The development of allergy in relation to age can be described as an "allergic march". The 'march' implies that there is a given sequence in the development of allergy. The manifestation of atopic disease varies considerably with the age of the child, as do the allergens involved. In infancy, allergic children usually present with atopic eczema. When weaning from breast milk takes place, food allergies may then present. The commonest food allergies in childhood include egg milk, peanut, soya, wheat, fish, shellfish, kiwi and sesame.
Of course, younger children who are bottle fed may present even earlier with cows milk allergy. After the age of 3yrs, allergy to inhaled allergens becomes more dominant with many allergic children developing asthma and rhintis.
The development of pollen allergy then offers yet more opportunity to develop food Type II allergies if the Oral Allergy Syndrome develops.
This clinic aims to facilitate early stratergies in an attempt to interupt the above sequence.
| Pollen | Food |
|---|---|
| Ragweed pollen | cantaloupe, water melon, cucumber, banana |
| Mugwort pollen | celery, spices, carrot, fennel, parsley |
| Grass pollen | wheat, other cereals, tomato, melon, water melon, kiwi |
| Birch pollen | hazelnut, chestnuts, apple, peach, apricot, pear, plum, cherry, potato, carrot, kiwi, spices |