Q.  My husband has food allergies and I have pollen allergies. My concern is for our 9-month-old son. I’m breastfeeding but am aware that most people introduce cow’s milk at one year. Would you suggest we do the same for our son? Also, is there any “safer” way to introduce it? Dr. Waserman: Having allergic [...]

Q.  I just moved to Toronto from Italy. I was considered “peach allergic” there, but here, my GP says the symptoms are oral allergy syndrome and to avoid raw peaches. But I’m not convinced; I did get hives and throat tightness after toast with a jam (that turned out to be peach). How do I [...]

Q.  I have a soy allergy, and find that many personal care products, such as shampoos and body wash, contain soy. How concerned do I need to be about soy in these types of products? Dr. Pistiner: Although oral ingestion is the most common and concerning form of exposure to an allergen, such as soy, [...]

Q.  My daughter is allergic to several tree nuts, and is just starting kindergarten. Her school restricts peanuts, but not tree nuts. Can you give me any advice on how to keep her safe at school? Dr. Pistiner: Passing the responsibility of caring for children with food allergies to others can be tricky and anxiety-provoking. [...]

Q. I was stung by a wasp last year, with no reaction. About three weeks later I was stung again and my lips and ears swelled, as did my arm where I was stung. I’ve been told I’m anaphylactic now, and I’m afraid when I’m outside. How do I go on living a normal life? [...]

Q. My son has asthma, and outdoor molds are a trigger in fall. What can I do? Pat Steele, CRE: Molds are spores produced by certain fungi. They exist in humid places both indoors and outside. The most important step you can take to help your son is to avoid the trigger. Keep your windows [...]

Q. My son is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts and all seeds. I’m curious about the seed allergies: why is sesame viewed as a major allergen and declared in the ingredients of foods while sunflower seeds and oil are not? Also, since seeds are an issue, should we be worrying about mustard and mustard seed? Dr. Watson: [...]

Q. Can I react to the smell of peanut/nuts? Dr. Ham Pong: You can be assured that anaphylaxis to airborne food particles is very rare. An allergic reaction to food will not occur because someone is eating it in a classroom or vicinity of the allergic person. The main reason for advising that the allergenic [...]

Q. I have three children, aged 12, 7 and 18 months. My 12-year-old daughter developed peanut allergy at 2. My 7-year-old daughter had a test at 3 and wasn’t allergic to peanut. Now at age 7, she is. Why is that? And is there anything preventative I can do for my 18-month-old son? Dr. Watson: [...]

Q. My son suffers with rashes to poison ivy at the cottage. Is this an allergy? Dr. Skotnicki: The rash you get from touching poison ivy is an allergic response to the plant’s resin, called urushiol. Poison ivy allergic contact dermatitis usually appears 24 hours after exposure and can range from being mildly red, swollen [...]