Is Your "Pollen Allergy" Really a Food Allergy

Is your pollen allergy really a food allergy? Here areunder the age of 8 than in older children and adults.
ten ways to tell.6. Children with eczema or who frequently get
1. Food-induced symptoms in the respiratory tract arecontact dermatitis or diaper rash, especially after
typically accompanied by rashes, hives, or itching skin,eating new foods, are at increased risk for
and they also cause nausea, vomiting, burping, orfood-induced asthma.
diarrhea.7. Food allergies may make asthmatic reactions to
2. Food-induced symptoms in the respiratory tractdust and drafts worse without causing obvious
seldom occur "one at a time." For instance,symptoms just after eating the food.
allergy-provoking foods won't just make you sneeze,8. Food allergy probably is not related to middle ear
they will make you sneeze, your eyes water, andinfections.
give you an itchy throat.9. Asthmatic reactions to food additives are rare but
3. Eggs, fish and shellfish (including tuna), milk, treecan be severe.
nuts, and peanuts are among the most common10. Asthmatic reactions to foods themselves can be
causes of respiratory allergies.severe and even fatal.
4. Children who get colicky after being fed certainIf you're using air filters and staying indoors to
foods during infancy are likely to suffer allergies whenprevent a food allergy, you aren't going to get
they eat those foods later in life. These foodsbetter. Recognizing food allergy is the first step to
commonly include not just milk but also fruit juices.treating it.
5. Food-inducing asthma is more common in children