Allergy symptoms

Food allergies are much more common amongst children who come from families where other members suffer from allergy. Babies who suffer from eczema are particularly at risk of having food allergies. The more severe the eczema and the earlier in life that it began, the more likely there is to be a food allergy. A baby with severe eczema before 3 months of age is very likely to suffer from food allergies.

Some food allergies are quite easy to spot – as soon as the food is eaten (often for the first or second time) an itchy rash develops, usually around the mouth. There may also be swelling of the face, runny nose and itchiness as well as vomiting. In severe reactions, there may be difficulty breathing and if this occurs an ambulance should be called immediately. Fortunately, severe reactions are very rare in young children and tend to be more of a problem amongst teenagers.

Symptoms of an Immediate food allergy

Mild to moderate symptoms typically affect the skin, the respiratory system and the gut.

• A flushed face, hives, a red and itchy rash around the mouth, tongue or eyes. This can spread across the entire body.
• Mild swelling, particularly of the lips, eyes and face.
• A runny or blocked nose, sneezing and watering eyes.
• Nausea and vomiting, tummy cramps and diarrhoea.
• A scratchy or itchy mouth and throat.

Severe symptoms (Anaphylaxis). These require urgent medical attention.

• A wheezing or chest tightness, similar to a severe asthma attack.
• Swelling of the tongue and throat, restricting the airways. This can cause noisy breathing (especially on breathing in), a cough or a change in voice.
• A sudden drop in blood pressure (called hypotension) leading to shock.
• Dizziness, confusion, collapse, loss of consciousness and sometimes coma.

Sometimes, food allergies can be more subtle and difficult to detect especially if they are delayed allergies. These allergies tend to be more of a problem in infancy. In the past, these allergies were sometimes called food intolerance, but this isn’t the correct term because, strictly speaking, an intolerance doesn’t involve the immune system. Delayed allergic reactions do involve the immune system, but unlike the histamine release characteristic of an immediate reaction, delayed allergies involve parts of the immune system that take much longer to respond. The end result means it’s difficult to pinpoint a particular as the problem and sufferers may continue to eat and drink it.

Delayed allergies in infants may cause chronic symptoms such as eczema, reflux, colic, poor growth, diarrhoea or even constipation. The symptoms only get better when the food is removed from the diet, with milk, soy, egg and wheat being the most common culprits. However, all of these symptoms commonly occur during childhood and an allergy is only one possible explanation, not the only one. Trying to work out if the underlying problem is due to a food allergy can be very difficult and requires the help of an experienced doctor.

Symptoms of delayed food allergy

• Eczema
• Reflux - an effortless vomiting
• Poor growth
• Swelling in the small bowel
• Constipation and/or diarrhoea
• Raising knees to chest with tummy pain
• Frequent distress and crying