How Children Convey Their Allergy Symptoms

Filed in archive Food Allergies , Living with Allergies on December 4, 2006

One of the crucial things when your child experiences allergic reactions is his ability to let you know that something's amiss. However, even if your child can already speak straight and has a good command of the language, sometimes, children describe their symptoms in a way that doesn't immediately send alarms ringing to us parents.

In addition to physical signs such as hives and swelling, the Allergy Alert Stuff shares some "verbal codes" that children use to say "I'm having an allergic reaction and I need help!":

• This food's too spicy.


• My tongue is hot (or burning).


• It feels like something's poking my tongue.


• My tongue (or mouth) is tingling (or burning).


• My tongue (or mouth) itches.


• It (my tongue) feels like there is hair on it.


• My mouth feels funny.


• There's a frog in my throat.


• There's something stuck in my throat.


• My tongue feels full (or heavy).


• My lips feel tight.


• It feels like there are bugs in there (to describe itchy ears).


• It [my throat] feels thick.


• It feels like a bump is on the back of my tongue [throat].

If you hear your child saying these, have a closer look. It might be more serious than you think.