After airborne irritants, the next top allergens are foods. As many as 2 million children in the US are affected by food allergies according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

Not all food is equally allergenic though. In fact, there are 8 top food allergens that account for the overwhelming majority of food allergy reactions. These are eggs, fish, cow’s milk, peanuts, shellfish, soy, tree nuts and wheat or gluten.

• Cow’s milk

Cow’s milk allergy can affect up to 7.5% of babies. Allergy can be the basis for colic. This can affect both breastfeeding and formula feeding parents. If a breastfeeding mother consumes dairy products, the offending milk protein can pass through her breast milk. If a parent formula feeds, the formula could be the irritant for baby’s sensitive tummy. Keep in mind that milk protein can also be a hidden ingredient in many prepared foods.

• Eggs

In most cases, an egg allergy is actually an allergy to egg white. As eggs and egg proteins can be a hidden ingredient in many prepared foods, it can be a difficult allergy to diagnose. Because of the frequency and severity of egg allergy, parents are encouraged to introduce this food after age 1 and to introduce the less allergenic egg yolk before egg white. If your baby has this allergy, there may be cause for hope: in some cases, a child will grow out of it.

• Seafood and shellfish

This allergy is one of the more common adult food allergies. In addition, it is very rare that a child would grow out of this particular allergy. However, it is generally easier to avoid, although you can still have dishes that can contain “hidden” seafood ingredients. It’s always best to ask before eating and avoid anything if you are unsure.

• Peanuts and tree nuts

There is a growing recognition of the unique severity of nut-related allergies. Many schools across North America are becoming “nut free” in an effort to protect vulnerable allergic students. Unfortunately, peanut allergies are also very common, with as many as 1.5 million people in the US alone affected.

• Soy

This is another allergy that is more common in infants than other age groups. Formula feeding parents beware: a significant percentage of kids are allergic to both cow’s milk and soy protein! Research indicates that as many as 40 % of infants could be allergic to both formula alternatives. The high rates of infant allergy to both soy and cow’s milk is a great argument in favour of breastfeeding. In fact, another argument for breastfeeding comes from the current research that shows children who are nursed are much less likely to develop allergies. For older children with this allergy, a parent must always read labels in detail, as soy is often a “hidden” ingredient in many products. Check ingredients carefully and know all the alterative names that can indicate the presence of soy.

• Wheat

Wheat (or gluten) allergy is another tough allergy to manage because of the vast number of foods that contain wheat. Because a child can be allergic to gluten in general (which is present in many grains, including rye, barley, spelt, kamut and can contaminate oats), there is much confusion between actual allergy to wheat and celiac disease. Celiac disease is normally diagnosed quite young – from 6 months to 2 years – and this disease causes damage to the small intestine. Celiac disease means a lifetime of gluten avoidance, whereas a child can sometimes outgrow an allergy.