I know it isn't technically our docs fault but I am feeling angry right now

[beingmommy]

My DS is 2 and was recently diagnosed with a severe sesame/peanut/tree nut allergies. The only one we've actually seen a reaction to is sesame (violent reaction after trying hummus). The others were discovered at the allergist (he has never actually eaten peanuts or tree nuts) from SPT.

I have been learning as much as I can about how food allergies come about because I cannot believe my DS has them. He was exclusively breastfed until 6 months and then refused solids himself until around 15 months so very extended BFing (and he still is mostly BFed). He is also unvaxed.

BUT I have learned that exposures to personal care products with oils can sensitize the system. Our doc had him start on Vit D last summer and it was suspended in sesame oil. AND then today I realized that a cream she had me use for sore nipples when he was a newborn (and told me was safe to leave on, not wipe off when he nursed) has sesame oil in it!! I feel furious right now. But I know it isn't technically her fault but why? WHY would she have me use that stuff!!??!! I feel like this is it. Like I have found what started this whole thing. And I am sick to my stomach. I want to find a new doc.

Am I being completely irrational?

[gsd1amommy]

Originally Posted by beingmommy

My DS is 2 and was recently diagnosed with a severe sesame/peanut/tree nut allergies. The only one we've actually seen a reaction to is sesame (violent reaction after trying hummus). The others were discovered at the allergist (he has never actually eaten peanuts or tree nuts) from SPT.

I have been learning as much as I can about how food allergies come about because I cannot believe my DS has them. He was exclusively breastfed until 6 months and then refused solids himself until around 15 months so very extended BFing (and he still is mostly BFed). He is also unvaxed.

BUT I have learned that exposures to personal care products with oils can sensitize the system. Our doc had him start on Vit D last summer and it was suspended in sesame oil. AND then today I realized that a cream she had me use for sore nipples when he was a newborn (and told me was safe to leave on, not wipe off when he nursed) has sesame oil in it!! I feel furious right now. But I know it isn't technically her fault but why? WHY would she have me use that stuff!!??!! I feel like this is it. Like I have found what started this whole thing. And I am sick to my stomach. I want to find a new doc.

Am I being completely irrational?

Honestly? Yes. A little over the top when you think about how often your son has been inadvertantly exposed to peanut/tree nut/sesame. Unless you have kept him in a bubble, safely inside your home, never exposed to the outside world, he has come into contact with all these things in public-grocery stores, playgroups, malls, friends, friends homes, etc.

It doesn't make you feel any better but, it's true.

[Chinese Pistache]

I'm sorry you're here. It's such a blow to find out that your child has allergies. The thing is, the sesame oil didn't "cause" the allergy. Granted, without being exposed to it, your lo wouldn't be sensitized. But for whatever reason, your child was already susceptible (genetics, damaged gut, poor gut bacteria, whatever). Other children probably used the same product and *didn't* become allergic.

I know you want to blame someone. When I learned about all the contributing factors for my kids' allergies, I was angry at the doc who gave me abx for gbs, at my parents for providing such poor nutrition for my whole life, for all the abx and tylenol I took while growing up (doctors and parents for that one) and so on. I could blame big pharma and the big corps that pollute our air and water if I wanted to. The bottom line is, you have to move forward and take comfort in the fact that some children outgrow these allergies through avoidance and gut healing and educate yourself the best you can about allergies and your child's health.

But it's okay to vent and be mad and sad.

[WC_hapamama]

I can understand your anger, I've been there before. I believe my oldest son was sensitized to coconut, almond and macadamia through personal care products. Everyone kept telling me that "natural" products were "better".

For my kids, the tendency towards allergies, eczema and asthma is hereditary... we've been able to trace it back 4 generations on both sides of our families, the farthest generations back were all farmers in pre-chemical pesticide, pre-antibiotic and big pharma times. Go figure.

[beingmommy]

Thank you. I know I am over-reacting. It is just so frustrating and it makes me so sad. And I just feel like that cream was a big piece of this. I know that is probably irrational. It's just he was a newborn being exposed to it many times a day. And my doc said it was totally safe! She has just given us some wrong info a few times. And she has given me such a hard time for my DS being small when, HELLO he has food allergies and is the pickiest of picky eaters (probably because of the food allergies)! And no thanks to her for us figuring it out. I had to ASK for a allergist referral after she did not even recognize that his horrible reaction was a dangerous one (allergist said if he vomits and gets hives he needs an epi-pen injection).

I know. I just want someone to blame. It's just so unfair that HE has to live with this for the rest of his life. And maybe it didn't have to happen. If we had just had better info.

Edited to add: Okay, deep breaths. I know I have to let this go. I want to believe he can outgrow these allergies but honestly, I don't think there is much chance. He's got THREE of the least outgrown. Statistically it would be impossible for him to outgrow ALL THREE. Maybe one, if we are lucky.

[Chinese Pistache]

Honey, don't lose faith. He may outgrow all three! Forget the stats. They're just stats. Is he still bfing?

If your ped's given you other bad advice and you feel in your gut that he/she is not right for you, by all means, find another pediatrician. Follow your instincts. h

[beingmommy]

Originally Posted by Chinese Pistache

Honey, don't lose faith. He may outgrow all three! Forget the stats. They're just stats. Is he still bfing?

Aw, thanks! I want so much to believe. Somedays I feel in my bones that he will. Other days I feel hopeless about it. He is still BFing a ton (about every 1-2 hours during the day and 2-4 at night). And I am steering clear of all his allergens too so nothing will be in my breastmilk. He's still very picky about solids and does not eat much food. He's got some oral hypersensitivity so that makes it harder for him too.

What else can I do to increase his chances of outgrowing? I know avoidance is key. He's also been on probiotics since he was quite small (4 months I think). I am on them as well.

[WC_hapamama]

Originally Posted by Chinese Pistache

Honey, don't lose faith. He may outgrow all three! Forget the stats. They're just stats. Is he still bfing?

My oldest son has outgrown one life threatening allergy (eggs) and has outgrown a few other less severe ones.