Specialist support for children with IgE‑mediated food allergies.
Clear, evidence‑based guidance to keep food safe, nutrition balanced, and families confident.
Clarity and confidence for families navigating food allergy.
One of the most common questions we hear is: “Does my child have a food allergy?” While diagnosis is made by a paediatrician or allergy specialist (via skin prick testing and/or blood tests), a paediatric dietitian plays a vital role in helping families understand symptoms, stay safe, and eat well day to day. Once an IgE allergy is confirmed, we’ll build a practical, nutritionally complete plan you can follow at home—bringing relief quickly while supporting long‑term progress.
What is an IgE food allergy?
IgE‑mediated food allergy is an immune response to specific food proteins. Symptoms usually occur within minutes to two hours of eating and can range from mild to severe. This is different from non‑IgE (delayed) allergies/intolerances, which present hours to days later and are diagnosed via guided elimination and reintroduction (see our Non‑IgE Allergy page).
Common symptoms of IgE allergy
- Hives, facial rash, itching
- Lip, eye or facial swelling
- Vomiting or diarrhoea soon after eating
- Coughing, wheeze, breathing difficulty
- Anaphylaxis (medical emergency)
How we help
We take a structured, safety‑first, nutrition‑focused approach:
- Coordinate with your medical team — work alongside your paediatrician/allergist and use results from SPT/RAST to guide care.
- Keep food safe — clear avoidance strategies, label‑reading skills, cross‑contamination prevention at home, school and social events.
- Protect growth & nutrition — balanced substitutions for protein, calcium, iron, B‑vitamins and energy; fortified options where needed.
- Plan reintroductions — where appropriate and medically advised, support graded reintroduction (e.g., baked milk/egg ladders) and monitor response.
- Reduce family stress — practical meal ideas, shopping guides and lunchbox plans your child will actually eat.
What to Expect
1. Comprehensive Assessment
Your child’s allergy history, current diet, growth and test results.
2. Personalised Allergy Plan
Safe, balanced menus and substitutions; day‑care/school guidance; shopping lists and label tips.
3. On-going Support
Review progress, troubleshoot challenges, and adjust the plan as your child grows.
Available in-person (Brisbane) or via secure telehealth.
FAQs
Yes—strict avoidance is essential for IgE allergy. Later, if your specialist advises, we can support graded reintroduction (e.g., baked ladders) under guidance.
Many children outgrow certain allergies (e.g., milk or egg). We’ll work with your allergist to assess readiness and introduce food ladders safely.
We provide like‑for‑like swaps and recipes to maintain protein, calcium and micronutrients—without relying on ultra‑restricted diets.
We’ll prepare a simple, practical pack: label‑reading tips, lunchbox ideas, teacher notes and cross‑contamination guidance aligned to your Action Plan.
Practical resources
ASCIA food allergy information & action plans
Label‑reading guidance and supermarket filtering tips
Sample baked milk/egg ladder (provided where clinically appropriate)
Together, we’ll keep food safe and nutrition strong—so your child can thrive.
Let’s work together to support your baby’s growth and feeding confidence.