family history of allergy

[RiverMamma]

OK, so my dad is very alergic to potatoes, & my grandma was like anaflactic shock type alergic to soy & safflower. So naturaly, I have been avoiding feeding these things to my 8 1/2mo DD. The only problem is that DH is a "meat & potato" kinda guy, & is really upset about me not wanting to give her potato. His exact words which he repeats anytime the subject is broached is "it's fuc**d up." He giver her potato when I'm not arround or not looking too. I have tried to explain to him that I would like to continue cooking potatoes for our family & so do not want to give her an alergy which would make that not possible. Fortunatly he couldn't give two hoots about soy, I just hope he learns to read labels. He tried to give her a chip w/ safflower oil the other day.

Anyways, I guess I have a few questions here. First of all, how do I explain it to him in such a manner that he "gets" it, & what is a safe age & way to introduce potential allergens? I think I need more general information on introducing potential allergen foods. Any input would be greatly apreciated.

[lil_miss_understood]

Well, there's good news and bad news.
The good news is that while your dd has a family history of allergies, there is no evidence (of which I'm aware) that allergy to a particular food or substance is inherited. Meaning, just because your dad is severely allergic to potatoes doesn't mean your dd will be.
The bad news is that she has a higher chance of being allergic to *something* and you will have to find out what that *something* is (if anything).
There is a thread somewhere around, which I'm sure another mama can point you to (and which I seriously need to read some day before the new LO comes), called "How not to have a food allergic babe" or something similar. I'm certain you will find a lot of the information you need there and I'm sure many of the other mamas will have much better advice for you.

[kjbrown92]

I agree with everything PP said. You just pass down a potential for food allergies/intolerances, not specific ones. So yes you should be vigilant since there is a history of anaphylactic reactions in the family, and you should introduce only one food at a time, 4-7 days apart, but it doesn't mean she has more of a chance of being allergic to one food than another. At least that's the opinion of the three different allergists we've seen.

[kjbrown92]

Also, so that he knows that there is a real threat, tell him where the Benadryl is, tell him how bad an anaphylactic reaction can be, and how long you have to get to the hospital, which might just scare him into being more cognizant of what he gives her and the "potential" that it has. It could be that she's allergic to nothing.

[RiverMamma]

I was under the impression that they don't necicarily have an alergy, but that by introducing potential allergens too early you can cause them to develope an alergy. Am I misinformed? Should I be keeping an eye out for things she might already be alergic to, or should I be concerned about giving her an alergy that she doesn't already have?