Paging Dr. Mom: Please help with possible food allergies/intolerance

[Geigerin]

Hi! This is my first visit to the allergies forum (didn't know you were here). I'm looking for some ideas regarding what to try next with our food-sensitive 3 1/2 month old.

The first 3 months were pure misery for both of us. Maddy screamed *a lot.* We were able to determine a few sensitivities throught trial and error. Some foods make her miserable (dairy, soy, peanuts). Others, we've eliminated at the rec of our DO (less sugar, no caffeine).

Maddy still has a yeasty diaper rash that won't quit. Probiotics don't help. We're both on them. I've even mixed her powdered probiotics with diaper cream and applied directly to the skin.

I know gluten could be the problem. Our DO told me to eliminate gluten when I was pregnant. I have numerous skin issues, and he's convinced that will solve it. I haven't done it yet because I haven't wanted the inconvenience. How hard is it to go gluten free? In your experience, will that clear up most issues?

Are there any other foods we might not have considered? Do children eventually outgrow this? I've never had a single allergy, and I eat everything with little consequence (well, I have to watch weight gain. Lol). This is all new to me.

We have a dog and two cats and live in one of the worst states for allergies. I know because my DH has severe allergies. Could any of this be environmental?(I'd love an excuse to move away from here- ha ha)

thanks in advance for your replies!

Amie

[WuWei]

I'd add zinc, magnesium, and vit C to your diet. Epsom salt baths will help too. Where to start? Help 101

The top allergens are dairy, soy, corn, wheat/gluten. If she has green-mucusy poops and a red ring around her anus, I'd eliminate all dairy for 2-6 weeks, first. Soy intolerances are commonly associated with dairy. There are a lot of hidden dairy (and soy) ingredients in food. Let me know if you need the long list, if you are buying any processed/packaged foods.

Adding a whole food probiotic is more effective than bottled probiotics, imo. Water kefir or coconut kefir is easy and amazingly healing for guts/skin.

Pat

[Geigerin]

Thanks for the suggestions! I've been off Dairy for over 2 months already. She only occasionally has a green mucousy poo. But I'm sure I do accidentally get some dairy. If you have link to the list of names, I'd appreciate it. Thank you!

I do take vit c (i've been struggling with clogged ducts/mastitis). I also take lecithin. I know it's soy, but it's the only thing keeping mastitis at bay.. Any suggested alternatives?

[kjbrown92]

I'd remove all of those top 4. Gluten isn't that hard these days - there's rice pasta and rice crackers, etc. at most major grocery stores now. And it's the second most common intolerance after dairy.

If your DH has allergies, then it's probable that your child has them too, unfortunately, whether they are seasonal allergies, food allergies or food intolerances. They "say" that seasonal allergies don't show up until at least age 2 (my kids actually corresponded with that) though I've known pet allergies to show up much sooner than that.

And for people predisposed to allergies, moving doesn't help. They just become allergic to the new place....

[WuWei]

Here is a list of hidden diary: http://www.kellymom.com/store/handou...dden-dairy.pdf

Hidden corn: http://www.cornallergens.com/list/co...ergen-list.php

Pat

[Geigerin]

Boo to allergies showing up in new places. I really want to move back home. Lol

Thank you for the links! It sounds like we'll have to try cutting out gluten. And based on those lists of ingredients, it may be easier to stay exclusively with whole foods.