A ) Skin

• itching—any body part
• eczema
• recurrent hives
• fungal infections (athlete’s foot or yeast infections)
• excessive sweating particularly at night
• acne
• family history of skin problems
• skin problems as a baby
• hair loss
• brittle nails
• recurrent red or flushed cheeks
• dislike of being cuddled or touched
• small pimples on buttocks
• scalded, red appearance on buttocks as a baby
• rapid development of hives following exposure to a food or other substance

B ) Nervous System

• headaches
• migraines
• depression
• difficulty sleeping
• excessive tiredness
• sensitivity to cold or heat
• nightmares
• mood swings
• negative, apathetic attitude
• difficulty learning sequential concepts such as telling time
• poor memory
• difficulty remembering directions, particularly if they involve several steps
• weak organizational skills
• unexplained crying spells
• angry outbursts
• restlessness
• short attention span
• unusual twitches or tics
• outbursts of foul language
• diagnosis of Tourettes syndrome
• unusual repetitive behaviours such as cracking knuckles, blinking eyes
• learning disabilities
• hyperactive behaviour
• premature birth
• excessive sensitivity to being touched
• diagnosed with autism by physician
• daytime fatigue or sleepiness
• anxiety
• restless legs
• accident-prone
• leads with same foot when climbing stairs rather than alternating feet
• excessively clingy as a child
• craves a particular food excessively
• desire to crouch or hide in small corners or under furniture
• noticeable decrease in writing or reading ability after exposure to problem food or chemical
• family history of alcoholism
• delayed speech
• reluctance to keep clothing on as a child
• extremely active in utero before delivery
• hyperactive behaviour as an infant such as shaking crib, banging head
• excessive tantrums
• easily frustrated over small events

C ) Eyes and Vision

• increased sensitivity to light
• excessive blinking
• excessive rubbing of eyes
• tired, watery eyes
• itchy or red eyes
• dark circles or bags under eyes
• wrinkles under the eyes
• difficulty following moving objects with both eyes as the same time
• difficulty keeping place when reading
• crossed eyes
• “spaced out” look and appearance of being disconnected from their environment

D ) Ears

• chronic ear infections
• decreased ability to hear
• increased sensitivity to noise
• ringing in the ears
• repeated courses of antibiotics
• redness on the outside of one or both ears

E ) Nose

• chronic stuffy nose
• chronic runny nose
• repeated rubbing and itching of nose
• excessive sneezing
• repeated sinus infections
• reduced or heightened sense of smell
• recurrent nose bleeds
• pain from blocked sinuses
• hayfever
• repeated use of antihistamines

F ) Mouth and Throat

• bad taste in mouth
• bad breath
• chronic tonsillitis
• hoarse voice
• persistent and recurrent canker sores
• constant clearing of throat
• swollen, red, cracked lips
• excessive thirst, particularly for carbonated drinks
• sucking on fingers or clothes
• recurrent cold sores
• thick, white coating on tongue or inside of cheeks
• relentless talking and rambling on without a great deal of meaning
• stuttering
• excessive drooling as an infant
• unusual moans, groans, or strange sounds repeated often
• history of mouth infections such as thrush
• history of recurrent dental disease
• diagnosed with enlarged thyroid or underactive thyroid
• feeling of having a lump in the throat
• enlarged thyroid, diagnosed with hyper or hypothyroidism

G ) Lungs and Heart

• persistent cough during the day
• persistent cough at night
• family history of asthma
• asthma (diagnosed by MD)
• recurrent croup as a child
• recurrent bronchitis
• recurrent pneumonia
• taking asthma medications
• wheezing when exercising
• shortness of breath when exercising or climbing stairs or hills
• wheezing in cold weather
• rapid onset of respiratory distress symptoms upon contact with specific food or other substance

H ) Digestive Tract

• bloating and excessive gas
• recurrent hiccoughs
• increased or decreased appetite
• itchy, red, area around anus
• recurrent diarrhea
• recurrent constipation
• chronic stomach aches
• tendency to become overweight easily
• underweight for age
• soiling of underwear with stool
• hemorrhoids
• history of colic as an infant
• family history of digestive complaints
• chronic esophageal reflux (heartburn)
• repeated choking
• history of low blood sugar
• history of excessive spitting up as an infant
• repeated vomiting as an infant or child
• recurrent hiccoughs while baby in uterus of mother
• stomach ulcers
• gall bladder disease or removal of gall bladder
• bulemia
• anorexia
• family history of eating disorders
• diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome
• diagnosed with Crohn’s disease
• diagnosed with ulcerative colitis
• diagnosed with other bowel disease
• episode of severe travelers diarrhea

I ) Muscles and Joints

• swollen feet and legs
• cold hands and feet
• muscle cramps and spasms during the day
• muscles cramps and spasms, particularly at night
• muscle stiffness, particularly in the morning
• sore, aching muscles
• muscle weakness on exertion
• numbness in fingers or toes
• fibromyalgia
• autoimmune disease such as systemic lupus, or ankylosing spondylitis
• slouches often and falls over if pushed even slightly when sitting or standing
• difficulty performing exercises that require bilaternal coordination such as jumping jacks
• walking by seven to ten months
• sore, stiff joints
• arthritis

J ) Urinary and Genital Tract

• frequent need to urinate
• bed wetting past age 3
• wetting during the day past age 3
• urgent need to urinate
• history of recurrent bladder infections
• kidney infection
• red, inflamed genital area
• itchy genital area
• heavy or irregular menstrual periods
• increase or decrease in sex drive
• genital sores
• recurrent vaginal yeast infections
• excessive pulling or rubbing of their genitals in infants and children
• HIV positive – self or other family members
• diagnosed with diabetes
• family history of diabetes
• impotence in men
• irregular menstruation in women
• painful menstruation in women
• no normal menstruation
• prostate problems in men
• prostate problems in men of extended family
• infertility
• infertility in members of extended family

K) Cardiovascular System

• high blood pressure
• high blood pressure in extended family
• higher than normal blood pressure as a child
• rapid pulse
• abnormally slow pulse without strong physical fitness
• bruise easily
• taking heart or blood pressure medication
• fluid retention – puffy ankles or hands
• congenital heart disease as a child
• congenital heart disease in a family member

Just a Reminder: Before attributing any symptom or behaviour to a food sensitivity, it is important to rule out any other serious illness.

This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for medical advice.

Before taking action on any of the information contained in this website, please consult a qualified health professional such as a nurse, a physician, or a registered dietician.

Margaret Evans does not accept any liability or responsibility for any adverse effects arising directly or indirectly as a result of information contained on this website.