The number of children admitted to hospitals for food-related allergic reactions has tripled over the past two decades, and early years practitioners are on the front lines of this growing crisis.
As allergies continue to rise, it’s crucial to understand the factors behind this trend and how we can support families in managing and preventing allergies.
In this blog, we’ll explore the science behind the allergy epidemic, its impact on young children, and practical steps early years practitioners can take to help.
The Rising Tide of Allergies in Early Years
For some families, allergies are an unfortunate result of genetics. Although, allergies are becoming increasingly common among young children, with food allergies being the most prevalent.
According to research from Imperial College London, hospital admissions for food-related anaphylaxis in the UK tripled between 1998 and 2018. For early years practitioners, this means more children in your care may be at risk of severe allergic reactions.
Why Are Allergies Increasing in Young Children?
The reasons behind the surge in allergies are complex, but several key factors are particularly relevant to early years practitioners:
1. Delayed Introduction of Solid Foods
Modern parenting advice often emphasizes exclusive breastfeeding until six months of age, delaying the introduction of solid foods. However, research suggests this may be contributing to the problem.
Professor Gideon Lack, a paediatric allergy expert at King’s College London, explains that the critical window for introducing allergenic foods like peanuts and eggs is between four and eleven months. Delaying exposure beyond this period can increase the risk of developing allergies.
What does this mean for practitioners?
- Encourage parents to introduce allergenic foods early, from around four months, while continuing to breastfeed.
- Share evidence-based resources with families to help them feel confident about early food introduction.
2. The Hygiene Hypothesis
Increased hygiene and reduced exposure to microbes may also be playing a role. The “hygiene hypothesis” suggests that a lack of early exposure to bacteria and viruses can lead to an overactive immune system, increasing the risk of allergies.
Professor Tari Haahtela, a leading allergologist from the University of Helsinki, advocates for the “biodiversity hypothesis,” which links allergies to modern society’s disconnect from nature. “Our immune system, if it’s not trained enough, is not capable of differentiating between danger and non-danger,” he explains.
What does this mean for practitioners?
- Promote outdoor play and activities that expose children to natural environments.
- Encourage parents to let children explore and interact with nature, even in urban settings.
3. Skin Exposure to Allergens
The rise in eczema and dry skin among infants is another factor. Frequent bathing and the use of harsh soaps can weaken the skin barrier, allowing food allergens to penetrate and trigger allergic reactions.
What does this mean for practitioners?
- Be vigilant for signs of eczema or dry skin in children, as these can indicate a higher risk of allergies.
- Share advice with parents on gentle skincare practices and avoiding harsh products.
The Role of Early Years Settings in Allergy Prevention
Early years practitioners play a vital role in identifying and managing allergies. Here are some practical steps you can take:
1. Early Identification and Support
- Be alert to symptoms of allergies, such as rashes, vomiting, or breathing difficulties, and communicate these concerns to parents.
- Work with families to create individualized care plans for children with known allergies.
2. Promoting Early Food Introduction
- Share evidence-based guidance with parents about introducing allergenic foods from around four months.
- Provide resources and workshops to help parents feel confident about this process.
3. Creating Allergy-Aware Environments
- Ensure your setting is equipped to handle allergic reactions, including having EpiPens on hand and staff trained in their use.
- Implement strict food labelling and allergen avoidance policies to protect children with known allergies.
Learning from Finland’s Success
Finland’s national allergy prevention program offers valuable lessons for early years practitioners. The program, which ran from 2008 to 2018, focused on:
- Introducing solid foods from four months while continuing to breastfeed.
- Encouraging outdoor play and time in nature.
- Reducing unnecessary antibiotic use.
The results were remarkable: child emergency hospital visits for allergies dropped by 53%, and days spent in hospital due to asthma fell by half.
What can practitioners do?
- Advocate for policies that promote outdoor play and early food introduction.
- Collaborate with healthcare professionals to provide consistent, evidence-based advice to families.
New Allergy School Programme Launched to Protect Children with Food Allergies
In related news, a new, free Allergy School programme has been launched to protect children with food allergies in education settings by The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation (NARF).
The programme provides free resources to all early years settings, primary schools, and out-of-school clubs and groups to encourage greater awareness and understanding of food allergies, while also enabling children to feel empowered, included, and protected.
The resources – available at Welcome to NARF Allergy School, Teaching Children About Food Allergies – include films, lesson plans, and assembly packs created by the charity in partnership with Coram Life Education, The King’s Foundation, St John Ambulance, and Tesco Stronger Starts.
They feature schools, teaching staff, and children sharing their own stories and food allergy best practices.
The programme also introduces Arlo, the friendly, food-allergic armadillo, who helps educate children about food allergies in a positive and engaging way.
The Department for Education (DfE) encourages settings to use such resources as part of their work to fulfil their statutory duties to manage allergy risks, as set out in the government’s Allergy guidance for schools – GOV.UK and the Early Years Foundation Framework.
The rise in childhood allergies is a pressing issue, but early years practitioners are uniquely positioned to make a difference.
By understanding the science behind allergies and adopting evidence-based practices, you can help protect the children in your care and support their families.
Key Takeaways for Early Years Practitioners
- Encourage early introduction of allergenic foods (from 4 months).
- Promote outdoor play and exposure to nature.
- Be vigilant for signs of allergies and work closely with families to manage risks.
- Advocate for policies that support allergy prevention and awareness.
Here is the latest guidance on what to do in the case of anaphylaxis Adrenaline Auto-Injectors (AAIs) – GOV.UK
