Monday, July 7, 2008

Allergies

Felix had his first round of allergy tests today. I thought it would be more comprehensive, but they only tested about 10 allergens. They did one for histamine as a control, and I remember eggs (yolk and whites), soybeans, corn, wheat, peanuts, and milk. Felix is allergic to peanuts and eggs - both yolk and whites.
[edit (thanks to Paige for the question): Brent is allergic to many things, but mildly, because he had desensitizing shots as a kid. What still gets him is peanuts, green beans (one of the things we have identified for Felix), soybeans, raw tomatoes, grasses like alfalfa (no sprouts, can't lay in the grass or mow the lawn), and he is very very allergic to rabbits. He does still have a mild allergy to cats as well. The reason I'm adding this is because we already know that Felix gets it from both sides of the family (most of my family has allergies, but I only have a very few).

Also, just an FYI, the first pic was taken about 30 seconds after the prick tests and you can already see the red spots forming. The second pic was taken only 2 or 3 minutes later and already the welts were obvious. I believe the top left welt was the histamine control.]
I was kind of hoping they would test for more things, since we have stayed away from peanuts (Brent is allergic) and we don't eat plain eggs very often (doc said eggs cooked into other things was probably okay, but no straight eggs) and he breaks out in hives at least once a month.

The doctor did say they could do more testing at about 2 years, so we're planning on going back in about 7 months. In the meantime, he said to just pay attention to the foods he eats and keep track of what causes hives and they'll add them to the list when we go back in.

Not as conclusive as I had hoped, but it's a start.

6 comments:

Shauna said...

Poor little bug. A food journal is annoying, but would be a really good idea. I can't imagine waiting 7 months to find out what's going on. Seems like you can find out quicker than the doctors by keeping a journal.

Kristin said...

he may seem like a fragile kid with the allergies and asthma, and infections, and rashes but boy...this stuff is going to make him one tough guy. He reminds me of one of the prophets...I can't remember which one but he was very accident prone and sickly as a child. Or maybe it was two differnt ones. My point is all these trials are probably preparing him for greatness.

Daisy Paige said...

Is there anything else Brent is allergic to besides peanuts? What about you? Maybe his allergies are genetic and you can single them out without waiting another 7 months?

Poor little guy, but man, what a cute kid!

Daisy Paige said...

Is there anything else Brent is allergic to besides peanuts? What about you? Maybe his allergies are genetic and you can single them out without waiting another 7 months?

Poor little guy, but man, what a cute kid!

Dirtius Wifius said...

Greatness, eh? I'll go with that!

Thanks for the idea of the food journal, Shauna. I was just thinking we'd pay attention, but that's much smarter. I've been hesitant to do this in the past because I don't want to know just how bad my diet is. For the kidlet's sake, however, I think it's time to give in.

Tough. Yeah, he's getting tough. :)

jenica said...

poor baby! we have all of the same allergy problems in our family. it's so hard, but i give my kids one food at a time for a few days at a time just to test it out. i watch for diaper rashes, funny cries, poop consistancy, the whole bit. and if there's a reaction we put that food away for 6 months (at least).

good luck sweetie!!!