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!
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!
ReplyDeleteWhere 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.
If you are happy and you know it - Our child has eczema triggered by eggs (big time) , cow's milk, and some wheat, especially store bought bread. Although if we make our own bread he doesn't really react. We also found the Arnold brand of bread in the store doesn't trigger his eczema.
ReplyDeleteMy wife nurses and drinks Goat's milk and goat's milk yogurt, which doesn't trigger the eczema.
Keeping him away from eczema triggers is very helpful, everyone is different, his mother was also allergic to eggs when young but then grew out of it.
To handle the eczema we found out about Salcura Dermaspray (gentle) for babies from a friend.
It worked like a miracle, about 10 times better than everything else we tried, and fast fast fast!
It stopped the itch almost immediately, and the inflamed skin healed very fast, we could see it healing him the very first day we applied it. It's not sticky, not greasy, easy to apply and absorbs very fast.
Review the case study, ingredients etc. before buying any eczema, psoriasis or skin care item, there's lots of snake oil salesmen out there. Also, it's a good idea to talk with your doctor, dermatologist, etc. as well