But how can they be prevented in the first place?

Preventing infant food allergies

Perhaps they can't be prevented entirely, but early detection of a problem can lessen the effect.

1. Get it checked out
If your child seems to be reacting to certain foods, get the matter checked out.

2. Keep a good record
If you keep a record of which foods have been taken it will make the matter easier to sort out, as will only introducing one new food at a time i.e. starting with apple sauce rather than a mixed fruit puree. Then you need to wait four or five days before introducing another new food, as in some cases symptoms may take up to 72 hours to develop.

3. Look for any symptoms
Look out for symptoms such as a snuffly nose, wheezing, a rash, vomiting and puffy eyes. Some will have colic. However other things can bring on exactly the same symptoms. If your baby seems to be having a mild reaction simply stop giving the latest food and see if the symptoms settle down. If they do, simply stop giving that particular food. Eventually it can probably be reintroduced once your child is past infancy.

4. Read the labels
It will mean a careful reading of labels if you are using commercially made foods. Quite often you will find that the ingredient causing the problem is not one that you would expect. My own daughter had a huge reaction to some antibiotic, so much so that she was in hospital for a week. The antibiotic was doing a good job, but it was the coloring. The strange thing is, at that time colorings weren't mentioned on antibiotic bottles. But that has now changed.

You may find milk products in baby rusks. Lactose is derived from milk for instance and so is casein. Soya products are sometimes another hidden ingredient that can cause problems in a few cases. For more information read our food allergy guide or this informative guide to preventing food allergies naturally.

5. Be aware of kind hearted people
Another problem is kind hearted people - in the crèche at church perhaps or the neighbor you ask to baby sit for half an hour, even a grandparent. Such people mean well, but sometimes seem unable to stop giving your baby a biscuit.

A particular brand from a well known supermarket was our problem. It was three weeks before I found that my daughter's irritable behavior, loose stools and red face was because someone was giving her a biscuit every Sunday morning. So, if you leave a small baby with even the most trusted person for a while, do give instructions and provide your own food if necessary.

Preventing infant food allergies isn't always entirely possible, but by taking the right steps they need not get out of hand.