Why More Babies Are Having Food Allergic Reactions—And What Parents Need to Know

If you've been following recent parenting advice, you've probably heard that introducing allergenic foods early—like peanuts and eggs—can actually help prevent food allergies later. That guidance is based on solid science. But a new study reveals an unexpected consequence: emergency department visits for food reactions in infants have skyrocketed, and researchers want parents to be prepared.

The Rise in Infant Food Reactions

Researchers at UCLA analyzed emergency department visits for food-induced allergic reactions (FIR) in two time periods: 2013-2016 (before early-introduction guidelines became standard) and 2022-2024 (after). The findings were striking. In infants aged 0-1 year, the odds of experiencing a food reaction increased by 2.21 times in the post-guideline era. Even more concerning, food-induced anaphylaxis—a severe, life-threatening reaction—jumped from 8.5 cases per 10,000 infants to 38.9 per 10,000, representing a 358% increase.

The study examined 67,059 total emergency department visits and identified 350 visits for food reactions and 182 for anaphylaxis. Notably, this surge only appeared in infants; children aged 2-5 years showed no significant change in visit rates.

Why Is This Happening?

The answer is straightforward: more families are introducing allergens earlier, so more reactions are occurring in the first year of life instead of later. As Dr. Ruchi Gupta from Northwestern University explained, "If families are introducing allergens earlier, then more reactions are also occurring in the first year of life, with more ED visits."

Here's the critical insight: some infants are already sensitized to foods before their first exposure. When a sensitized baby encounters an allergen for the first time, they may have an immediate reaction. This doesn't mean early introduction is a bad idea—the landmark 2015 LEAP study showed an 80% decrease in peanut allergy in high-risk infants who ate peanuts early. But it does mean parents need realistic expectations and proper guidance.

What Should Parents Watch For?

Not all food reactions are emergencies. According to Dr. Maria Garcia Lloret from UCLA, mild reactions typically involve a urticarial rash (hives) and can be managed at home with antihistamines and monitoring. However, more severe reactions affecting the respiratory or gastrointestinal systems warrant immediate emergency care—call 911 if your baby shows signs of difficulty breathing or severe digestive distress.

Practical Tips for Safe Early Introduction

Experts recommend several strategies to introduce allergens safely. Use a barrier cream around your baby's mouth to prevent contact dermatitis, which can be mistaken for an allergic reaction. Once you introduce a food, keep it in your baby's diet—ideally two to three times per week—to maintain tolerance. And introduce foods your family actually eats, so allergen exposure becomes part of normal eating patterns.

For babies with severe eczema or a known family history of food allergies, consult an allergist before introducing common allergens. Otherwise, early introduction of eggs, peanuts, and other common allergens is recommended—but with proper parental education on what to expect.

The Bottom Line

The rise in infant emergency visits doesn't mean early allergen introduction is wrong. Rather, it highlights the importance of informed, guided introduction. UCLA has already created educational tools for families and is distributing them through pediatric offices during well-child visits. As research continues into which infants are at highest risk for reactions, parents can feel confident introducing allergens early—as long as they understand the signs of a reaction and know when to seek emergency care.