Discovering Food Allergies

Let's start at the very beginning of the food allergy discovery.  You have just had an experience (or maybe multiple experiences) that leads you to believe your child may be having an allergic reaction to something he or she has eaten. It was likely one or more of the following common symptoms of a food allergy:

• Hives (red or white, and usually itchy bumps on the skin)
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Itchy skin or eczema
• Tingling or itching in the mouth
• Shortness of breath, wheezing, nasal congestion or other difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Swelling of lips, face, tongue, throat or other parts of the body
• Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting
• Pale skin
• Anaphylaxis (constriction of airways, swollen throat, shock, drop in blood pressure, rapid pulse, dizziness or loss of consciousness, usually affects several areas of the body – requires immediate medical attention)

If your child has experienced some of the above symptoms and you are suspicious that it might be a food allergy, it might be a good idea to schedule an appointment with your doctor.  In the case of a severe reaction, don’t wait for an appointment with the doctor, seek immediate medical attention. 

Discovering a food allergy can be quite alarming.  A reaction can occur within minutes or up to two hours after eating or coming in contact with an offending food.  It can be a fairly mild reaction, causing discomfort and irritation, or it can be a severe and even life-threatening experience.

Our food allergy discovery occurred in 2007 when I stopped nursing our 7 month old baby.  He vehemently refused to take any milk-based brand of formula we offered, but cried out with hunger.  One day when trying yet another brand of formula, we accidentally spilled some of it on his cheek.  Within minutes, everywhere the milk had touched his skin was inflamed with red and white hives.  We immediately switched to a soy based formula and he gulped down the formula with no problems at all.  We later came to realize that the severe eczema he had all over his face and head were likely caused by the dairy I was eating when I was nursing him. Once we removed the food he was allergic to, his itchy skin and oozing sores healed and he had a healthy glow again.  That was our initial introduction to food allergies, and thankfully it wasn’t a life threatening experience.  Everyone is always curious about how we found out, and I’m sure others would like to know your experience as well.

What’s your story?  Where did your allergy discovery begin?

References:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/food-allergy/DS00082/DSECTION=symptoms

http://kidshealth.org/kid/ill_injure/sick/food_allergies.html#