Recently, David Stutkus, MD, the director of the Food Allergy Treatment Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, gave a talk to a national conference of pediatricians. His remarks were obviously for the benefit of the pediatricians attending the conference, but naturally, parents are the eventual beneficiaries of his talk. Let me mention just a few of his points.

Introducing new foods to infants is very important in avoiding food allergies. There is no need to wait a certain number of days before introducing new food. You can try new foods and textures at every meal.

There is no strong evidence that food additives and dyes lead to attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms. Actual allergy to red dyes is very rare.

Children who have egg allergies do not have to avoid flu vaccine, measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine or yellow fever vaccine. Evidence supports giving the vaccines.

Patients who are allergic to shellfish can undergo imaging with contrast agents without worrying about an allergic reaction.

Eating local organic honey will not reduce or treat an allergy to any kind of pollen. There are very effective safe ways to treat inhalant allergies.

While many people get a rash while taking penicillin, almost none of them actually have an allergy to penicillin. Only high-risk patients require further evaluation. These high-risk patients have immediate-onset symptoms, blisters, or a prior or immediate serious reaction.

Dr. Stutkus had a lot more suggestions for pediatricians. If you have questions about allergies or you have heard stories that need clarification, feel free to ask your pediatrician. Just like the misinformation regarding vaccination, there are a lot of tall tales that are untrue.

Robert B. Golenbock, MD, is currently retired. He has cared for children in the Danbury area for 43 years, including at the Center for Pediatric Medicine. The CPM is located at 107 Newtown Rd., #1D, Danbury, CT 06810. For more information, call (203) 790-0822 or visit https://centerforpediatricmedct.com.