Food Allergies Treatment

Question by 11456!!: 14 month old tested positive for everything on food allergy test but no symptoms other than chronic eczema?
I need some help and advice please. My 14 mo old daughter just had a blood test (RAST) and the nurse just called and told me she tested positive for everything they tested her and that the levels are high. We have an appointment with the allergist to discuss the details. While I wait for the appointment, I would like to hear from other moms about their experiences.

My daughter has had eczema since she was 2 mo old. We keep up a strict skin care regime for her along with all the other recommended eczema care. She has a prescription for a corticosteroid that we use as and when needed to get her eczema under control.

She was exclusively breast-fed for the first 7 months and since then heavily breast-fed along with some solids. I have not given her any possible allergens except wheat to which she has not exhibited any specific reaction. I haven’t given her eggs, fish, diary, formula, nuts. She has had traces of diary in food items and we have not noticed a reaction.

When she was around 6-7 mo and exclusively breastfed, I had tried elimination diets by eliminating possible allergens from my diet. I ate only rice and vegetables for 2+ months but we didnt notice any change with my daughter’s eczema. I started eating everything as before and again we didnt notice any considerable differences.

Also thankfully, we have not noticed any other reactions in her other than the eczema. No diarrhea, no bloody or mucusy stools, no throwing up or wheezing. She gets colds and nasal congestion from time to time that lasts long. But I wouldn’t think it is associated to food allergies.

So here I am wondering about the nurse’s comment “Your daughter tested positive for everything possible in the list and the levels are high”. The test was just for food items.

While I wait to see the allergist, I would highly appreciate if you could share your experiences.

1. Did your toddler tested high for food allergies but had no symptoms other than eczema? (Though I wonder if the eczema was food related, why the elimination diet at 7 mo did not work)

2. Would it be because I haven’t offered many of the allergens to her anyways? (I have given her wheat – no reaction. Dairy – only traces). If the levels were high, wouldn’t she react even with traces?

3. Does allergies indicate that the kid is less healthy than her peers with no allergies or eczema?

4. Will they outgrow the allergies as they grow up? Or is it more likely that they keep developing new allergies?

NOTE – Family history of allergies – There is absolutely no history of allergy on my side. The father has dust and aspirin allergy. No food allergies though. Father has sensitive skin too (but nothing like eczema skin or anything)

Please provide your inputs/insights. Thanks!

Best answer:

Answer by ihateyou[real]
I don’t have a kid. I’m 18 but I have eczema since the age of 2/3 and so does my younger sister and cousins. I’m not a doctor but I’ll share whatever knowledge I have based on my experience!

Where I live, you have to be at least 2 to have an allergy test. That’s good for your daughter! Okay, eczema is just not just triggered by food. It is also triggered by environmental factors. And even things as fabrics with certain clothing. I’d suggest just using cotton clothing for her. Even for bed sheets and blankets. Hopefully you’ll notice a difference. If you’re going to dress her up, make sure the dress has cotton lining. Polyester and stuff irritates the skin!

It could be a weird allergy. For all we know, it could be gluton. Do you have any pets? Maybe that could be the cause. If you have allergies or eczema, yeah you are less healthy than the next kid. Because the reason you have allergies and eczema is because your immune system is weak. My sister has food allergies also and her symptoms are only eczema. This is common when you are younger. As I get older, I notice I start getting symptoms like a congested nose and itchy eyes than eczema sometimes.

Allergies change every year. I get an allergy test done every year. Although some things that you’re allergic to stay the same for a couple of years. Will her eczema get worst as she gets older? It depends on your daughter, her habits (depending on what shes allergic to), and her immune system. For me, my allergies were just disgusting and horrible from the age of 4-10. At the age of 12 my allergies started getting better and my eczema has become mild. Meaning, I’ll only get a rash when I eat something I’m allergic to or come in contact with an environmental factor that upsets my skin.

