What is an Allergy?
An allergic response occurs when the body, for various reasons, identifies an otherwise harmless food item as a dangerous invader. When this happens, the body creates an outpouring of antibodies to eliminate the invader. Allergic reactions fall into two categories: immediate and delayed reactions.

Immediate reactions can occur within minutes of eating the questionable food item and can involve symptoms such as wheezing, skin rashes and excess mucous production. In rare situations, immediate reactions can be life threatening due to the constriction of airways. This type of allergic response is called anaphylactic. An example of an anaphylactic allergic response is when a child’s throat begins to close following consumption of a peanut. This type of allergic response is fixed and can never be challenged – the food item must be strictly avoided. Parents of children who suffer from anaphylactic reactions should always carry an EpiPen (a shot of epinephrine injected into the skin) in case of emergency situations. Only 1% of all children have anaphylactic reactions.

The second type of reaction is known as a delayed response. Most food sensitivities and intolerances fall into this category. Due to the delayed appearance of symptoms (anywhere from one hour to days), these food allergies are more difficult to detect. For example, a child who is allergic to wheat may react one or two days later with eczema on his cheeks. When food sensitivities go undetected, it is not uncommon for other symptoms to begin “popping up” elsewhere in the body.

The signs and symptoms of food sensitivities vary greatly depending on the body’s response and can include:

• Allergic shiners (puffiness or dark circles under the eyes)
• Anxiety
• Asthma
• Attention-deficit disorder
• Bed-wetting
• Bronchial infections
• Colic
• Constipation
• Crohn’s disease or colitis
• Diarrhea
• Ear infections
• Eczema
• Frequent infections
• Hyperactivity
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Obesity or excess weight
• Rashes
• Runny nose
• Spitting up in infants
• Vomiting