Allergy

Allergies occur when your child's immune system has made an allergic response to a substance in the environment called an allergen. Allergens include airborne allergens (from dust mites, cats and dogs, pollen and moulds) and food allergens. Find out more about allergies, eczema and some answers to common questions about feeding new foods to babies who are at risk of allergies.

Child with allergy blowing nose

Research shows that giving your baby the common allergy causing foods before they turn one can help reduce the risk of them developing an allergy to that food.

Allergies happen when your child's immune system mistakenly treats normally harmless substances as 'harmful'. The substances that trigger allergies are called allergens. The symptoms of an allergy vary according to what a child or young person is allergic to. 

Fast facts on eczema and food allergy - from clinical immunology and allergy specialists in Australia and New Zealand.

Is your child getting enough calcium? If your child has to avoid dairy products for their cow's milk allergy, make sure they are eating enough other foods containing calcium.

Some handy hints on how to include calcium in your child's diet if they are allergic to cow's milk.

Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EO) is a rare condition that causes tamariki and rangatahi to have difficulties with their swallowing tube (oesophagus). The treatment for eosinophilic oesophagitis is medicines and/or changes to your child's diet.

Watch a 5 part live chat series with expert advice about food allergies in tamariki.