Looking beyond the symptoms to the immune and digestive factors behind food allergies and reactions.
Food allergies in children are becoming increasingly common and occur when the immune system reacts to certain foods.
Reactions may occur immediately after eating and can range from mild symptoms such as hives or itching through to more significant allergic reactions.
Some children with food allergies may also experience eczema, asthma, digestive concerns or ongoing immune activation.
• Hives or skin rashes
• Swelling around the lips, face or eyes
• Itchy skin
• Vomiting after eating certain foods
• Wheezing or asthma symptoms
• Eczema flare-ups
• Digestive discomfort
• Reactions shortly after eating specific foods
• Ongoing immune activation
• Anxiety around food or eating
The Children’s Naturopath provides support for babies, toddlers and children experiencing food allergies, food reactions and food sensitivities.
Many families seek naturopathic support when their child is also experiencing eczema, asthma, digestive concerns, recurrent illness or ongoing allergic symptoms alongside food allergies.
Childhood food allergies
Food allergies occur when the immune system identifies a food as harmful and reacts against it.
Common food allergens include dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, sesame and shellfish.
Some children may experience mild reactions, while others may develop more significant immune responses following exposure to trigger foods.
Food allergies, eczema & asthma
Food allergies may occur alongside eczema, asthma and other allergic conditions in babies, toddlers and children.
For some children, food allergies can form part of a broader pattern of immune activation involving the skin, respiratory system and digestive tract.
Digestive health & food allergies
The digestive system plays an important role in nutrient absorption, immune function and overall health.
Some children with food allergies may also experience digestive symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea or food sensitivities.
Allergies, histamine & immune activation
Histamine is a naturally occurring compound involved in immune responses.
For some children, histamine release may contribute to itching, hives, skin reactions and other allergy-related symptoms.
At The Children's Naturopath, we frequently see children with food allergies who are also experiencing eczema, asthma, hay fever or other allergic symptoms.
The Murdoch Children's Research Institute's HealthNuts study found that approximately one in ten Melbourne infants had a food allergy at 12 months of age — among the highest rates reported anywhere in the world.
Our approach draws on over 28 years of clinical experience supporting children's health. We look at how food allergies affect each child's broader health, nutritional intake and everyday wellbeing.
A familiar situation involves a three-year-old child diagnosed with an egg or peanut allergy.
The parents are carefully avoiding the allergen, but their child is also experiencing recurring eczema, disturbed sleep and other allergic symptoms. They may wonder why their child continues to experience these problems even though the known food allergen has been removed.
One of the patterns we frequently explore is why some children experience several allergic conditions at the same time.
Food allergies, eczema, asthma and hay fever can occur together in children with an allergic predisposition, sometimes referred to as atopy.
Understanding this broader pattern helps us consider the child's nutritional health and other symptoms rather than focusing exclusively on the diagnosed food allergy.
Another important observation in clinic is how food allergies can affect the variety of foods children eat.
For example, a child avoiding dairy and eggs may have fewer dietary sources of protein, calcium and other important nutrients.
When several foods are excluded, parents can find it increasingly difficult to provide balanced meals, particularly if their child is already a fussy eater.
We pay particular attention to whether the child's diet is meeting their nutritional requirements for growth, immune function and healthy development.
During consultations, we are interested in patterns that may not have been considered together. These include:
Whether eczema, asthma or hay fever developed before or after the food allergy was identified.
Whether allergic symptoms vary with seasonal or environmental exposures.
How frequently itching or disturbed sleep affects the child.
Whether dietary restrictions have reduced food variety.
Whether the child is receiving adequate protein, iron, zinc, calcium and other essential nutrients.
Whether growth, appetite or digestive symptoms have changed since foods were removed.
For children with multiple food allergies, we also explore practical ways to maintain nutritional variety while continuing to avoid confirmed allergens.
One of our priorities is helping parents feel more confident about their child's nutrition while managing food allergies.
We consider the child's allergic history, dietary intake and any accompanying health concerns to develop individualised nutritional strategies.
Confirmed food allergies are diagnosed and managed by your child's doctor or allergy specialist. Nothing here replaces that care, or an adrenaline autoinjector plan where one has been prescribed.
Murdoch Children's Research Institute — HealthNuts Study
Food allergy prevalence of approximately 10% among one-year-olds in Melbourne, described by the researchers as the highest reported internationally.
Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) — Food Allergy
Childhood food allergy, allergic reactions, identifying and avoiding confirmed allergens, and maintaining adequate nutrition when foods must be excluded.
Many families come to us after receiving a food allergy diagnosis and wanting practical guidance on how to support their child’s overall health.
Food allergies often occur alongside other concerns such as eczema, asthma, digestive symptoms, recurrent illness or nutritional challenges.
During the initial consultation, we take the time to understand your child’s health history, diet, digestion, immune function, allergy history and overall wellbeing.
Parents often leave their consultation with:
Verified Google reviews for The Children’s Naturopath.
The Children’s Naturopath provides consultations for babies, children and teenagers experiencing food allergies, food reactions and food sensitivities. Consultations are available Australia-wide via phone or telehealth, as well as in-person at our Melbourne clinic. Food allergies should always be medically assessed and managed in partnership with your child’s healthcare team.
