The Allergic (Atopic) March

The development of allergy with age has been described as an "allergic march". 

The 'march' implies a given sequence in the development of allergy. 

The manifestation of atopic disease varies considerably with the child's age, as do the allergens involved. In infancy, allergic children usually present with atopic eczema.

When weaning from breast milk takes place, food allergies may then present. The most typical food allergies in childhood include egg milk, peanut, soya, wheat, fish, shellfish, kiwi and sesame.

Of course, bottle-fed younger children may present even earlier with cow milk allergy.

After the age of 3 years, allergy to inhaled allergens becomes more dominant, with many allergic children developing asthma and rhinitis.

The development of pollen allergy then offers more opportunity to develop food Type II allergies if the Oral Allergy Syndrome develops.

We aim to facilitate early strategies in an attempt to interrupt the above sequence.