On Sun, 25 Jul 1999 14:15:15 EDT Katherine Murray <[log in to unmask]>
writes:

>I am interested in how many people's children react to food allergies in
>behavioral ways.

Count us in!  Alyssa has also tested negative to everything, so they term
it an intolerance.  So far we've done quite a few skin tests, but have
the paperwork get a RAST test done.  Interestingly, the different foods
tend to have slightly differing reactions.  Some are immediate, so
delayed, but almost all have a behavioral component.  She's a sweet
little girl (although she's 2 which comes with it's own issues) when
allergy free, but just impossible when reacting.  This also happens with
her environmental allergies.  It's almost always accompanied by bright
red cheeks and itching (like she has fleas).  A dose of antihistamine can
calm her down quickly.

I've talked with my allergist several times about the behavioral
reactions.  The link is controversial, but he doesn't doubt my word.  He
just warns me not to take every occurance of acting out to be an allergy
reaction.  It's generally pretty easy to tell the difference.  Other
major triggers are hunger and fatigue.  The allergy one is the only one
with red cheeks though.  The allergist agrees that disrupted sleep and
other factors due to the allergies can add to any irritablility.  He says
the itching seems to be the most unsettling in kids.

Kathy P.

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