The Jaffe Food Allergy Institute

We also offer specialized care focused upon all types of food allergic disorders of all degrees of severity. In this regard, we are a preeminent center for clinical care and research on food allergic disorders. We have numerous ongoing studies concerning the diagnosis and treatment of food allergy and you/your family may inquire about these at the time of your visit.

We offer comprehensive care that includes an emphasis on education about the treatments for each illness that we treat. You may meet with physicians and support staff, review written and videotaped instructions, and be referred for additional services that are appropriate to your care, if necessary.

Probably the most important point to make here is not to feel guilty about anything you did or did not do in terms of a child with food allergy. We see children with peanut allergy who, as far as anyone knows, never were exposed to any peanut and still showed up with a strong positive blood test. Based upon the available but limited literature, most authorities suggest that breast feeding is important (for many reasons) and also seems to have some allergy-preventative properties (but even this finding is controversial). The only other fairly solid suggestion is to try to delay the introduction of solids for infants to age 6 months. Eliminating some common allergenic foods over the first several years may prevent the expression of an allergy that would have been outgrown whether the food was or was not initially given, but much more research on this theory is still needed. Physicians only have available what is already known and have to make some judgments for recommendations with many limitations.

A panel from the American Academy of Pediatrics made a set of recommendations aimed at newborns at "high risk" for allergy. If you read these recommendations, please understand that the use of terms such as "could," "may," "seem reasonable," etc. indicates that these recommendations are not set in stone. Before undertaking any diet, please discuss these issues with your pediatrician, allergist, and obstetrician, because nutritional deficiencies could result. If you choose to undertake a diet strictly, a dietitian may be needed to evaluate it.

Skin of patients with atopic dermatitis does not regulate body temperature normally. There may be abnormal sweating and abnormal blood vessel responses, such as the opening and closing of these vessels in the skin. Your child may not react as you expect with changes in room temperature. He may sweat very little. Since intact skin is also important in holding body fluid, your child may lose extra fluid (simply by evaporation) when he is severely affected. You might note increased drinking of fluids. These problems are not dangerous for your child if appropriate therapy is used to clear up the skin lesions.