Where to start with food allergy suspicions?

[Missy J in VA]

If I want to see if my son(4) has food allergies or sensitivities or intolerance...where do I start?

Do we try gluten free? milk free?
Do we go to an allergist? How do they do the testing?

My son has speech issues, mysterious (no on can agree on a dx) hand tremors, and sensory issues. He has a very hard time with transitions, self control, going to bed, listening, etc. There are some tactile issues too. He's going to OT (private) 2x per week, and speech (school system) 2x per week.

I've tried to journal his foods before without any real pattern. He has wonderful days and challenging days. Some horrible days have happened after having a really sugary breakfast.

When he was a baby he was switched to soy formula, so we give him soy milk, but he sometimes has ice cream, yogurt smoothies. He hates cheese, sour cream, etc. and gags at the smell of it.

I also think he has dark circles under his eyes a lot even when well rested.

Our pediatrician is not helpful and I'm trying to find a new/better pediatrician. We see a neurologist for the tremors who doesn't believe in spd, and he previously blew me off when I asked about diet.

Any advice is so appreciated. I remember reading here about fiengold, so I'll try to find those posts.

[TonyaP]

For a true allergy, the food would need to be eliminated totally to tell if a difference was made. So going part soy, part dairy wouldn't work. KWIM?

The Food Allergy Bible might be a good resource to get you started. The same authors wrote a similar book under a different title which would work just as well (can't remember the title though). For online resources, check FAAN.org and KidsWithFoodAllergies.org.

Dark circles under the eyes are often called "allergy shiners." The allergy causes congestion which causes blood to pool under the eyes, hence the dark appearance. These can be caused by foods or environmental allergies. It might not hurt to have some testing done with an allergist, however testing doesn't always reveal every allergy- particularly if you are dealing with a "sensitivity" of some sort rather than a true (called "Ige mediated") allergy.

[Sue C]

For a true allergy, the food would need to be eliminated totally to tell if a difference was made. So going part soy, part dairy wouldn't work. KWIM?

The Food Allergy Bible might be a good resource to get you started. The same authors wrote a similar book under a different title which would work just as well (can't remember the title though). For online resources, check FAAN.org and KidsWithFoodAllergies.org.

Dark circles under the eyes are often called "allergy shiners." The allergy causes congestion which causes blood to pool under the eyes, hence the dark appearance. These can be caused by foods or environmental allergies. It might not hurt to have some testing done with an allergist, however testing doesn't always reveal every allergy- particularly if you are dealing with a "sensitivity" of some sort rather than a true (called "Ige mediated") allergy.

Exactly. I also am only familiar with food allergies so will let others deal with the sensitivities etc. To me the allergies look like throat swelling, breathing affected, hives, tongue itching, lips swelling. But my kids have anaphyalactic food allergies. As far as allergies go you would need either blood work or skin testing and strict avoidance is the only 'cure'. Just like Tonya said FAAN.org is a really good website.

I hope you get some answers. Food allergies can be SO frustrating!!