Paediatric Food Allergy Prevention
Food allergies can cause problems ranging from eczema to life-threatening reactions. At Welbeck, we take a proactive, evidence-based approach to food allergy prevention, offering families clear guidance, early intervention, and ongoing support from our specialist paediatric allergy team.
At a glance
- Paediatric Patients Aged 0+ Seen
What is paediatric food allergy prevention?
Food allergy prevention refers to strategies aimed at reducing the risk that a child will develop a food allergy (an abnormal immune reaction to a certain food). The latest research shows that earlier introduction of certain allergenic foods may help children — especially those at higher risk — develop tolerance, and reduce the likelihood of an allergy developing.
Your consultant paediatric allergist may recommend a preventive strategy if your child:
has eczema or moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis
has a sibling or parent with a confirmed food allergy
has shown early signs of food sensitisation, or has been referred for feeding-related concerns
is about to start weaning, and you want guidance on safe timing and introduction of solids
At Welbeck, we offer appointments to paediatric patients aged 0+. We recognise that early food allergy prevention plays a vital role in protecting children’s long-term health and wellbeing. Within our Allergy centre, our experienced paediatric allergists provide a prompt and effective service focused on identifying children at risk and supporting the safe introduction of common allergens into their diet. By combining expert testing, tailored guidance, and close follow-up, we help families take practical steps to reduce the likelihood of food allergies developing.
More information
At our outpatient clinic, our paediatric allergists will begin with a full review of your child’s medical history (including their growth and eczema status) and your family's medical history. They’ll also talk to you about any specific concerns or goals that you have.
The process will be tailored to your child, but may include:
an assessment of your child’s risk of developing food allergies
skin prick testing and patch testing for allergens
blood tests
advice on optimal timing for introducing allergenic foods into your child’s diet at home
introducing certain foods under supervision in the clinic
We also offer more complex treatments, such as desensitisation and comprehensive food provocation when needed.
Your child will receive ongoing monitoring and follow-ups to ensure their allergy prevention plan remains effective. This includes regular reviews of their skin health and eczema management, assessment of their diet, and guidance on keeping newly introduced foods as a consistent part of their routine. Our team will support you at each stage to ensure your child’s progress is carefully tracked and their tolerance is maintained over time.
Food allergy prevention strategies, including skin prick testing and the early introduction of allergenic foods, are very safe when carried out under the guidance of an experienced paediatric allergy specialist.
Skin prick testing is a low-risk procedure, but it can occasionally cause mild redness, swelling, or itching where the allergen was applied. These reactions are temporary and usually resolve within a few hours. Serious allergic reactions during testing are extremely rare, as only minute amounts of allergens are used, and our clinical team is fully equipped to manage them immediately if they occur.
When introducing new foods, especially common allergens such as egg, milk, or peanut, there’s a small chance that your child could experience an allergic reaction — even if their initial risk appears low. Reactions can range from mild symptoms, such as hives or itching, to more severe responses, including swelling or breathing difficulty. For this reason, allergenic foods should always be introduced carefully, following your consultant’s advice on timing, portion size, and setting.
Our paediatric allergy team will ensure that all testing and food introductions are done safely, with clear instructions on recognising and responding to any reaction. You’ll receive individualised guidance on when and how to seek medical help, and your child’s care plan will be regularly reviewed to keep them safe as they explore new foods.
Your consultant will give you specific advice if there’s anything you need to do to prepare for your appointment. If your child is going to have skin prick testing, make sure they haven’t taken any antihistamines for 5 days before the test.
After food allergy testing or the introduction of new foods, most children can return to their normal routine straight away. Following a skin prick test, it’s common to notice mild redness, itching, or small raised bumps at the test sites — these usually settle within a few hours without treatment. Your consultant may recommend applying a cool compress or giving an age-appropriate antihistamine if your child feels itchy or uncomfortable.
If your child is beginning new foods at home as part of their allergy prevention plan, we’ll give you clear, step-by-step guidance on what to look out for and how to manage any mild reactions. You may be asked to keep a symptom and feeding diary to help monitor tolerance and identify any patterns over time.
Our paediatric allergy team will stay in touch after your appointment to review progress, discuss your child’s response to new foods, and adjust their plan as needed. If your child experiences any symptoms such as hives, swelling, vomiting, or breathing difficulty, you should stop giving the new food and seek medical help immediately. Your consultant will provide you with an emergency plan to ensure you always know what to do.
Please contact our Allergy centre for pricing.
At Welbeck, our paediatric allergists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.
With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
To book a paediatric food allergy prevention, you must be referred by either your GP or a paediatric allergist following a consultation with them. Self-referrals are not accepted for this treatment.
If you’d like to schedule a consultation with a Welbeck paediatric allergist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
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Frequently asked questions
It’s natural to feel anxious about introducing allergenic foods, but for most children, it’s safe when done gradually. You should seek advice from your paediatric allergist or GP before introducing allergens if your child has:
severe eczema or uncontrolled skin flare-ups
a known food allergy, or has reacted to a food before
a strong family history of allergies, such as peanut, egg, or milk allergy
other allergic conditions, such as asthma, that are not well controlled
If your child shows symptoms such as hives, swelling, vomiting, or difficulty breathing after eating a new food, stop immediately and seek medical help. Call 999 if symptoms are severe or affect breathing.
At Welbeck, our paediatric allergy specialists can assess your child’s risk level and, if needed, arrange skin prick testing or supervised food introduction in our clinic. This ensures allergens are introduced safely, with expert support and emergency care available if required.
Yes. Once your child has safely tried and tolerated an allergenic food, it’s important to keep that food in their regular diet — ideally 2 to 3 times per week. Regular exposure helps maintain tolerance and reduces the chance of developing an allergy later on. If the food is eaten only occasionally, the body’s tolerance may lessen over time. Your paediatric allergist will give you advice on safe portion sizes when introducing new foods.
For most babies, solids are introduced at around 6 months, but if your child is considered high risk for food allergies, your paediatric allergy specialist may recommend starting certain allergenic foods, such as peanut or egg, a little earlier, from around 4 months of age, if your baby is developmentally ready. Early, supervised introduction has been shown to help reduce the risk of developing allergies in high-risk infants, and your consultant will guide you on how to do this safely and effectively.
No. Breastfeeding can and should continue while you introduce allergenic foods. Your paediatric consultant will provide personalised guidance to help you combine breastfeeding with the gradual introduction of new foods in a way that supports your baby’s health and development.