Symptoms and Signs:
Signs of food allergies in children include asthma, behavioural problems, chronic illness, colic, constipation, diarrhea, ear infections, headaches, learning problems, skin rashes and eczema, sleep disturbances, fatigue, puffiness and dark circles under the eyes ("allergic shiners"), chronically swollen glands, chronic (noncyclic) fluid retention, and spitting up.
Many of the above mentioned symptoms and signs may occur in adults as well. In addition, the following symptoms may be observed: an irritating cough or tickle in the throat, swelling or itching lips, tongue and mouth, aches and pains in the joints or abdomen, and nasal congestion.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease often appears when an infant is first introduced to cereal foods. Signs include anemia, diarrhea, nutritional deficiencies, and weight loss. A baby may gain weight more slowly than normal, may look anemic or undernourished, and may have flatulence, poor appetite, and foul-smelling stools. Ulcers may also form in the mouth.
Other signs of celiac disease include large, pale or light-yellow-coloured, foul-smelling, floating stools, abdominal swelling, bone and/or joint pain, depression, dermatitis herpetiformis (red, itchy skin rash), fatigue, intense burning sensation, irritability, muscle cramps and wasting, nausea, vomiting,
