New dx. of environmental allergies-????'s

[karne]

My 7 y/o ds had skin testing done at the allergist today. We were actually in for something else for a first visit, and the Dr. looked at him and said he looked like an allergic kid, and we should test. So, he had two panels done and came up positive for a bunch of stuff (environmental)-actually 11 out of 16 sites, including the control. No dogs/cats or mold, but everything else.

So, I was surprised, but it made sense too. He has excema and asthma. My question is, what don't I know? Is this a lot of allergens, or pretty common? Should I ask for more testing, ie how do you know where to stop with environmental allergies? Is there a link between food and environmental allergies-does one make you more likely to have the other?

And treatment? We've been advised to start Zyrtec and essentially eliminate as much as we can that's within our control.

My head is kind of spinning because this is new, and not what we were there for. Does anyone have anything to share that might help me understand more?

thanks!

[sbgrace]

I don't think further testing would help because if you've got environmentals you're going to do what you can to mitigate that--the specifics of what pollen for example doesn't matter (outside of seasons I suppose but symptoms will tell you what seasons are worse generally). My child with environmental allergies and asthma also has food allergies but they certainly don't have to go together. Environmental allergies are more common than food allergies in the general public especially with age.
His asthma may have an allergy component/trigger (my son's does).
If you suspect food allergies might be causing the eczema or other issues testing might be helpful. But exploring environmentals further I just don't think is worth the expense.
What we do:
1. shower after being outside and always before bed (don't want to bring the allergens to bed with the person). This is a pain to do but I've learned that not doing it makes him pay.
2. consider a hepa air filter on the main air/heating unit in the house changed frequently. Consider a unit in the child's sleeping space as well and consider a filter for any vents in said room if dust is an allergen (I assume it is for your child).
3. I'm experimenting with alergol nasal block. We were very consistent with nasal washes (neti) and it didn't help my son but it does help some people.
4. we do have to use an antihistamine in his worse pollen seasons (zyrtec and now we're trying a different one)
5. I'm trying to reduce histamine via supplements (vitamin C, b12) but I'm a little unclear on it all.
6. wash all bedding on hot and dry on hot at least once every two weeks (once a week might be better) to kill dist mites. Put pillows in dust mite proof casings, same for mattress. If his room doesn't have carpet all the better. If it does you might look into a steamer. I'm going to start steaming our carpeted areas to kill dust mites.

[karne]

Thank you for the reply! Is there an air filter that's best for bedrooms? I don't know anything about them. Are you switching from zyrtec because you've had a bad experience with it, or just looking to change? Again, this is new to us.

The doctor pointed out the blue circles under ds's eyes as an "allergy indication", but I hadn't heard of this before. I hate to think that he's been uncomfortable and I haven't been on top of it.

[kjbrown92]

What were you expecting? Are you leaning toward food for some reason?
Eczema can be from environmental allergies, food allergies, or food intolerances, so it could be from what you've tested, but it also could be from food (top offenders: dairy, gluten, soy, corn, eggs). Allergic shiners (what appears to be bruising under the eyes) is from either (food or environmental). You might want to start a food journal to see if you can identify triggers that way, if you think there are additional triggers.

[karne]

Thanks--we were just advised to start a food diary for this very reason, so I'm going to follow up on it.