Health Concerns

Food Allergy

Food Allergy Fast Facts

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Food Allergy Fast Facts [internet]. 2019 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

This fact sheet provides information on common food allergies such as peanuts and shellfish, symptoms of food allergies, anaphylaxis affecting breathing and the heart, food intolerances and introducing food allergies.

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Cow’s Milk Allergy Fast Facts

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Cow’s Milk Allergy Fast Facts [internet]. 2019 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

This fact sheet provides information on cow’s milk as an allergy discussing mild to moderate symptoms that occur such as swelling of face, lips and/or eyes. It dicusses reactions being an allrgy to cow’s milk protein but also how reactions may be due to lactose intolerance which causes diarrohea.

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Peanut Allergy Fast Facts

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Peanut Allergy Fast Facts [internet]. 2019 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

Peanut allergy is common and affects around 3% of children. In some cases trace amounts of peanuts can trigger symptoms. Peanuts are one of the most common foods that cause life threatening severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)

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Eczema and Food Allergy Fast Facts

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Eczema and Food Allergy Fast Facts [internet]. 2020 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

People with eczema often have other allergic conditions, including food allergy, but food allergy does not cause eczema. This fact sheet provides information about eczema triggers, how eczema can be well managed, food allergy being more common in infants with eczema and substituting foods.

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How to Introduce Solid Foods For Allergy Prevention FAQ

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. How to Introduce Solid Foods For Allergy Prevention FAQ [internet]. 2018 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

This information aims to provide practical advice on how to introduce solid foods to your baby, and is based on current evidence for food allergy prevention. When introducing solid foods to your baby, include common allergy causing foods by 12 months in an age appropriate form, such as well cooked egg and smooth peanut butter/paste.

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General Information

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. General Information [internet]. 2019 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

A general information sheet about dietary avoidance and a range of diet sheets for food allergies. It provides information on understanding allergens on food labels, ‘free from’ products, purchasing foods, eating out and possible sources of cross contamination.

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Cow’s Milk Protein (Dairy) Allergy

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Cow’s Milk Protein (Dairy) Allergy [internet]. 2020 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

This information sheet provides information about cow’s milk and other dairy foods being a common cause of food allergy in babies. It discusses rapid onset allergic reactions to cow’s milk, delayed reactions and how not all reactions to cow’s milk are due to allergy to cow’s protein, rather a lactose intolerance.

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Egg Allergy

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Egg Allergy [internet]. 2020 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

This dietary guide provides information on egg allergies and the importance to read and understand food labels to be able to choose appropriate foods. It is important to be aware that egg is used as a binder or thickener in many prepared foods such as cakes and breads.

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Fish Allergy

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Fish Allergy [internet]. 2019 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

Avoiding fish is essential for people with confirmed fish allergy. Some people with fish allergy react to many different species of fish and others can tolerate a few. The decision to try types of fish should be made by a clinical immunology/allergy specialis.

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Peanut Allergy

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Peanut Allergy [internet]. 2019 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

Avoiding peanut is essential for people with confirmed peanut allergy. “May contain traces of peanuts” on a label indicates that the food is made in a facility that makes other foods containing peanuts. Foods that contain peanuts and should be avoided included foods such as arachis oil, beer nuts and groundnuts.

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Shellfish Allergy

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Shellfish Allergy [internet]. 2019 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

Common types of shellfish that should be avoided include: abalone, Balmain bugs, etc. Food purchased from fish and chip shops may be cooked in oil contaminated by shellfish.

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Tree Nut Allergy

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Tree Nut Allergy [internet]. 2019 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

Tree nuts such as almonds, cashews and walnuts can be found in a variety of foods including chocolate, cereal, muesli bars, and bakery items. Avoiding tree nuts is essential for people with confirmed tree nut allergy.

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Wheat Allergy

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Wheat Allergy [internet]. 2019 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

Gluten is one of many proteins in wheat, barley, oats and rye. Approximately 20% of people with wheat allergy may be allergic to other gluten containing cereals such as barley, rye or oats.

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Sesame Allergy

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Sesame Allergy [internet]. 2021 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

Sesame is often a less obvious ingredient. Restaurants serving Asian, Turkish, Middle Easter and vegetarian foods are higher risk due to cross contamination with other dishes served in the restaurant. Some foods containing sesame that should be avoided if one has a sesame allergy are hummus, benne, gingelly seeds and tahini.

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Soy Allergy

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Soy Allergy [internet]. 2019 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

Soy is found in many foods, and often in foods we do not suspect, such as bread, cakes, flavourings, and pizza. Soy lecithin and soya bean oil can be eaten by most people with soy allergy. Other legumes such as chickpeas, kidney beans and lentils are tolerated by most people that are allergic to soy.

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ASCIA - Allergic & Toxic Reactions to Seafood

Allergic and Toxic Reactions to Seafood

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Allergic and Toxic Reactions to Seafood [internet]. 2019 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

Many allergic reactions to seafood are mild and cause hives (urticaria), tingling of the throat and mouth,
swelling (angioedema), and/or gut reactions (vomiting, diarrhoea).

