A reaction after food can leave you wondering what happened and what your child can safely eat next. Allergy, intolerance and coeliac disease are different, so guessing from symptoms can make things harder. This guide helps you prepare for a GP appointment and share an agreed care plan with other carers.
If a reaction could be an emergency
Sudden swelling of the mouth, tongue or throat, breathing difficulty, fainting or a floppy, unresponsive child can be signs of anaphylaxis. Do not wait for a rash. If you suspect anaphylaxis, use the person’s prescribed adrenaline auto-injector immediately if available, following its instructions, and call 999. Say “anaphylaxis”.
Lie them down, with legs raised. If breathing is difficult, raise their shoulders or help them sit up slowly. Do not let them stand or walk. If they have not improved after five minutes, use a second auto-injector if available. Antihistamines are not a replacement for emergency adrenaline. Follow the emergency operator’s advice. Read the NHS anaphylaxis instructions.
Allergy, intolerance and coeliac disease are different
- Food allergy involves the immune system. Reactions can range in severity; a symptom list cannot tell you what is safe to try again. NHS food allergy guidance.
- Food intolerance is difficulty digesting a food or ingredient and is different from an allergy. Symptoms can overlap with other conditions, so seek advice rather than diagnosing it yourself. NHS food intolerance guidance.
- Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition. Do not start a gluten-free diet before testing without medical advice, because this can affect the results. NHS coeliac testing advice.
What to record before speaking to your GP
After any urgent needs have been dealt with, make a short note for the appointment. Include what your child ate, ingredients or packaging if available, the time eaten, what happened next, how long symptoms lasted and what action you took. A photograph of a visible reaction may help if taking it does not delay care. The purpose is to give the clinician a clear account, not to run a home experiment.
Ask which tests, referrals or dietary changes are appropriate. Do not remove several foods from a child’s diet without advice from a GP or dietitian. NHS guidance warns against unsupervised restriction and unproven home tests.
Turn the care plan into an everyday routine
If your child has a diagnosis, ask for clear instructions on what to avoid and what to do after a reaction. If adrenaline auto-injectors are prescribed, make sure carers know how to use that device and where the two injectors are kept. Check expiry dates. NHS advice on preparing for anaphylaxis.
- Give nursery, school and regular carers the same current information.
- Agree who checks the bag before your child leaves home and who checks it on arrival.
- Ask what will happen at parties, shared snack times and school trips.
- Keep the plan easy to find. A useful handover is more than “they have an allergy”.
Food labels and eating out
Check labels each time, even for familiar products, and tell staff about the allergy when eating out. Ask about ingredients and cross-contamination instead of relying on the dish name. If the answer is unclear, ask again before ordering. The Food Standards Agency’s consumer guide explains allergen information and questions to ask.
You could say: “My child is allergic to [food]. Can you check the ingredients and how this is prepared?” Adapt that example to your child’s actual diagnosis and care plan.
Updated 9 September 2026. Sources checked for this update are linked beside the relevant guidance.
Leave a Reply