Can Food Allergies Cause Behavior Problems?

Updated on 17 Apr 2009,
Published on 24 Jun 2008

The question, ‘can food allergies cause behavior problems?’ is asked by many people and the answer lies in the question itself. Where there is an allergy, be it food allergy, drug allergy or any other, there are bound to be problems, which include behavioral disturbances also. However, it has been seen that people, both adults and children, with allergic reactions to certain food ingredients are more prone to behavior problems.

There is no denying the fact that when a person is affected by any disease, there are some changes to be seen in his/her behavior patterns. And Food Allergy reactions are no exception, as they disturb the behavior of the allergic person. This vicious circle has gravely affected the behavior pattern, especially of the children.

The allergens present in the different food items, affect the basic senses of the children. The affected children look disturbed and gradually, the learning or remembering abilities get impaired. The basic symptoms of behavior disorder due to food allergy can be observed within a short time of eating the allergic food item.

The person may get aggressive or start screaming and the behavior becomes more and more complicated. The child may throw tantrums or become hyper.

It has also been observed that their sense of feeling emotions also gets affected, as while at one moment, they look joyous and then within a few moments, they become irritating and quarrelsome, giving out clear indication that their brain has also been affected by the abnormal over-reaction due to the allergen.

It is a clear indication that the food allergies do affect the behavioral pattern of the person.

Thus, it is no secret that food allergies can lead to certain behavioral problems, but the need of the hour is to save the childhood from getting engulfed by the vicious circle. So, immediately after seeing any of the symptoms of food allergy, do consult a physician.

7 Response(s)
Karen
Lately I have been noticing changes in my daughter’s eating habits and behavior. Is she suffering from food allergy?
Sandra
I have an infant boy of about one and a half year old. He does not throw any tantrums as such but he refuses to eat anything that contains gluten. I don’t understand. Could this be a case of allergic reactions?
Taylor
I have experienced the same thing when I was a kid, later on was discovered that I was allergic to milk and chocolate.
Moore
I did not know that food allergy can affect our behavior. Interesting indeed!!
Wilson
Fantabulous!!
heather
Sandra, Yes. That could be why he's not eating. As of yesterday, I found out why my 2yr old won't eat anything that has peanuts or any type of nut in it. He spits it out instantly because he's having a reaction to it, by his tonuge itching. I'm so glad he's never ate a peanut before, he's highly allergic to them. You should consider having your son seen by a children allergist, so they can test him.
Michele
I have a son who I realized was allergic to milk and other things at the age of 6 months. I had taken him to the hospital already twice by this time violently ill. The Dr.s did not know what was wrong with him. Later we discovered he had many allergies. They have lessened some. however I believe that when he ingests those particular items and does not have an outward reaction, his body still does. Whether it be emotionally or physically, the allergy is still there.
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