Whine... Nuts won't be an option for us.

[Katherine]

Ds had another allergic reaction this week that landed us in the ER overnight. I think it's pretty safe to say now that he is DEFINITELY allergic to tree nuts (pecans and cashews are the ones he's reacted too, and he just had a tiny little bit) :wow

I am still getting used to vegan/raw food concept, and nut products are used heavily in all of the recipes and books I am referring to. :/

I was really hoping to learn how to make a cashew pizza crust, but there's no point if ds can't have it. Also I see that some of the new stuff I bought this week as a special treat (like Rice Dream ice cream bars) have nut warnings on the back b/c they were processed in a plant that also processes nuts.

*sigh* I know lots of people deal with this, and it's not the end of the world, but I'm still a bit discouraged that it's clearly going to be a reality for this.

Now my question is whether I should take him to the allergist and put him through the skin tests to see if there's anything else... I've heard that is not fun to do with a child.... but I wonder if it would be worth it just to know... maybe it's ONLY tree nuts... maybe it's more stuff than we realize. :think ????

[flowermama]

oh, that would be difficult, and scary, too! I'm so sorry. :( :hug

I'm not familiar with getting those tests done, but I can definitely see how it would be worth it to know... and I can also see why you'd be hesitant to get it done, so I'm afraid I'm no help. I think there are other mamas on the board who have had it done, though, and hopefully they will see your question.

:heart

[bex]

Oh I'm so sorry! My sister had lots of allergies as a kid but not food allergies. Her allergies to nuts (all kinds) started in her early 20's. Not to scare you but...her allergic reactions got progressively worse. So much so that sometimes she can walk into a place that's frying with peanut oil and start shock symptoms. I know the testing is no fun at all but I think it would be worth knowing. :hug

[ArmsOfLove]

you might consider checking out NEAT or NAET for testing and treatment.

and :hug how scary

[Quietspirit]

My son has life threatening food allergies to tree nuts, peanuts, milk and eggs. I would HIGHLY reccomend taking him to a pediatric allergist for testing. Often a child who is allergic to treenuts is (or will develop) allergy to peanuts due to cross contamination issues. It is usually recommended that peanuts be avoided when someone has a tree nut allergy.

Also, and this is VERY important...do you have an Epi Pen Jr to carry with you at all times? If not, call your pediatrician NOW to get one.

I have lots of food allergy resources if you need help. It is overwhelming but can be done. My son is basically vegan with no nut products.

[Katherine]

We do have an epi-pen. They gave us one at our first ER visit.

We confirmed at the allergist this week that he is allergic to all types of nuts including peanuts. (at least everything they tested him for.) He had welps developing before the nurse who started the test even left the room. :eek

I asked about dairy allergies, b/c his skin improved tremendously when we started eliminating various things from our diet, but our allergist immediately brushed that off and said NO--there's no relation. :/ Whatever--this is the same guy who insisted that his initial reaction was viral, even though we strongly suspected it was food related. That's why I'm his Mom instead of him doctor.

I would LOVE some resources. I've surfed the web and found some things.... but I could use all the info I could get. My ds is probably going to be the same as yours--vegan without nuts.

[Jemma2]

At least you know now. And just because he's not showing up as allergic to dairy doesn't mean there's not a relation to his skin problems. If it helps to eliminate it or at least cut back on it, then go for it.

Here are some sites to visit that I've gone to many times:

http://www.peanutallergy.com
http://www.angelfire.com/blues/jackspage/ This is actually my son's page that I've created for him, with lots of links.

Also, I don't know if it's applicable in your area anymore, but the t.v. show Arthur today is having one of their characters (Binky?) develop a tree nut allergy. You could check you local pbs listings to see when it's on in your area.

[Katherine]

oh, cool! I wish we had watched it.. ds likes that show.

Thanks for the links. :)

Actually, it wasn't that he didn't test as allergic to dairy.. the doc only tested him for nut allergies specifically. I guess he won't test for a particular substance unless there's been a specific, dramatic reaction to it. I get the impression that he doesn't much believe in food sensitivities and their more subtle effects.

[Quietspirit]

Okay...here are some of my favorite resources ;)

www.foodallergy.org (http://www.foodallergy.org) (excellant!!!!!)

www.medicalert.org (http://www.medicalert.org) (crucial!)

www.missrobens.com (http://www.missroben.com) (very cool food products that taste good and are allergen free

I have a site somewhere around here where an engraver makes shoe tags (similar to medic alert bracelets). They attach to the child's shoe using the shoe laces and are terrific. I'll see if I can find the link. Here it is: http://www.lettersnwood.homestead.com/cwdflink.html (http://www.lettersnwood.homestead.com/cwdflink.html) My son has these and they are wonderful. You can get custom worded ones instead of the diabetic ones of course. ;) My son's say "Anaphylactic to milk, egg, peanuts, nuts; also asthmatic" The man who makes them is really helpful and they are very cost effective. I use them as well as my son wears a Medic Alert bracelet at all times (even when sleeping).

Ok...here is my take on your allergist. He needs to test for the Big 6...milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat. This is really standard care for allergen testing and I am VERY suprised he didn't do it. :banghead If your child is showing sensitivity to dairy, you could do a trial of cutting it out completely and seeing if his skin improves.

:hug :hug

If you need more resources, I have lots of them. I've got Word documents that we print out to give to our child's caregivers, posters we post in the church Sunday school rooms and his Kinder class, sample menus I give to babysitters, a babysitter info page (including a script for 911 and Epi Pen instructions), a document that we have saved and typed up for in case something were ever to happen to dh and I so that someone could care properly for our son (morbid :cry .... but if it were needed, it's there), and stickers that we put on A's back if we go somewhere he could get lost (the zoo, the Children's museum, etc) (the last thing I want is for someone to say "let's have an ice cream, candy, etc while we wait for Mommy :eek).

Didn't want to overwhelm you! ;)

[Katherine]

Those are all wonderful ideas. THank you so much!

We have removed dairy from ds's diet and his skin improved... if he has some incidentally, he doesn't break out per se, but his eczema seems to flare up. I told the doctor this and he emphatically shook his head and said "no"--insisting that milk sensitivity couldn't possibly do that. This is the same doc who--after the first time ds had to go to the ER and we strongly suspected a food allergy--refused to test him b/c "it's almost always viral with kids." :/

I've thought about talking with my insurance and pediatrician to see if I can get a referral to see someone different.

[Quietspirit]

Based on that, I would definately get that referral. Your allergist is not taking this seriously and he need to do so. I think you're right in not trusting his opinions. :td :( Is he a pediatric allergist?

Some allergists don't believe in food sensitivities (especially those involving eczema). But where I'm really concerned is that your allergist doesn't seem to take any of your child's allergies and symptoms seriously. :hug

[Wikolia]

this is just my opinion but I would have him tested with a pediatric panel. It's not as intensive as an adult panel but covers a lot of things. our dd was tested at age 5 and while uncomfortable, it wasn't the worst thing in the world. We also gave her skittles as a bribe :O

I'm not that familiar with RAST vs. skin testing, but is that is another option? Don't know much about it, other than it is a one-time blood test.

however, our dr. is also a pediatric allergist and asthma specialist and is more than willing to test whatever and whenever.