Question: I believe that I may be suffering from anxiety and depression due to a reaction to salicylates in my diet. Also, it is my understanding from reading that some toothpastes may also contain salicylates, ie, such as Sensodyne for tooth sensitivity. The problem is becoming increasingly worse. I am a 71-year-old female. Any advice regarding this problem and how I might find ongoing advice would be greatly appreciated.

My concern regarding salicylates is based upon my online research which began during the time when I was drinking chamomile tea on a nightly basis as a result of insomnia. My specific concern being as to whether chamomile tea might cause nightmares that I was beginning to experience on a nightly basis. The results of my research was affirmative indicating that the night mares could be caused by the salicylates contained in chamomile tea. I then began to research what other foods, medications, etc might contain salicylates. Hence my discovery that peaches might be one such food and recently I have learned that fruit flavored yogurt, as noted before, and a number of other foods and personal care products might also contain high levels of salicylates that could lead to anxiety and panic attacks.

The anxiety that I experience is expressed as extreme nervousness and difficulty sleeping, sometimes even though I am taking a sleep aid. I also, on a regular basis, awaken in the morning feeling terrified with no idea as to why I am feeling that way. The anxiety and terror feelings are accompanied by chills running up and down my arms . The depression is a general down feeling that comes and goes with no clear explanation as to the cause.

The doctors who ordered the lab tests (an allergist and a gastroenterologist) have not addressed the possibility of my problems being caused an allergy to salicylates or any other products due to fact that not enough research has been conducted in that area.

Thank you for your response; however, I am concerned as to how the confirmation can be made that my problem stems from an abnormal fear of salicylates as a result of my research when I have not been tested to determine if indeed that I do or do not have an allergy to salicylates. Please advise if this summation is confirmed by information in the lab reports that I provided. If so, please be specific.

A recent report entitled 'Food Intolerance Netwoork Factsheet' stated the following with regard to allergies to salicylates:

What are some of the symptoms of salicylate sensitivity?

headaches or migraines
itchy skin rashes such as hives (urticaria), eczema and others
irritable bowel symptoms – reflux in babies or adults, nausea, vomiting, stomach bloating and discomfort, wind, diarrhoea and/or constipation
bedwetting, cystitis
asthma, stuffy or runny nose, nasal polyps, frequent throat clearing,
behaviour problems such as irritability, restlessness, inattention, oppositional defiance, symptoms of ADHD
sleep disturbance - difficulty falling asleep, night terrors, frequent night waking, sleep apnoea
anxiety, depression, panic attacks
rapid heart beat and arrythmias
tinnitus, hyperacusis, hearing loss
joint pain, arthritis, and more ….

In closing my concerns are based upon reports in the literature such as this. I would be more than happy to learn that my assumptions are incorrect and that I can continue to eat the foods that love; however, I am very reluctant to take medications for the anxiety that I experience due to the known side effects of drugs such as SSRIs, which frighten me more than allergies.

Again, thank you for taking the time to review my case and share your thoughts. Any final thoughts with regard to my response would be much appreciated.