Sniffle Solutions

According to a 2011 study published in the journal Pediatrics, as many as one in 12 children may have a food allergy. Food allergies can cause a variety of symptoms within a few minutes to an hour after eating, including:

• Tingling or itchiness in the mouth or throat
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Swelling of the lips or around the mouth
• Rash around the mouth or anus
• Nausea/vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Gassiness
• Diarrhea
• Mucous or blood in the stool
• Eczema
• Hives
• Runny nose with clear mucus
• Watery eyes
• Wheezing

The respiratory symptoms listed above might also be caused by an allergic reaction to something in the air (like pet dander or pollen), whereas the skin problems could be a sign of an allergy to something that has touched your child's skin (like soap or clothing washed in a new laundry detergent). Gastrointestinal issues by themselves are usually not symptoms of a true allergy, but they may instead indicate intolerance to a particular food. In other words, consuming the problem food just causes digestive discomfort rather than a serious health issue.

If your child does experience a severe reaction, including wheezing, trouble breathing or swallowing, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, loss of color, clammy skin, drowsiness or fainting, get help immediately, since some allergies can be life-threatening.

Even if symptoms are mild, however, and you suspect a food allergy, take your child to an allergist. Food allergy symptoms can mimic those of many other conditions -- from the common cold to a GI bug -- but it’s important to find out whether your child is truly allergic, because the severity of reactions can vary over time.