more willing and receptive to making a change."

She said that the WHS Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center tries to educate patients about what to look for in the grocery store and restaurants.

"Reading labels is important,” Campion said. "Sometimes it can be tough to figure out if a particular ingredient is in a food, but we give them some alternative choices to substitute for the ingredient that is causing the problems."

The Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center, part of the Washington Health System, is a community wellness center that takes a comprehensive approach to healthy living and fitness. For more information, visit wrcameronwellness.org or call 724-225-WELL (9355).