Will My Child Outgrow Their Food Allergy?

Many children outgrow their food allergies. Learn which allergies kids commonly outgrow, key factors to consider if they’ll outgrow them, and how often you should retest.

Children’s food allergies can have you reading every food label twice and packing safe snacks “just in case.” It can feel overwhelming, especially when even a trace of the wrong ingredient can trigger a reaction.

But there’s good news! Sometimes, children outgrow specific allergies as they get older. However, it depends on the severity of your child’s allergy, the type of allergy, and their medical history.

At Allergy and Asthma of Prosper & Celina in Prosper, Texas, we help families navigate food allergies with expert testing and guidance. Here’s what you need to know about the chances of your child outgrowing an allergy and how often you should retest.

Common allergies kids often outgrow

While childhood allergies can be common, some can be outgrown. For example, milk is a common allergy in young children, yet by the time they reach 16, they’ve usually outgrown it. This is especially true if the allergies were mild to begin with and your child received a proper diagnosis.

Besides milk, children can be allergic to:

Eggs
Soy
Wheat
Peanuts
Shellfish
Tree nuts (cashews and walnuts)

Yet, some allergies are more difficult to outgrow, and your child may have them for life.

More persistent allergies

While children often grow out of an egg or milk allergy, other allergies tend to be lifelong.

Such allergies include:

Peanuts
Tree nuts
Fish and shellfish
Sesame

Most children with peanut allergies don’t outgrow them. However, allergies do vary from child to child. That’s why routine testing and observation over time are essential.

What affects whether a child outgrows an allergy

Several factors play a role in whether your child might outgrow their allergy. Those factors include:

Severity

Children with mild or non-anaphylactic reactions tend to have a higher chance of resolution.

Blood tests

Blood tests can measure your child’s allergy antibodies. If they show a downward trend over time, that can be an indication that the child is growing out of it.

Skin prick test

This standard allergen test uses a tiny drop of liquid containing a purified allergen extract on your child’s skin. We then prick the skin through the drop, allowing the allergen to enter the skin. After 15-20 minutes, we check for a reaction.

If the reaction is milder than previous tests, this may be a sign your child is outgrowing the allergy.

Age of diagnosis

Regular testing helps track changes and gives your family a clearer picture over time.

When to consider retesting

If your child has a confirmed allergy, we often recommend testing every 1-2 years, depending on your child’s medical history and the specific allergy. This procedure often includes an updated skin prick or blood test so we can have a record of your child’s reaction.

How to plan your future

Not all children outgrow food allergies, but many do, especially milk or egg allergies. For a full evaluation and recommendations tailored to your child’s experience, the expert team at Allergy and Asthma of Prosper and Celina, Texas, can help you feel confident about handling your child’s exposure.

You can make an appointment online with our online scheduling tool, or call one of our office locations.