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What is my child allergic to???

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Posted 1/26/2006 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
My daughter who is now 4 1/2 has had episodes of severe hives several times over the last 3 years.

The first time, I assumed it was orange food dyes, because she drank some orange pop and the hives started within an hour.  A couple of days later she was eating jelly beans and it happened again.

Now, 3 years later we have had several series of allergy testing, food diaries and no answer to what she is allergic to.  Everyhting tests negative.

Her last reaction in early December was so bad that the hives lasted for almost 2 days amassing until she was swollen around her torso, ankles, wrists and face.  Benedryl did nothing for her.  She couldn't walk because of the hives on the bottom of her feet.  As we sat in the doctors office she started complaining that her tongue felt itchy too.  'The doctor prescribed something to treat the reaction and told us to carry an epipen everywhere, without even knowing what to keep her away from!?

I thought we had finally determined that it was a fresh fruit allergy to bananas, melons and cucumbers, as they seemed the culprits in our food diaries (and are all related in my research on OAS).  Today I took the fresh fruit culprits with me to test her, and all tests showed now reaction.

Any ideas out there? 

I wish I knew what to keep my baby away from.

Posted 1/26/2006 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there, welcome to Healingwell. Your poor poor baby! I hate to see children go thru things like this, it breaks my heart. Have you considered that her allergies could be from an outside source instead of thru foods? Have you changed soaps, shampoos or laundry detergent? Also if it is foods, have you tried organic? Foods especially fruits and veggies have pesticides on them that are bad for your immune system. Have you had her tested for gluton allergies?
I'm sorry if I am asking so many questions, it's just that sometimes even the most obvious things we tend to overlook when it comes to allergy attacks.
Posted 1/26/2006 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
I am very brand loyal with most of my hygiene and household products, because I have very sensitive skin and my oldest daughter also has excema.  Nothing new has beeen introduced around the times of these atacks. 

She has been tested for the most common allergens such as: peanuts, tree nut, eggs, shellfish, fish and so on.

We are back to keeping a highly accurate and intense food diary, but also including anything else such as coughs/colds, illness, medications, and changes in our household like shampoos etc.

We try to keep her away from most artificial additives (I have an aspartame sensitivity) and go organic when it is not price prohibitive.

My doctor did suggest that she could only be having reactions when she is immune compromised with a cold or something and that is why the tests are negative.

I am truly baffled!!  

Posted 1/27/2006 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
I also have a child that breaks out with mystery hives from time to time. We are assuming it's fish. Not sure because he didn't actually eat it the last time, it simply sat on his plate but I'm assuming if the allergy were severe enough it would perhaps only have had to touch another food he did consume. This poor kid also has hives if he runs a temp, gets too hot, etc. Eczema, and asthma as well. He's my itchy wheezy little monster. We haven't had him tested yet. It sounds so tramatic and he's already terrified of doctors, (he's 6). For now he's allowed no fish or strawberries and that has worked okay so far.
How bad is the allergy testing?
Posted 1/28/2006 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
I had my little girl tested awhile back she was a young 3 at the time. It only lasted about 15 minutes. She cried and we had to hold her hands so she wouldn't scratch at it. But then she didn't cry the whole time just off and on. Then the doctor came in, read it and put some medicine on it and she was fine. We told her ahead of time that it would be uncomfortable and itchy and that she could cry and that for being such a brave girl we would take her to toys r us afterwards and she could  pick out something. We explained the process several times before we went and the doctor did before the test. It was worth the testing because we found out she had 6 allergies, all her meds were changed and her asthma has been so much better! We felt it was worth the short amount of discomfort because her asthma was out of control and she had to go on oral steroids and a lot of other meds that were making her hyper and cranky and she never slept through the night.    

Posted 1/29/2006 5:35 PM (GMT 0)

The testing is not so terrible.  She has had a few rounds of tests and does start to fuss when she realizes that it is a testing appointment.  I have to hold her in a bit of a wrestling hold and she does cry and complains about the itchiness but it soon passes with a treat for being brave. 

The hardest part for me is that each reaction has been progressively worse to the point she now carries an epipen, but still don't have any concrete answers as to what she is allergic.  We were first told by the dosctor that although hives were uncomfortable, they were a minor reaction in the scale of lifethreatening reactions.  Now, just a year later she carries an epipen because the hives and associated swelling are so bad that her airways could be compromised.

Has anyone heard of allergic reactions that only occur when you have a cough or cold?

Posted 2/10/2006 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

Can I just tell you a bit about myself, as I am not sure if there is a link to what your daughter has. I have Chronic Urticaria....been going on for about 8 years now. I wont bore you with all the details (you could read my previous statements under allergies I think it is). Anyway, I finally had a drug and diet test last year, (this is just a bit as to why I get Urticaria as it cant be pinned to any one thing).....and it turns out that I am allergic to food colourings/preservatives. E104, E127 and E211. The first two are acutally colourings, quinolin yellow and cherry red pink. Whilst I try and elimate these from my diet, my Urti doesnt seem to be that bad, as I too break out in hives on my hands, feet, legs, knees, and if I also get pressure urti, so my feet will swell if my feet are hot and I have been walking alot, or pressure builds wear I wear a belt, bra staps etc...You may want to point this out to your doctor, or ask to see a Skin Specialist. If your daughter has swelling due to her allergic reactions, it may be worth a shot to keep any eye on colourings in sweets etc (Icant eat certain jelly babies either).

I hope this is enough info for you....keep me posted, and I hope I can come back to you with more info!
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