Just a tip. Keep her nails cut short! If shes itchy, she’ll find ways to itch herself other than her hands. Like rubbing whatever body part against carpet or something. When she is sleeping, put gloves or mittens on her. Thin cotton ones. So if she does itch at night, her skin won’t inflame. The medicine your doctor gave you is a steroid? Be careful for how much you use and how often because those cause wrinkles! I had horrible eczema and I would get that slapped on me. Now my hands look like they belong to a 50 year old lady! Cetaphil is a great line for lotions. So is Spectro. They have an eczema for kids kind of cream. I don’t think it has any steroids but it will keep her skin hydrated. Make sure she drinks LOTS of water. As much as she can. So her skin is hydrated. Don’t use scented shampoo or body soaps. I use to use dove for kids. There are more brands now for kids. Don’t use that johnson stuff, because that use to inflame my skin. And use unscented lotion also! You’ll notice a difference.

My parents don’t have any allergies either. Neither do any of my uncles or aunts. But my grandpa has mild eczema so thats where we got it from. Things like these usually skip a generation.

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Question by Lori: My 19mth old has tested positive for food allergies, (so far wheat, soy, corn, peanuts, milk, and egg whites).
He doesn’t see a specialist for another week. I need to know how to find foods he can eat. PLEASE HELP!

Best answer:

Answer by Hunny Bunz
For starters go completely organic. Those types of stores have a lot of foods that are free of dyes and other additives that sensitive kids shouldn’t have. I would take a list and go to the store. Read labels and try to keep things simple, not a lot of processed foods with hidden ingredients. This is for the time being. Next visit, the nutritionist after you get a complete list of the allergies so they can teach you about which nutrients to get from where, and the safest foods without a lot of additives. Good luck! Poor little guy!

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Question by faith: Why is it that my son tested allergic to wheat, but can eat chicken coated in bleached, all purpose flour?
My son has several food allergies which were confirmed through blood testing. The results showed he was extremely allergic to wheat, which he is when it comes to eating certain things such as crackers, bread etc… He can eat chicken nuggets, chicken strips made with bleached all purpose flour and our doctor says to keep having him eat them since he hasn’t had any reaction. Is there any explanation for this?

Best answer:

Answer by lnt_pita
do not believe your doctor—if he has tested positive to a wheat allergy he is having reactions to all wheat products
does he have an allergy or does he have celiac disease, because with the second even with no systoms he is setting off auto-immune reactions in his body and this is bad, this could effect his learning, his growth, everything.
I would find a doctor that understands allergies and also go see a GI doc to either rule out celiac disease or to confirm this, then get one good books about it.

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Question by Asia: What foods are typically tested for allergies?
I had been having hives for a few months before going to the doctor to get my blood allergy tested. My results came back positive for all tests, as in I’m allergic to everything they tested for. (I find this highly unlikely, however.)
But I was wondering what foods do they typically test for allergies. I know peanuts, egg whites, cow milk, and malt.

Best answer:

Answer by pelican
They might also test for strawberries, shell fish, wheat gluten.

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Question by rona: Is it possible to still have celiac disease if you have tested negative for a gluten allergy?
A month ago I had a RAST blood test done for the following allergens: wheat and gluten. My results came back as slightly intolerant to wheat and negative for gluten. What I’m wondering is if this mean I’m in the clear or would I need a different test to make sure? I’d ask the allergy clinic about it but it’s a small office and the doctor is always really busy. —- Also, I read somewhere that if someone is intolerant to something, they can eventually re-introduce it back into their system after a substantial amount of time.. is this true and if it is, about how long should it be? —- Thanks
If I should be tested in a different manner who should I make an appointment with? An allergy clinic? or would I need to see a certain specialist for that?

Best answer:

Answer by cyanne2ak
Yes, because celiac’s is NOT a gluten ALLERGY at all. It’s a Gluten Intolerance, and the two are different things. They have similar symptoms, but are infact very different. I am gluten intolerant, but do not have celiac’s disease….nor do I have a wheat allergy.

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