DS just dx'd - have questions!

[coleybug]

My 1 yr old DS’s suspected milk allergy has just been confirmed. As well as a severe allergy to eggs. He is also “moderately” allergic to wheat and beef. And our dog. Unfortunately, the allergist rushed our appointment, and I didn’t get answers to all of my questions. I’m hoping the mamas here can help me. I’ve been reading through the many links in the resource page, but I still have a few questions.

First, does a wheat allergy mean we need to be gluten free? I am still b/f-ing, so would I need to be wheat and/or gluten free as well? Same for dairy, eggs and beef?

As for the dog, he shows no obvious signs of an allergy to the dog. No hives, no sneezing, wheezing or coughing. We had no idea he was even allergic to him until the text results came back. The allergist suggested Hepa filters on our furnace as well as a Hepa air cleaner in DS’s bedroom. She also suggested vacuuming everyday if possible with a Hepa filtered vacuum. DH wants to “get rid” of the dog. I am heartbroken at the thought. The dog is 10 ½ years old. I don’t even want to think about it. I feel that taking the steps the doctor suggested should be tried first. The only reaction the doctor said she thinks may be from the dog is DS’s very mild eczema. Has anyone been faced with this? What did you try? What was the outcome?
I am planning a shopping trip tomorrow morning to Trader Joes to stock the kitchen with foods for DS. There is so much information out there, I’m spinning! Thanks in advance for any advice you have for a “new” mama with an allergy affected child!

[deditus]

Originally Posted by coleybug

My 1 yr old DS’s suspected milk allergy has just been confirmed. As well as a severe allergy to eggs. He is also “moderately” allergic to wheat and beef. And our dog. Unfortunately, the allergist rushed our appointment, and I didn’t get answers to all of my questions. I’m hoping the mamas here can help me. I’ve been reading through the many links in the resource page, but I still have a few questions.

First, does a wheat allergy mean we need to be gluten free? I am still b/f-ing, so would I need to be wheat and/or gluten free as well? Same for dairy, eggs and beef?

As for the dog, he shows no obvious signs of an allergy to the dog. No hives, no sneezing, wheezing or coughing. We had no idea he was even allergic to him until the text results came back. The allergist suggested Hepa filters on our furnace as well as a Hepa air cleaner in DS’s bedroom. She also suggested vacuuming everyday if possible with a Hepa filtered vacuum. DH wants to “get rid” of the dog. I am heartbroken at the thought. The dog is 10 ½ years old. I don’t even want to think about it. I feel that taking the steps the doctor suggested should be tried first. The only reaction the doctor said she thinks may be from the dog is DS’s very mild eczema. Has anyone been faced with this? What did you try? What was the outcome?
I am planning a shopping trip tomorrow morning to Trader Joes to stock the kitchen with foods for DS. There is so much information out there, I’m spinning! Thanks in advance for any advice you have for a “new” mama with an allergy affected child!

I don't have any experience with "true" allergies, we have intolerances, but I just wanted to answer what I could.
A wheat allergy does not mean you have to be gluten free. Yes, you need to be free of the allergens also since you are breastfeeding.
The dog allergy - that's sad. I don't know what I would do. I think I would remove all the food allergies first and then make a decision.
Trader Joe's honestly sucks for wheat free stuff. Lots and lots of their products are made on shared equipment/same facility, so read the labels well.

[kjbrown92]

Originally Posted by coleybug

My 1 yr old DS’s suspected milk allergy has just been confirmed. As well as a severe allergy to eggs. He is also “moderately” allergic to wheat and beef. And our dog. Unfortunately, the allergist rushed our appointment, and I didn’t get answers to all of my questions. I’m hoping the mamas here can help me. I’ve been reading through the many links in the resource page, but I still have a few questions.

First, does a wheat allergy mean we need to be gluten free? I am still b/f-ing, so would I need to be wheat and/or gluten free as well? Same for dairy, eggs and beef?

