I took Clark to see an allergist today where they administered a scratch test or skin test. They basically take a high tech toothpick to poke a little hole in the skin on his back and put a bit of serum containing allergens on the hole to see if it reacts. They did a multi-panel which included: apple, orange, soy, milk, wheat, egg, corn, and peanut. By default, they also do a histamine and saline as a control. I also requested peas and beans which were both on my suspect list. He didn't take well to the multi-panel--8 pokes at once--so the Dr. kindly brought him a duck to distract him.
This is 5, 10, and 15 minutes after the test was given:
At the 15 minute mark I was beginning to panic since the welts were spreading around to his stomach and literally covering his back. The left side of his back looked like 1 giant welt, covered with little ones. It was slightly disturbing for me, to say the least. The nurse wasn't able to determine if he reacted to soy or not since all the reactions were blending together. She wanted to repeat the test but I requested the antihistamine+steroid therapy instead to start reversing the breakout. The doc didn't anticipate the intensity of Clark's reaction so he kept us for 90 minutes to keep an eye on him and gave him a little more medicine. He also sent me home with a mild steroid to give for 2 more days. I think we both left that appointment a little shaken up.
- Clark actually DOES have food allergies so I feel vindicated for being so paranoid about food! ha ha
- He can still eat corn. This is HUGE since corn is in everything.
- He can also eat strawberries. those are always good.
- He can have citrus! I haven't tried this yet, but will...with caution. There are such things as false negatives (and positives for that matter).
- I don't have to wonder about egg or peanuts anymore.
There is a chance Clark will outgrow some or all of his food allergies by the age of 4 or 5 but for now he's on a special diet. As I think about dealing with food allergies I always think of something Elder Nelson said in General Conference in April: "Each [child] is born with challenges to overcome and faith to be developed."
6 comments:
I think Dad's should be the ones to take kiddos to dr. appts!!! Hopefully he outgrows these allergies, and in the meantime, good luck!!!!
That's rough! Half of my nieces and nephews have tons of food allergies (some of them to peanuts, one to food dyes and cinnamon, among other things) so I feel pretty much doomed to having kids with allergies as well (and will likely be crazy paranoid about it). I really like coconut milk as a milk substitute...especially for french toast and ice cream!
That pic IS disturbing! Poor little guy. I'm going to bed but I'm emailing you tomorrow. So happy you have come back into my life-ha!
Looks like baby and mommy were both very brave. I'm sure it is nice to know exactly what bothers the little man so it can be avoided.
Oh boy! Good luck with the allergies. It is possible, I promise. Megan is allergic to peanuts, strawberries, and there are many others on my suspect list. We will hopefully take her in for a test in the next few months. Not fun, huh? If little Clark can do it so can she! You guys are so brave!
Wow, what a bummer! New adventures await your family. I do hope he grows out of them.....how can you live without PASTA?!
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