coconut allergy?

[Therese's Mommy]

Ok, I was really hoping this was not going to be on our list of bad foods, but I think we had a failure this morning. I am so sad, I was in the process of making her some coconut ice cream and dreaming of all the different high fat things she would be able to enjoy

I first rubbed some coconut milk on her arm. Kept looking at it, it looked fine. Then I made up the stuff for the ice cream. She tried it and loved it. Kept asking for more. I gave her some more. Both times I spooned it in her mouth. I didn't see any adverse affects. Dh took her up for a diaper change about 45 minutes later and when he brought her down she was pink where I rubbed the stuff on her arm with little hives. She also is red and splotchy to the left of her mouth and a little above and to the left of her mouth with a couple of little hives. She is also cranky, but that could be explained by her having a busy day without a nap yesterday.

BTW, she is also allergic to bananas and avocados, are they related to coconut?

So, we are talking definite fail here, right? I am so so sad.

Beth

[Therese's Mommy]

Doing a quick search and reading that coconut allergies are "exceedingly rare". What gives? Anyone here have or have a dc with coconut allergy??

[Chinese Pistache]

My dd reacted to coconut, but very recently she seems to have outgrown it. I'm still cautious about it thought and watch her every time she has some. She's allergic to seeds (sesame, flax, sunflower) and I'd read that coconut is sometimes related to that. I question the "exceedingly rare" thing, though. It may not be common, but I've seen quite a few people on this board who are dealing with it.

ETA: I just remembered something. Just after dd was dxd with allergies, and I was an atopic mess (though didn't know it), I made some coconut yogurt and ate it and made my mouth feel really itchy. I had tried giving some to dd, but after the first bite she absolutely refused it. I think we were both reacting and didn't know it. I don't get those reactions any more and neither does dd, thankfully.

[Therese's Mommy]

DD is fine with the seeds we have tried which are hemp, sunflower, and flax. We haven't tried sesame, but I suspect it may be a problem. It is on my list of things to have tested when we go back to the allergist this month.

Beth

[CuckooMamma]

Both my daughters are allergic/sensitive to coconut. Both are also allergic to banana but not avocado and are allergic to seeds. Not sure if any of that is related. I do know that in some cases they're allergic to families of things and in others they aren't.

Just letting you know that there are others who are allergic to coconut, unfortunately.

[WC_hapamama]

My oldest son is allergic to coconut, he has been for almost 9 years now. He's not allergic to banana or avocado, and his only seed allergy is sesame.

[MsVyky]

Does your little one by any chance have reaction to latex?

I have a severe latex allergy, an am also allergic to coconut and stone fruits (as well as a lot of tropical fruits, tomato and I have contact allergies to raw potato)

There's proteins in a lot of foods that naturally mimic those in latex which causes reactions.

[Therese's Mommy]

Originally Posted by MsVyky

Does your little one by any chance have reaction to latex?

I have a severe latex allergy, an am also allergic to coconut and stone fruits (as well as a lot of tropical fruits, tomato and I have contact allergies to raw potato)

There's proteins in a lot of foods that naturally mimic those in latex which causes reactions.

I don't know if she has a latex allergy, we just assume she does given the banana and avocado allergies.

Her known allergies right now are: dairy, wheat, egg, peanut, soy, banana, avocado, (coconut). We suspect corn and some/all nightshades. I haven't tried strawberries, but she is fine with blueberries. Eats stone fruits fine and apples. I haven't tried cherries either. I used to give her mangoes, but haven't recently. It is possible she reacted to them and I just missed it since she was a mess back then. Haven't tried kiwi either and I think I was told to not try it.

[pamama]

My older dd is 5 and she reacted to coconut as a toddler. We never had her allergy tested for it, though, since she didn't seem to have any other food reactions. Everytime she ate coconut she would scream and vomit for several hours afterwards. We haven't actually tested it to see if she's outgrown it yet, though, because she absolutely refuses to go anywhere near coconut. She grimaces and gags if you even say the word. However, she has never had any problems with coconut oil, just the actually fruit (nut?) itself.

[Therese's Mommy]

Originally Posted by Chinese Pistache

I had tried giving some to dd, but after the first bite she absolutely refused it.

My dd is like this with alot of things she is allergic to. I always take note when she refuses something after first trying it. But, that is what was weird with this. She kept asking for it. She loved it! That is what is making this even harder.

[Chinese Pistache]

Originally Posted by Therese's Mommy

My dd is like this with alot of things she is allergic to. I always take note when she refuses something after first trying it. But, that is what was weird with this. She kept asking for it. She loved it! That is what is making this even harder.

My dd hasn't been that way with all of her allergens. I think cconut was the only one that caused an oral reaction. That said, could she be sensitive to something in the coconut milk itself, like guar gum or carageenan?

[FireWithin]

My DS2 is allergic to coconut. I'm determined to get it back. The majority of his allergens are related to sulfur, sals and amines. I believe that our allergens can be reduced. We've gotten back eggs, lentils and black beans. I am wondering if tomato products are getting better. I am doing things to improve our sulfur sensitivity and that will help with sals.

[Therese's Mommy]

Originally Posted by Chinese Pistache

My dd hasn't been that way with all of her allergens. I think cconut was the only one that caused an oral reaction. That said, could she be sensitive to something in the coconut milk itself, like guar gum or carageenan?

I guess that is possible. This brand I used was organic, but had guar gum in it. That is a legume, right? I am not sure if she has had it before. Perhaps I can find one without it? Does anyone know of a brand that is strictly coconut with no additives?

[Junegoddess]

People seem to think coconut allergy is rare, but it sooooo isn't. I've been reacting to coconut for a year and a half now, and blogged about it way back when, and that is the single biggest comment-generator on my silly little blog.

I discovered my reaction by having my lips go numb after licking a spoon with coconut milk on it. I really did go overboard (joyfully, gleefully) with coconut milk after I discovered my other allergies. It just filled in so many delicious gaps. I miss it horribly.

Since figuring out a few more allergens and working on healing my gut, and just plain allowing some TIME to pass to heal my gut, I'm left wondering if I'm still allergic/intolerant. It doesn't make my lips numb anymore... but I always think I maybe feel a little 'off' after trying some. SO vague.

Oh, the main reason I wanted to respond is to say that in my case coconut oil doesn't seem to pose any problems at all. I avoided it for about 6 months initially, but started using it in lotion and cooking again, with no noticeable effects.

Hives are always worrisome, though.

If your daughter can have cashews, I've heard great things about cashew ice cream. Maybe your daughter would like that? Haven't tried it myself.

[Chinese Pistache]

Originally Posted by Mammo2Sammo

My DS2 is allergic to coconut. I'm determined to get it back. The majority of his allergens are related to sulfur, sals and amines. I believe that our allergens can be reduced. We've gotten back eggs, lentils and black beans. I am wondering if tomato products are getting better. I am doing things to improve our sulfur sensitivity and that will help with sals.

Do you mind sharing what you're doing? I think this is one of our biggest issues, too.

[capsgirl08]

I react similarly to coconut. Get bumps around my mouth.

I also developed a latex allergy --- touched a latex measuring tape and got bumps all over my arm. I've always gotten an itchy and tight throat after eating avocado, mango, and DS has problems with banana, though cooked plantain seems to be ok.

I love the way coconut tastes, too. It's tough when you're dairy/soy free.