Delayed (non-IgE mediated) Food Allergy
Is your child experiencing unexplained symptoms like eczema, colic, reflux, or digestive issues? It might be a delayed (non-IgE mediated) food allergy—a type of immune reaction that doesn’t appear immediately after eating certain foods.
Unlike immediate (IgE-mediated) allergic reactions, which are triggered by antibodies known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) and cause sudden symptoms like hives or swelling, delayed food allergies involve other parts of the immune system. These symptoms often develop hours or even days later, making them harder to pinpoint.
Symptoms may include:
- Dry, itchy, and red skin (eczema)
- Abdominal discomfort or colic (in infants)
- Reflux (vomiting) or silent reflux (pain)
- Diarrhoea, mucous or blood in stools
- Poor weight gain
- More rarely, constipation
These symptoms most commonly affect infants within the first few months of life.
At Children’s Allergy Doctors, we specialise in diagnosing and managing delayed food allergies through a thorough medical history, physical examination, and allergy testing where necessary. We can perform:
- Skin prick tests (£250) to check for immediate (IgE-mediated) allergies.
- Patch tests (£150) to detect delayed (non-IgE mediated) allergies.
We will guide you through the steps to confirm whether your child’s symptoms are due to a food allergy, usually by removing and gradually reintroducing the suspected food. Rest assured, any dietary adjustments—whether for your child or yourself while breastfeeding—will be carefully managed to prevent nutritional deficiencies.
Don’t let uncertainty about food allergies cause your family stress. Contact Children’s Allergy Doctors today for expert advice and tailored allergy care. We offer a range of services to empower parents with the knowledge and tools to manage food allergies effectively.
What parents say:
“Professor Brough has been proactive and incredibly thorough with investigating our baby son’s allergies. She has provided supporting information and resources which are helpful tools for managing the situation. Her responses to my questions have been informative and she has been very responsive, ensuring I’m equipped with essential and accurate information. I’m so pleased that our son is under her care.”