As for the dog, he shows no obvious signs of an allergy to the dog. No hives, no sneezing, wheezing or coughing. We had no idea he was even allergic to him until the text results came back. The allergist suggested Hepa filters on our furnace as well as a Hepa air cleaner in DS’s bedroom. She also suggested vacuuming everyday if possible with a Hepa filtered vacuum. DH wants to “get rid” of the dog. I am heartbroken at the thought. The dog is 10 ½ years old. I don’t even want to think about it. I feel that taking the steps the doctor suggested should be tried first. The only reaction the doctor said she thinks may be from the dog is DS’s very mild eczema. Has anyone been faced with this? What did you try? What was the outcome?
I am planning a shopping trip tomorrow morning to Trader Joes to stock the kitchen with foods for DS. There is so much information out there, I’m spinning! Thanks in advance for any advice you have for a “new” mama with an allergy affected child!

My DH is allergic to dogs. For him, he got more colds, was sick more in general when we had dogs. He found out he had the allergy (allergy-induced asthma actually) and the dogs were already older at that point, so DH went on meds, and when the dog died we didn't get another until I found the American Hairless Terrier, which my DH doesn't react to. My DD1 is allergic to cats. She sneezes alot and gets itchy eyes. Because of my DH, and his being asthma, I asked the allergist what the odds were that hers would become asthma. He said, if you were to get a cat and expose her every day, that she'd be MORE likely to develop asthma. So that's just something to keep in mind.

There are egg replacers. We use 1 egg = 1 Tbs. ground flax + 3 Tbs. hot water (let sit for 10 minutes or microwave for 1 minute on high.

We use rice noodles. There are also buckwheat noodles in Asian markets (haven't found them anywhere else). We use coconut oil to fry in, instead of butter. My DD2 can't have beef, so we make meatsauce with ground turkey or pork instead. Whole Foods is another place to look. We get some things at Trader Joes, but ours are intolerances as well, not allergies. I get their rice noodles and their rice cakes. But look at the labeling carefully.

Also the good news is that kids are likely to grow out of allergies!! So you might not be doing it forever.

[ASusan]

Lots of newcomers here today!

Egg, wheat and peanut were our three food allergies (discovered at 9 mos via RAST blood test). We had long since removed dairy at that point. DS also showed up as allergic to cat. We didn't have a cat in the house, as my cat was already with my parents at that point. They still have the cat.

I would remove all the food allergens first (from your diet and his), implement all of the vacuuming-hepa-filtering suggestions, and see where you are at that point in terms of his reactions. Some of our eczema is food-triggered, so your DS eczema may clear without removing the dog from the house. (Of course, dog is never in the child's sleeping room or on the bed; dog stays off the furniture; vacuuming daily; child washes hands before eating to remove any dog hairs/dust before eating; child bathes in the evening to remove allergens before sleeping; clothing is washed each time it is worn to remove allergens, even if it appears clean...). If it were our family, DH would remove the dog immediately, no questions. However *I* would want to wait and see if reactions could be controlled otherwise before having to rehome the pet.

[coleybug]

Originally Posted by deditus

Trader Joe's honestly sucks for wheat free stuff. Lots and lots of their products are made on shared equipment/same facility, so read the labels well.

I didn't know that, I will be sure to check carefully. Thanks!

Originally Posted by kjbrown92

My DD1 is allergic to cats. She sneezes alot and gets itchy eyes. Because of my DH, and his being asthma, I asked the allergist what the odds were that hers would become asthma. He said, if you were to get a cat and expose her every day, that she'd be MORE likely to develop asthma. So that's just something to keep in mind.

There are egg replacers. We use 1 egg = 1 Tbs. ground flax + 3 Tbs. hot water (let sit for 10 minutes or microwave for 1 minute on high.

Whole Foods is another place to look. We get some things at Trader Joes, but ours are intolerances as well, not allergies. I get their rice noodles and their rice cakes. But look at the labeling carefully.

Also the good news is that kids are likely to grow out of allergies!! So you might not be doing it forever.

Your DD's reaction to cats is my reaction to cats. If I am exposed long enough, I wheeze and need my inhaler. I told DH if DS was reacting that way, then yes...the dog would have to be rehomed. I'm hoping to avoid that as the dog is almost 11 and a larger breed not know to live much past 13. I don't see him adapting to a new home well at all.
Also, I just bought the Enger-G egg replacer. Hopefully I can make that work for us! The allergist said that 90% of kids she sees outgrow these alleriges by age 4. I hope so! Thanks!

Originally Posted by ASusan

Lots of newcomers here today!

