Outgrowing

Most children outgrow their food allergies to milk, egg, soy, and wheat by the time they are 10 years old, and often before 5 years of age.

It is estimated that about 85% of children who are allergic to milk or eggs will outgrow their food allergy, and just about all children who are allergic to soy or wheat will outgrow their allergy, too.

Allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, or shellfish are generally lifelong allergies; however, studies have shown that approximately 20% of children may outgrow their allergy to peanuts, and about 10% outgrow their allergy to tree nuts.

Monitoring food-specific IgE antibody levels from blood tests can be useful in helping to determine if your child is outgrowing an allergy. If the food-specific IgE levels have decreased, and your child has not had a reaction in over a year, your child’s doctor may suggest a food challenge to determine if the food allergy has been outgrown.

For children who are allergic to peanuts, a food challenge may be recommended if the child has not had an allergic reaction to peanut in two to three years.

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