Salicylates Sensitivity

Updated on February 01, 2008
S.S. asks from Monterey, CA
7 answers

My 7-year-old is allergic to artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. We just discovered that she also reacts to salicylates. Since this is a totally new area for us, I'd love to connect with other moms with similar experiences.

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C.H.

answers from San Francisco on

Dr. Finegold wrote a great book (back in the 70's)
Check out Google to learn more.

Our whole family was on the Finegold "diet" for one month and each person benefitted.

Trust your inner voice to do what is best for your loved one.

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D.D.

answers from San Francisco on

Check out the feingold institute. They are an organization that is all about this.
Search for them on-line. They have a newsletter and will be a tremendous resource for you.

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N.H.

answers from San Francisco on

Check out Benjamin Feingold's work on salicylates and NOURISHING HOPE, by Julie Matthews. Both offer some supportive ways to clean up the diet with whole, unpackaged foods, without going crazy doing it.

You may also want to check out the Gut and Psychology Syndrome research, particularly that of Natasha Campbell-McBride.

The problem with these chemicals is that they add to our total burden, reducing the effectiveness of the liver and digestion, impacting the brain. The formation of our most abundant calming neurotransmitter, Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA), is impaired by salicylates, among other things like lack of protein. Feingold, a Bay Area pediatrician, found in 1979-1984 that when he removed these chemicals (including the ones occurring naturally in foods like berries, for example), test scores on standardized tests improved significantly for the children in the study.

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S.R.

answers from San Francisco on

1) There is a difference between an intolerance and an allergy. If you define this as an intolerance (her body can't handle it), others will be more receptive and won't sneak that red popsicle to her at the class picnic behind your back. (Some people just can't "get" that some kids just can't handle these substances.)

2) It's going to be a matter of controlling her diet and being ahead of the curve on kid's parties (desserts, favors, Halloween) so that she can enjoy her own sweet desserts and snacks without feeling left out.
She will feel better when she stops ingesting the offending substances. And, when you go to parties, you can point out to her (privatly, after the party) the kid(s) who go bonkers from the red corn syrup fruit drink and begin to make those comparisons, so that she gets the idea that taking care of her health now is a big girl thing to do.
My son had numerous allergies, including salicylates and we were very strict about restricting them. The hard part was apples, but as his immune system matured, he can now handle apples. We still stay away from any dyes. He's 14.
3) Also, we talked openly about it all the time. We asked him how he felt. He ended up having (and still does) the best diet of any of his friends. He learned at an early age that what you put in your mouth matters for health and well-being. We started when he was five.
4) You can do an Internet search for this kind of intolerance. And, Doris Rapp's book IS THIS YOUR CHILD? has some useful information. Any of the gf/cf diet forums will probably have a salicylate offshoot.

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A.O.

answers from Fresno on

Well we just found out that my daughter who will turning 2 in May is highly allergic to peanuts. And my Husband is highly allergic to eggs, shellfish, and spicy food, me tomatoes, beans and fish.
So our household is fun. But i wouldn't change for any thing you start to learn what she can and can't eat and see how highly allergic some foods can be very minor and not bother her as some. Did the doctor tell you to stay away from those things? Or did he give you an idea of what kinds of food to look for?
What i do is my husband has his food,i have mine, and then our daughters i fix for each one usely the same but i do my husband first because of the eggs, surprisely they are not in alot of unhealthy foods. When shopping take a few minutes longer to see what is in the foods start narrowing it down to what she can have after awhile in will be second nature to you. Don't stress or panic when she does it a reaction (i use to be and E.M.T and firefighter) so panicing will make her start to stress,try to make it seem like ok, less take care of it. Because when u stress she feels it and her heart rate will go up which will react to the hormone levels to go up.
Just remember things do happen you can't get to upset because for some it not an everyday thing just keep her epupine with you or some benadryl close by, i keep both of mine in the house one in her bag and in mine. you never know.
I also try to explain to my daughter she can't have that because it will make her sick and feel nasty she kinda getting it so when i say it she starting to just walk away and now i give her a little snack she can have for understanding but she still so young.
And she has had to major reactions each time gets worst. so tell people if they are around or watching her. If she dows get a hold of these foods and stats to get hives or a rash give her some benadryl then call me! And if it gets to where she can't breath give her epupine. It is a scary thing not going to lie. It kills me to see my baby like that but after it all said and done and she ok, then i cry and hung her.
Just also too remember your not alone.
i hope this helps in any way.

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C.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Try to read labels and make your child aware of doing the same to avoid having a mishap. It's hard sometimes to be different, so have alternative snacks available when times arise that your child cannot have what others are having. Your child won't want to have unfavorable experiences in front of others so they'll most likely follow your suggestions. It's hard but I hope all goes well. Best of luck!

C.

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C.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi, I know a few kids with these allergies, my own kids have the artificial coloring and so on and dairy and gluten allergy. My friend who's son has the salicylates allergy also has the gluten intolerance.I dont really know what the problems were with your daughter before she had the allergy and now that you are dealing with it with the feingold diet i hope. This boy is very sensitive to pepper, so he cannot have any store bought sausages or prepared meats. He reacts really badly to almonds and apples, but pears are OK for him.
I think it is a very personal thing and if you want to be careful you better prepare everything they eat yourself, i hope your daughter has gotten rid of her problems but if she is still pale and underweight, test the gluten because that is a big one these days with a lot of sensitive children, luckily there are so many glutenfree and allergen free products on the market and the internet, if you want to know more please contact me greetings C.

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