Just curious. If your child has very severe reactions to certain food / environmental factor, how does it usually manifest itself? What is your routine to not exposing them to the triggers especially if its a number of food items regularly found in cooking?
when you took your lo to an allergist and they did the prick test. What if any follow ups were there post results?
Any allergist reco in NYC?
Anyone use any unconventional methods to keep allergies at bay?
Thanks!
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
Not entirely sure what your situation is, but here's Xander's story.
Had yogurt at 8 months - promptly broke out into hives followed by anaphylaxis - rushed to ER for treatment. A couple weeks later, ingested a milk-based formula and broke into hives. Given Benadryl and seen by pediatrician.
Our allergist appointment was a skin prick test to confirm a milk allergy. Given lots of information about milk allergies and what to look for in ingredients to avoid milk. Avoid all milk products. Also has an Epi-Pen at home and at daycare. We send hemp milk for him at daycare and alternate foods for him for lunch when necessary.
A year later, at around 20 months, we had a follow-up allergy appointment, which included a blood test. Results indicated he has a 95% chance of having a reaction to milk. We continue to avoid it completely. He has his next follow-up in November (he will be almost 33 months), which I think will include another blood test.
honeydew / 7917 posts
Both of my kids have food allergies (dairy, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, fish, and most seeds), and they share similarities and differences in their experiences. I noticed signs of intolerance/food allergies early on in both of them. LO1 had really bad eczema, which improved when I eliminated foods that I thought was triggering his skin issues. LO2 had mucousy green stool with streaks of blood, excessive spit up, and eczema. His case was worse, and it took longer to figure out all of the foods that were hurting him. Both kids showed symptoms around 2-3 months old.
I was very cautious with introducing foods with both kids. I avoided all the foods that I thought might be food allergies, and we had the kids tested by an allergist. Doctors say that test results may not be accurate if done before 1 year, and the soonest that my doctor would recommend was 6 months. LO1 was tested after a year and LO2 was tested at 10 months after a really bad reaction to wheat. Both had a skin prick test done in office along with a blood test. We go back every year to be tested to see if there are any improvements. If their numbers go down enough, then they may be eligible for a food challenge done in the office. So far LO1 has passed his baked egg, baked milk, and normal egg challenge.
To protect the kids, we bring benadryl and at least two epi-pens with us at all times. It's difficult to avoid allergies when going out to eat, and I pack food for my kids to be on the safe side. I have learned a lot in the past 4 years and have a stock pile of safe ingredients at home. I cook allergy free for everyone since it's easier that way and avoids risks of contamination. I've taught my kids to always ask before accepting food from us and others. LO1 will ask a grown up to double check the ingredients for his food allergies.
I find that one of the hardest things about being an allergy mom is that most people just don't get it. Here is a nice post about things that allergy parents wish others could understand about food allergies: http://community.kidswithfoodallergies.org/blog/22-things-we-wish-you-could-understand-about-food-allergies
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
@yin: thank you for sharing! My poor nephew is 10 and has been dealing with what *I* think is food related eczema for most of his life. The poor guy has scars all over his body from rashes, itching them and bleeding from itching. The guy is in so much discomfort when he has a reaction that my brother has to hold him for a good 45 minutes while he cries. My brother showed me his allergy list and it has a good two dozen items on it. With probably 5-6 as a category 4. Most of which are nut items. It's hard not to say too much but i am urging him to eliminate more foods from his diet and to seek another allergist. It doesn't seem like his allergist is very proactive beyond the prick test. And my brother (or SIL, who knows) seems reluctant to eliminate because then "what will he eat"? It seems like the lesser evil than having the poor guy cry for 45 minutes routinely because he's itching and burning so bad. 
they have taken him to various allergist, dermatologist and even eastern doctors. But the western doctors just prescribe cream and the eastern doctors prescribe herbal soups that my nephew refuses to drink because they're so bitter. 
kiwi / 706 posts
@regberadaisy: how are they treating the eczema topically? I.e. Wet wraps (Google national Jewish wet wrap for info) and other moisturizing, systematic steroid and/or antihistamine usage, antibiotic ointment if the sores have gotten infected, double rinsing clothes and sheets and using a free and clear detergent? My son has food allergies but can have eczema flares with unknown causes even if he has avoided his allergy foods (wheat and several types of nuts). I am not a "give meds every day" kind of person but it was necessary and helpful for my son to clear the eczema up first. Then we were able to manage it. The national Jewish site has a lot of great kids allergy resources and info.
honeydew / 7917 posts
@regberadaisy: I'm sorry that your nephew is going through so much. I agree with PP that he needs to address his scars first. Has he seen a dermatologist? It was really helpful for us, and we learned a lot about treatment and how to stay on top of his eczema. If I notice that LO is really itchy, I will give him a dose of Benadryl to control the itch and prevent him from scratching and the possibility of an infection. Does his eczema affect his sleep (waking up to scratch)? LO has a prescription for hydroxyzine, which is an antihistamine that makes him drowsy and sleep more easily. I'll admit that at first I was really hesitant to use medicines and creams to treat their eczema, but I've learned to get past that in order to keep them safe and free of infections.
Does your brother and SIL make sure to avoid all of the foods that your nephew is allergic to? Right now we're having issues with LO1 since he passed his egg challenge. We are still increasing his tolerance by eating more egg products, and as a result his eczema has been worse in the last couple of months. Sometimes you have to trust your instincts. There are a few food allergies that I have figured out on my own that were not part of his testing (most seeds, salmon, anchovies, fava beans, pure coconut, and some kinds of corn).
It sounds like there are no more foods left to eat with a big list of food allergies, but it's really not too bad. You have to go back to basics and prepare simple foods. As long as you have a safe oil option (for us that's olive oil), a little salt and pepper can go a long ways with protein and vegetables. With a limiting diet, it might be wise to see a nutritionist who can help create a healthy and balanced diet.
The weather also plays a factor. We make sure to moisturize twice a day (we use vanicream) to help, and we limit baths to only a few times a week.
I've learned to do some research on my own and to trust my instincts. There is a great community online, which I value for support and information to stay up to date on the newest findings, products, and research. http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/ is a great site for parents.
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