Do Not Rub Allergenic Food On Skin Before Feeding It To Baby

Baby sitting in high chair holding orange spoon in mouth with pureed carrots all over face

Yes, you read that right! A reaction through the skin may not mean that your child is allergic to the food. Some kids may develop redness when their skin comes in contact with a certain food. But they can ingest it with no problem. This is a case highlighted by @kidswithfoodallergies.


A 17 month old had two prior small rashes on his mouth after eating peanuts. Skin prick test and blood test came back positive for peanut allergy. However, the allergist wasn’t 100% convinced the boy had a peanut allergy given there are no other symptoms. So they did an oral food challenge. The little boy was fed peanut and he passed (with a small rash on his face that resolved itself).

Key points to remember:

  • A positive skin prick test or bloodwork on its own is not enough to diagnose a food allergy.

  • A skin reaction may be a contact reaction and does not necessarily mean a food allergy.

There is evidence suggesting that delayed introduction may actually increase the risk of developing a food allergy. So for moms with babies who are ready for solid foods, do not delay introducing foods that are considered “allergenic” and skip the part where you rub it on the skin first!

Food AllergiesMun Chofood allergy in babies, food allergies, food introduction, managing food allergies, fpies, pediatric nutritionist1 Comment