| SKIN | RESPIRATORY PASSAGES | INTESTINES | BEHAVIOR |
|---|---|---|---|
| hives red, sandpaper-like facial rash dry, scaly, itchy skin (mostly on face) swelling in hands and feet puffy eyelids dark circles under eye slip swelling tongue soreness and cracks | sneezing runny nose stuffy nose wheezing watery eyes rattling chest persistent cough congestion bronchitis recurring ear infections | burnlike rash around anus abdominal discomfort mucousy diarrhea constipation intestinal bleeding poor weight gain bloating, gassiness excessive spitting up constipation vomiting | fatigue migraine headaches hyperactivity crying irritability night-waking anxiety crankiness sore muscles and joints |
While individual signs and symptoms of food allergy are as unique as fingerprints, usually at least one of the four common target organs are involved: the respiratory passages, skin, intestines, and brain. While it’s relatively easy to spot a rash, a wheeze, a bout of diarrhea, or abdominal cramps and attribute the problem to food allergy, brain changes are more subjective. In our experience, some children can experience behavioral changes due to food sensitivity without showing any other signs or symptoms, but most food allergies attack more than one target organ. Don’t be too quick to pin the rap for your child’s school failure on food allergy, at least not without symptoms beyond the academic ones.