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 Oatmeal allergies are most commonly found in infants, and symptoms are first detected around 6 – 9 months. This is perhaps due to the high consumption of oatmeal based cereal and formulas by kids. It is unusual for children to "out-grow" an allergy to oatmeal, and so avoidance and dietary advice will usually be necessary to ensure the health and well-being of your child.
Oatmeal contains gluten, which is a grain-based protein found in oats that requires a certain enzyme to break it down. An inability to break down this enzyme is what creates the allergic reaction to oatmeal. Children who are allergic to oatmeal can also react to oatmeal based body products, so these will need to be avoided as well.
Symptoms of oatmeal allergies include:
- swollen tummy
- small spots on the tummy that appear to almost blend into the skin
- rash across the abdomen
- gas and discomfort
These symptoms can be mild at first, and you may not notice a direct correlation between oatmeal and your child's symptoms. In most cases these early mild-symptoms can be used as a warning sign that your child is allergic to oatmeal. In extreme cases oatmeal allergies can be life-threatening and symptoms include swelling of the throat or the tongue and wheezing. If these symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction occur - immediate medical attention is required.
Treatment
It is important not to self-diagnose your child with oatmeal allergies, as the symptoms can mimic that of other conditions.
If you suspect your child has an allergy to oatmeal, consult with your doctor who can refer you to a gastroenterologist or allergy specialist to determine if an allergy to oat is the cause of the reaction to oatmeal, or if your child has colieacs disease. All products containing oatmeal, including oat-meal based formulas, will then need to be eliminated from your toddler's diet.
Shopping Tips
It is important to read all food packages and bath products carefully to ensure that no oatmeal is used in the products. Packaged foods, found at supermarkets and health stores will have ingredient labels printed on products. It is also mandatory for foods derived from oats to be declared on food labels as well.
There are now a large range of gluten free foods and cook books that are available in both supermarkets and health food shops to assist you in providing your child with a balanced diet.
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