Food Allergies Treatment

Question by Nancy: Is Canadian wheat different than wheat grown in the States?
I lived in Florida but my mom brought home some buckwheat pancake mix from Canada. After eating them, I had a terrible reaction and had to go to the hospital. A few weeks later, I went to Canada on my honeymoon and had a wheat cracker and had a much more mild reaction, but still had to take Benadryl and sleep the whole day. Now, 6 years later, I have moved to Canada for my husbands job and am struggling with very, itchy skin, large patches of dryness that ends in bleeding on my hands. My face has raised itchy parts all over it and I feel so miserable. My face and ears are always very hot and I am finally going to the Doctor this week. I moved here from Florida, so it can be the extreme weather changes or I am wondering if it is a food allergy. Anyone relate??

Best answer:

Answer by Andy M
This does sound like some sort of a food allergy. I’m not an agriculture expert, but I eat a lot of food. The food in the grocery stores I shop in comes from all over the world. I doubt there is any difference in U.S. and Canadian wheat. You probably are allergic to a preservative or food dye that was in the food. For example, crackers that are colored with food dye make my nephew have a runny nose, while ones that aren’t cause no problems for him. He’s been like this from birth. Maybe Canada allows one or two different food preservatives or dyes in their food that the U.S. does not. Even with dr visits, it may take switching to a more pure diet – less processed foods and more basic plain fruits, veggies, meats, and potatos – without anything added by a company. Then add back one or two different processed wheat products at a time to see what happens. You could try crackers without any food dye, and then yellow cheese crackers that have dye added, rye bread, then wheat bread, etc – until you figure out which preservative or additive is causing the problem.

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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 ZingaMomma: Does whole wheat bread and pasta have more allergenic protein than white? If so, which proteins are higher?
My daughter has multiple food allergies. She started having reactions to wheat and tested slightly positive to that on RAST, as well. I noticed she seems fine when she eats white bread and usually can eat white pasta without a problem. Is this because white is stripped of protein or, I was wondering if there is more of one kind of protein in wheat than in white.

Best answer:

Answer by abbie
i dont know about protiens, but i am wheat/oats/gluten intolerant (celiac) and i have to stay away from white and wheat bread the same b/c all white bread is, is bleached wheat flour. there really is no difference where that is concerned. try kinikinik brand rice bread from your health food store. they have a good and tastey line (rare in teh gluten free world). its not bad if you toast it.

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Question by illinoismommy: Other than candy….what goes in an Easter basket?
I don’t do candy at my house….my son has severe allergies to wheat, egg, peanuts and tree nuts sop I avoid it at all costs. I am going to put a pudding cup, juice box and maybe a small bag of fruit snacks and that’s it….besides Easter isn’t about candy. BUT, I am doing a small fun bag for a few little ones in my family….I put some bubbles in there, some temp tatooes (kids are ages 1 to 3) but I was wondering if there was anything else I could put in there for fun? They are only the size of a lunch bag…so something small. Any ideas? Thanks!

Best answer:

Answer by Wildman
Hard boiled eggs, colored and decorated.

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Question by Inmate No. 6602224175: Why do you think allergies to Meat are so much rarer than allergies to foods like Wheat or Nuts?

Krister – that makes some sense, but then by that logic we could eat human flesh without health consequences, which is definitely not the case.

Best answer:

Answer by MasterPython
People are allergic to the proteins in a lot of foods. Most vertebrates have fairly similar proteins in their flesh so you are not eating anything that you don’t already have. Plants and shellfish are built very diferently so you are introducing completely foreign stuff into your body when you eat them.

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