A waiting room with beige chairs arranged along the walls, a small table with a decorative pumpkin, and a sign that reads 'NY Food Allergy & Wellness.' There is a fireplace with a digital flame display and a wall-mounted TV above it. The room has a modern, minimalist decor with neutral colors.
Mom feeding baby: early allergen introduction
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Early Allergen

Introduction in Infancy

Protecting your child against common food allergies through evidence-based early introduction strategies.

SUCCESS
STORIES

20+

30+

YEARS OF
EXPERIENCE

ALLERGENS
TREATED

Waiting room with cream-colored chairs arranged in a semi-circle facing a TV screen displaying flames, with a white bench and two decorative pillows. There are small gold shelves with plants and figurines on either side of the TV. A sign on the wall reads 'NY Food Allergy & Wellness,' with a pumpkin decoration on a white table below.
Mom feeding baby: early allergen introduction
Abstract design with black and gold curved waves on a white background.

Early Allergen

Introduction in Infancy

Protecting your child against common food allergies through evidence-based early introduction strategies.

SUCCESS
STORIES

20+

YEARS OF
EXPERIENCE

30+

ALLERGENS
TREATED

Why Early
Introduction Matters

Landmark trials have upended past avoidance advice: the LEAP study demonstrated that introducing peanut products between 4–11 months reduced peanut allergy risk by 81 percent at age 5. Early, regular ingestion of allergens trains the immune system toward tolerance rather than sensitization.

Guidelines for Early

Allergen Introduction

  • High-Risk Infants (severe eczema or existing egg allergy):
    Introduce peanut under medical supervision at 4–6 months after evaluation.

  • Moderate-Risk Infants (mild-moderate eczema):
    Offer peanut and egg at home around 4–6 months without delay.

  • Low-Risk Infants (no eczema):
    Integrate allergenic foods freely with other solids by 6-12 months. Sooner the better.

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Expanding to Other Allergenic Foods

  • Egg: Cooked egg introduced at 6 months reduces egg allergy risk; start with well-cooked, mashed forms.

  • Multiple Allergens: Early, regular exposure to milk, soy, wheat, sesame, and shellfish around 4–6 months supports broad tolerance development.

peanuts
peanuts

Landmark Trial Evidence

  • LEAP Trial: Early peanut consumption cut peanut allergy incidence by 81 percent at age 5.

  • LEAP-On Follow-Up: Protective effects persisted into adolescence, with a 71 percent reduction even when intake varied.

Turning Knowledge into Action

Next Steps After Learning About Early Introduction

  1. Consult Your Pediatrician/Allergist
    Review family history, eczema status, and individualized feeding plan.

  2. Maintain an Introduction Log
    Record foods, dates, and any reactions over the first 2 weeks.

  3. Begin Small, Age-Appropriate Servings
    Thinned peanut butter in purees; finely scrambled egg.

  4. If High Risk or Concerned or Anxious
    Contact us at 212-301-7636 for information, consultation or testing

Advanced Food Allergy Testing:

Precision Meets Exclusivity

At NY Food Allergy & Wellness, the best food allergy institution, we go beyond standard diagnostics to ensure the most thorough and accurate results for our high-end clientele. Our advanced testing methods include:

  • Basophil Activation Test (BAT): As noted in Phase 2, BAT provides unparalleled sensitivity for complex cases like peanut allergy, exclusive to our institution.

  • Skin Prick Testing: A quick method to identify reactions to allergens like dairy or shellfish, conducted with care in our Upper East Side facility.

  • IgE Blood Tests: Measures specific antibodies to confirm allergies, ensuring a comprehensive diagnosis.

  • Component-Resolved Diagnostics (CRD): Breaks down allergens into molecular components, offering insights into cross-reactivity and true vs. false positive for peanuts, eggs, milk, sesame, tree-nuts, wheat and many more.

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Dr. Atul Shah:

Pioneering Food Allergy
Treatments in Manhattan.

Dr. Atul Shah, MD, FACAAI, FAAAAI, is the founder of NY Food Allergy & Wellness and a renowned allergist with over 20 years of experience. With more than 15,000 success stories across children, teens, and adults, Dr. Shah’s expertise knows no age limits. He holds dual fellowships and has been honored with prestigious awards, including America’s Top Physician. Dr. Shah is a leader in allergy care, offering personalized, life-changing treatments for all ages.

Dr. Atul Shah, MD, FACAAI, FAAAAI, is the founder of NY Food Allergy & Wellness & a renowned allergist with over 20 years of experience. With more than 15,000 success stories across children, teens, & adults, Dr. Shah’s expertise knows no age limits. He holds dual fellowships & has been honored with prestigious awards, including America’s Top Physician. Dr. Shah is a leader in allergy care, offering personalized, life-changing treatments.

Why One-on-One Care at NYFA

Outshines Larger Institutions

NY Food Allergy & Wellness, the best food allergy institution, offers a private practice experience that sets us apart. Our clients from the Upper East Side, Scarsdale, and Roslyn benefit from:

  • Discretion and Privacy: A quiet, upscale environment ensures your care remains confidential.

  • Tailored Treatment Plans: Every step of the FATE™ Program is customized to your unique needs.

  • Direct Access to Expertise: Work closely with Dr. Shah, benefiting from over 20 years of experience and 15,000 success stories.

  • Onsite Testing: Needed skin tests and blood tests are arranged onsite while you are in the office. We’re the only CLIA-certified and DOH-approved Basophil Activation Test (BAT) lab in New York State, offering cutting-edge diagnostics to get an accurate diagnosis unavailable elsewhere.

  • Food Oral Challenges, SLIT, OIT in Exclusive and Private Setting: Everything needed is done safely in a child and adult friendly environment in an exclusive private setting.

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Food Allergy Symptom FAQ

  • High-risk: 4–6 months under supervision; others: by 6-12 months.

  • Use thinned peanut butter in cereal or purees; offer well-cooked, mashed egg in small amounts.

  • Severe eczema: get an allergist referral before early introduction; mild-moderate: follow home-based guidelines.

  • Early introduction greatly lowers peanut and egg allergy risks but doesn’t guarantee prevention of every allergy

  • Early introduction becomes even more important if a sibling has food allergies. Please consult us for a guideline on how to introduce foods to baby sibling.

The Gold Standard in Food Allergy Diagnosis:

   The FATE™ Program at NY Food Allergy & Wellness   

The FATE™ Program
Girl looking at food she is allergic to

Start Your Journey to Food Allergy Freedom Today

Ready to take control of your food allergies? Connect with Dr. Atul Shah to begin your journey. Schedule a telehealth consultation or in-person visit with NY Food Allergy & Wellness to explore the FATE™ Program and start building tolerance to your allergens. With at-home testing, personalized plans, and expert guidance, food allergy desensitization has never been more accessible.

Don’t let food allergies hold you back. Take the first step toward a life without fear—contact us today!

Dr. Atul Shah’s FATE™ Program has helped over 15,000 patients, offering a proprietary, one-on-one approach that stands apart from larger institutions. As New York’s only certified BAT allergy lab, our DOH-approved, CLIA-certified facility provides unique insights that others don’t, allowing for more precise desensitization for children, teens, and adults—even into their 50s. This private practice model ensures personalized care, helping patients regain confidence in their lives, careers, & overall well-being.

What our patients are saying...

About Dr. Atul Shah: Testimonials

Dr. Shah Interview with Donna Drake

Food Allergy Success: Cameron

Testimonials
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