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Coconut Allergy

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Coconut Allergy [internet]. 2019 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

Allergic reactions to eating coconut are relatively rare, whilst contact allergic dermatitis to coconut products is more common. Few cases of allergic reactions from eating coconut products have been reported, including one case of severe stomach upset in a baby fed infant formula containing coconut.

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Cow’s Milk Dairy Allergy

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Cow’s Milk Dairy Allergy [internet]. 2019 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to cow’s milk can be life threatening, and should always be treated as medical emergencies that require immediate treatment with adrenaline (epinephrine). Mild symptoms include hives, swelling of lips, stomach pain or severe symptoms can include noisy breathing, tongue swelling and loss of consciousness.

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ASCIA - Egg Allergy & Influenza Vaccination

Egg Allergy and Influenza Vaccination

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Egg Allergy and Influenza Vaccination [internet]. 2020 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

People with egg allergy may be safely vaccinated with the influenza (flu) vaccine. The current influenza vaccines are derived from influenza virus, and grown in hen’s egg. Several published reviews, guidelines and reports suggest no increased risk of anaphylaxis associated with influenza vaccination of people with egg-allergy.

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Food Allergen Challenges FAQs

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Food Allergen Challenges FAQs [internet]. 2019 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

Food allergen challenges are procedures where food is fed to a patient in a medical clinic. The patient is monitored to confirm if the food being tested causes an allergic reaction. This page discusses what happens if no reaction occurs, if a reaction does occur, who can perform supervised food allergen challenges and why are they performed.

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Food Allergy FAQs

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Food Allergy FAQs [internet]. 2019 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

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Lupin Allergy

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Lupin Allergy FAQs [internet]. 2019 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

This document provides information to raise awareness of lupin as a food allergen. Lupin is a legume related to peanut and soybean. This document also highlights how lupin has health benefits, which may play a role in combating obesity and the associated health problems of diabetes and heart disease.

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ASCIA - Oral immunotherapy for Food Allergy FAQs

Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) for Food Allergy FAQs

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Lupin Allergy FAQs [internet]. 2019 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

This document provides information on Oral immunotherapy for potential treatment for food allergy. Oral immunotherapy has not been approved for routine use in Australia or New Zealand. The document highlights the published trials for food allergy oral immunotherapy showing achievements of desensitisation and sustained unresponsiveness.

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Peanut, Tree Nut and Seed Allergy

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Peanut, Tree Nut and Seed Allergy [internet]. 2019 [cited Apr 2021]; ASCIA.

This document provides information on peanut, tree nut and seed allergies. Including food proteins triggering food allergies, the difference between food terms where legumes are often used to describe peanuts, peas, chickpeas, and soy. It describes cross reactivity, where a similar protein is present in a range of different foods.

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Constipation

Constipation

The Royal Children’s Hospital. Constipation [internet]. 2018 [cited Apr 2021]; RCH

This document provides information on constipation, what does it mean, why does it occur in babies and children, signs and symptoms of constipation and how to care for this. To help prevent constipation fibre in the diet is important, this can be through consuming two servings of fruit each day, drinking prune juice.

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Constipation: Fact Sheet

The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. Constipation [internet]. 2018 [cited Apr 2021]; SCHN.

This fact sheet is for toddlers and children with constipation and does not apply for babies. It provides information on understanding constipation, it becomes a problem when it becomes painful to pass a stool, and what causes constipation. The best way to treat constipation is with medication and behavioural techniques.

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Reflux

Reflux

Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service. Reflux [internet]. 2016 [cited Apr 2021]; CHQ.

This fact sheet provides information on reflux and its common occurrence in babies. Signs and symptoms of reflux can include posseting, spilling or regurgitation. Reflux is usually diagnosed by a doctor or child health nurse. This document includes information on what to do when babies are experiencing reflux symptoms.

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Reflux

The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. Reflux [internet]. 2018 [cited Apr 2021]; SCHN.

This fact sheet provides information on reflux for babies and younger children. Reflux happens when the muscle in the lower part of the oesophagus relaxes. Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when reflux results in troublesome symptoms and/or complications. Babies younger than three months who cry a lot and cannot be easily comforted are said to have “colic”.

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Fussy Eating

Fussy Eating in Children

Monash Children’s Hospitals. Fussy Eating in Children [internet]. 2013 [cited Apr 2021]; Monash Health.

This fact sheet provides information on fussy eating in children. Food refusal is common between two and nine years of age and childrens’ appetites change based on their energy needs. This document includes what may contribute to fussiness and tips on how to tempt fussy eaters.

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Fussy Eating in Toddlers

The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. Fussy Eating in Toddlers [internet]. 2019 [cited Apr 2021]; SCHN.

Being a toddler is all about exploring and experimenting. Mealtimes are usually messy, as toddlers throw, squash, and play with their food. This is an important and normal part of toddler development. Choosing and refusing food is one way that children show their independence (and test their parents’ patience)!

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Ways to Boost Iron Intake for Babies, Toddlers & Children

The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. Fussy Eating in Toddlers [internet]. 2019 [cited Apr 2021]; SCHN.

This fact sheet provides information on the importance of iron and symptoms of children who do not eat enough iron-containing foods. If iron stores have fallen too low this can be iron deficiency anemia. This document includes the best sources of iron and how vitamin c and calcium impacts iron absorption.

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