It can be fun and exciting to give your baby new tastes, but it's important for parents to know if their child is having an allergy to a new food. Peanut is a snack that is prone to be allergenic. What are the signs of this food in children? Getting a baby used to peanuts can be very scary since peanut allergies seem to be getting more and more common these days. Peanut allergies can be scary, so when introducing peanuts to a baby, it's important for parents to know what signs or reactions to look for. Here are some signs that your baby has an allergy to peanuts and what to do if you think he or she is having a reaction.
- When can babies start eating peanut butter?
People used to say that babies shouldn't be given peanut butter until they were at least one year old. Now, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology says that babies as young as 4 to 6 months can be slowly introduced to peanuts, as long as they haven't had any problems with other solid foods they've had before. They also say that waiting to give a baby allergenic foods like peanuts, eggs, and shellfish may make the baby more likely to get allergies. But they do say that an allergist should be consulted before giving peanut butter to an infant if a sibling already has a peanut allergy. 
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) also says that babies who have severe eczema and/or an egg allergy are at a high risk of developing a peanut allergy. Before giving peanuts to your baby, you should talk to your doctor because they may want to test to see if your baby will have a reaction. A skin prick test or even a blood test can be done on these kids to see if they will have a reaction. They also say that you should talk to a doctor before giving your baby peanuts if he or she has even mild or moderate eczema. If your baby has never had eczema and anyone in your family is allergic to peanuts, you can give your baby small amounts of peanut butter at home. Peanut butter for babies should be thin and runny so they don't choke on it. You shouldn't give your child whole peanuts until he or she is about 4 years old.
- How often do babies have an allergy to peanuts?
A study in the New England Journal of Medicine says that 1% to 2% of children have an allergy to peanuts. Peanuts are a member of the legume family and cause one of the most common food allergies. Even though peanut allergies may be common, the Cleveland Clinic says that one out of every five children may outgrow their allergy by the time they are adults. 
- How to tell if your baby is allergic to peanuts?
If your baby has been able to handle all the other solid foods you've given them and there are no signs that they might be allergic to peanuts, it's time to give them peanut products. You can give your baby small amounts of peanut butter or even peanut powder to see if they have an allergic reaction. Reactions to peanut products can happen right away or within a few hours, so it's important to keep an eye on them. However, they usually happen between 30 minutes and an hour and a half after being introduced. CHOP says that reactions can range from mild, like a new rash or hives around the mouth and face, to severe, like swelling of the lips, mouth, and face, vomiting, hives all over the body, coughing, wheezing, or trouble breathing, lethargy, or a sudden change in skin color.
- How to know if your baby is having an allergic reaction?
Healthline says that when a child has an allergic reaction, the symptoms usually only show up in one place on their body. If your child has more than one symptom at the same time, even if they are all mild, it could be a sign that they are having anaphylaxis and you need to get them to the hospital right away. If this is the case, you should go to the emergency room right away. 
If your child is having a mild reaction, like redness or hives around the mouth, you can give them Benadryl to help with the symptoms and then call your pediatrician for advice on what to do next. If your child has been told they are allergic to peanuts, try not to worry. Your doctor pediatrician, allergy specialist, or dietitian will give you all the information and advice you need to deal with it. You should be given clear instructions on how to read food labels and deal with warnings like "may contain nuts," as well as information on how to spot and treat allergic reactions. You should be given a written plan for emergencies that includes the right medicines for your baby. One of these could be an auto-injector for adrenaline, like an Epipen, Jext, or Emerade. Having a child with an allergy can be scary, especially if the child has had a severe reaction before. But every day in the UK, thousands of children live with peanut allergies. 
It will soon be second nature to do things like check the labels on food. And if your child is at risk of a serious attack, making sure she always has her auto-injector with her will give you peace of mind that she can get help quickly. Your doctor or allergy specialist will be happy to answer any questions you have and give you the expert advice you need to keep your child safe and happy. Always talk to your child's doctor. If you're worried about giving peanuts to your baby, you might want to do it at a pediatrician's appointment. If your baby likes peanut butter, experts say you should keep giving it to them at least three times a week to keep them from getting allergic.