Egg, wheat and peanut were our three food allergies (discovered at 9 mos via RAST blood test). We had long since removed dairy at that point. DS also showed up as allergic to cat. We didn't have a cat in the house, as my cat was already with my parents at that point. They still have the cat.

I would remove all the food allergens first (from your diet and his), implement all of the vacuuming-hepa-filtering suggestions, and see where you are at that point in terms of his reactions. Some of our eczema is food-triggered, so your DS eczema may clear without removing the dog from the house. (Of course, dog is never in the child's sleeping room or on the bed; dog stays off the furniture; vacuuming daily; child washes hands before eating to remove any dog hairs/dust before eating; child bathes in the evening to remove allergens before sleeping; clothing is washed each time it is worn to remove allergens, even if it appears clean...). If it were our family, DH would remove the dog immediately, no questions. However *I* would want to wait and see if reactions could be controlled otherwise before having to rehome the pet.

This is exactly what I hope to do. The doctor wasn't even convinced that the ezcema was from the dog. I'm hoping it disappears when I remove the food allergens. The dog isn't allowed in the baby's room already. He sleeps downstairs. He's never been allowed on the furniture either. I will try my best to vacuum daily, and I pretty much bathe DS nightly now. He also never wears clothing twice. All very good ways to cut down the dander. This is so hard, as I'm sure you know. DH thinks all the Hepa stuff is a waste of time and money and it won't make a difference. I'm hoping I can convince him otherwise.

This is definitely going to be a challenge. We were confirmed with blood work followed by a skin test at the allergists. The dairy/wheat/egg/beef combo is a doozie! I'm scouring for recipes to work around this. I'll be around lots more I'm sure. Thanks for your input.

[kjbrown92]

I have recipes: www.kathysrecipebox.com. Also on the resources sticky, there's a recipe thread link. Other people on here have recipes on their blogs too.

[tanyalynn]

In my teens, I became allergic to our dog, but also to dust, some pollens, assorted stuff. It wasn't a really bad reaction, and since there were other, more problematic enviro allergies as well (getting rid of dust? for a minor reaction?) we kept the dog, and I've usually had dogs since. The plan you've mentioned, taking care of the food allergens first, and then deciding, seems reasonable.

I also wanted to see if I could find a link, a recent study I read talked about low folate levels correlating with IgE allergies. I'd really look at food sources of folate and consider a supp. Thorne has some with real folate (instead of folic acid)--that matters for some people, look for folinic acid and 5-mtf as forms of folate. Some people do fine with folic acid, it's something to read about and look at your family history and then decide (I'm fine with folic acid, but quite a few people here in the Allergies forum aren't, and it's not a coincidence). It would seem like bringing that level up would help support the allergies going away.

http://www.medpagetoday.com/AllergyI.../Allergy/14010

They mention methylation, and that does seem involved. A short discussion on that (yes, this is more than you can probably absorb now, of course, but something to think about after you take care of the immediate stuff):

http://www.detoxpuzzle.com/methyl.php

[luminesce]

Be careful when you look for wheat alternatives as this is probably one of the more cross-reactive allergens. Spelt, kamut, etc. are likely NOT okay. You don't have to avoid gluten but do watch for cross-reactivity between other grains. Grains are one of the more likely foods to have cross reactions between (sensitivities to others in the same family, etc.) Like others said, be very aware of the 'Processed on equipment that also processes <X>' - it doesn't take much to cross contaminate.

For us, eggs were probably the easiest thing to replace. If a recipe only calls for one egg, you can often just skip it or add a little something to compensate depending on the purpose of the egg (binder, leavening, etc.)

HEPA/VOC filters are amazing things. We use some from Amaircare and love them. http://www.amaircare.com/ We can tell a difference in air quality if they are off for a while.

As for the dog... any way it could go outside? If it were me, I'd probably find a way to lessen exposure because even if you don't see symptoms, the sensitivity is there.

[luminesce]

Originally Posted by coleybug

The dairy/wheat/egg/beef combo is a doozie! I'm scouring for recipes to work around this. I'll be around lots more I'm sure. Thanks for your input.

I know how you feel. We are currently gluten/egg/corn/soy/dairy/nightshade/cauliflower/garlic/onion/apple free. We're now trying to trial new things to get more foods in our diet. It has been a tough two months. One day I hope to post some of our recipes. Don't worry, you still have *a lot* to work with if he tolerate other foods okay!