Much of the information listed below is controversial.  However, our understanding of the development of allergy is unfolding and good scientific methods are in current use to clarify these issues.  What you are now reading is updated as research progresses.

Family History

    Without a parent with allergic problems, an individual has only a 10% chance of developing allergic symptoms.  However, the risk of allergy increases to 40% if one parent is allergic, and increases to 80% if both are allergic.

Month of Birth

    For typical pollen allergies (trees, grasses, weeds), many studies demonstrate that being born from October to December reduces these allergies.  Exposure to animals, especially cats, in the first six months may weigh heavily on the development of this allergy.  For mite allergy, the month of birth is less important since mites are found in the home year-round.  However, high mite counts in the home directly correlates with the severity and frequency of asthma attacks in children.  Special treatments to reduce the development of allergic conditions may include mite control, pet avoidance, and proper use of air purifiers and air conditioners.

Infant Feeding

    Food allergies and eczema (atopic dermatitis) are strongly correlated with a parental history of hayfever, Asthma, or Eczema.  For high risk infants, breast feeding with maternal avoidance of egg, peanut, milk, (supplemented with 1500 mg of elemental Calcium daily) may reduce food allergy problems in early infancy.  In children with cow's milk allergy, soy formula allergy may also occur in up to 1/3 of these individuals.  Special hypoallergenic formulas, such as Nutramigen and Alimentum are also good alternatives.  The new wheat based formulas, Good Start, falls somewhere between milk / soy based formulas and the special hypoallergenic formulas in sensitivity.  Solids should be withheld for 6 months (milk, corn, soy, citrus, and wheat should be avoided for 1 year; egg, peanut, and fish for 2 years).  For infants of allergic parents (hayfever, eczema, or asthma), solid foods introduced before 6 months of age is associated with a 2 1/2 times increase in the development of eczema.

Smoking

    Several studies demonstrate that parental smoking may contribute to the development of allergies and asthma as well as suppressing the immune system,  possibly associated with increased upper and lower respiratory conditions.  Avoidance of tobacco addiction may reduce the frequency and severity of your child's respiratory problems.

Other

    Frequent viral respiratory infections within the first year of life, may influence the development of allergies.  Reducing the frequency of such infections requires scrupulous hand washing by caregivers and avoidance of individuals currently infected.  Avoiding day care situations for the first year may also reduce the development of allergic disorders by reducing the frequency of viral infections, but this recommendation should be followed for only those children with poorly controlled asthma or disorders of the immune system, or a parental history of allergies that may predispose children to excess infectious agents.

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