Food allergy testing is an important and often vital path to take if you
suspect your child has food allergies. Ask your pediatrician to refer you to a
pediatric allergist for these tests. To find out more about these tests,
click
here.
In addition to this testing, creating a
food journal is the best way to determine what your child is reacting to. He or she may not have true food allergies, but can be intolerant, which
will not be evident through allergy testing. The food journal doesn't have to
be fancy - a simple spiral notebook will do just fine. A notebook will also be easy
to keep with your child, whether he or she is in school, the baby sitter's house or a
restaurant.
Begin by
eliminating the 9 most common triggers of food allergies:
Then after one
week with none of these, first introduce dairy. Make a page
for each new day. Write the date, the weather, and any medications your child may
take that day. Then simply write down everything your child eats and drinks.
Include the one trigger your child is eating that week.
Along with that, note his or her temperament, as well as the activities for the day.
These can be simple notes. Jot down if your child seems tired, irritable, happy, has
a temper tantrum, potty accident and so forth. Be sure to list activities that
might have made him tired. Bedtimes are important, as well as nap times, if
any. If your child shows any physical symptoms, write those down too.
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Now for the
detective work. Start looking for patterns. Look for grumpy days, and see if
there is a common food. Be sure to make note of the additives in the foods that
might be triggering these patterns. Did that juice have a dye in it? Did she
have sulfites in foods like hotdogs and lunchmeat? Remember, it may take a day or
two to even react to a food, so look back a few days when trying to find a pattern.
If you think your child is reacting to the one trigger of the week, stop it
immediately and do not reintroduce it. Continue your testing, and make an
appointment with your pediatric allergist to have your child tested for that
ingredient. NOTE! Your child may test negative, but STILL BE
INTOLERANT TO THE FOOD. Bottom line, if your child reacts, do not give
your child that food.
When you
think you are on to something other than the trigger of the
week, stop that food, liquid or additive immediately. Make
sure your child does not have this for at least two weeks. Then,
after you have been through the nine most common triggers,
introduce the suspect food when
you are with the child all day. Make note of any symptoms that result from this
test. Again, it may take a day or two for your child to react. IF YOU
SUSPECT YOUR CHILD WILL HAVE A PHYSICAL REACTION THAT IS UNHEALTHY, BE SURE TO HAVE YOUR
PEDIATRICIAN INVOLVED IN THIS TEST! Food allergies can be deadly, and a
professional must be involved in any food challenges that may put your child at risk!
If you think your child is reacting to the one trigger of the week, stop it
immediately and do not reintroduce it. Continue your testing, and make an
appointment with your pediatric allergist to have your child tested for that
ingredient. NOTE! Your child may test negative, but STILL BE
INTOLERANT TO THE FOOD. Bottom line, if your child reacts, do not give
your child that food.