Allergies caused by pollen, food, chemicals and more can actually affect a child's brain and cause problems in school. If allergies are the cause, we can prescribe a treatment which will enable the child to experience a happier, more normal life. Traditionally, a meal which includes members of all four food groups was the only guideline parents needed for healthy eating. But for some children, the food served during mealtimes may be making them sick, or adversely affect their behavior. These reactions are most commonly caused by eggs, peanuts, and shellfish and are typically noted within fifteen minutes after an individual ingests the food.
Reactions can last anywhere from several minutes to several days.
In fact, adults and children who wake up in the middle of the night feeling sick may be reacting to foods they ate at dinner. Most adverse reactions, however, subside within two hours. Because the foods are ingested so frequently, the symptoms are chronic, of a lower grade, and are quite different to diagnose. The medical problems caused by food allergies are wide ranging. But if a child is experiencing several of the symptoms, it is a good indication to parents that food may be the culprit.