New here confused and scared

[Norasmomma]

Hi long time MDC member, but this whole allergy thing is a completely new thing for me.

I am here because on Monday August 9 my son had a pretty severe reaction to hummus, obviously either sesame or bean related. We have no prior history in our immediate family(DH and myself, or DD) . Well I have seasonal pollen allergies due to where we live. What happened was DS(10 months) had eaten some hummus, plain no crazy flavors, he's eaten it before. This time though he rubbed some in his eye and within 10 minutes his eye was basically swelling shut and he got hives, his reaction was fast. I immediately got him in the car and drove to our nearest clinic 10 minutes away. They assessed him and gave him benedryl and observed him for the next few hours. His swelling started going down within 20 minutes and he seemed more like his perky self.

Needless to say I am shaken up by this. The PAC who was on call at the clinic talked to the allergy specialist in the nearest small city, he travels to my area and so we have an appointment, they would like to see the container from what we ate, and check my son out. He also now has an epi-pin Rx. My ped thinks it's a good idea for us to meet with him, of course I do too, but I am pretty freaked out. DH is not so much, but he didn't see his baby's face swell up like DD and I did. I'm of course scared for my baby.

Not sure what I am doing just looking for a bit of advice in this matter thanks for reading.

[MariaMadly]

This is so scary! Handling that in a way that helps has been a long road for our whole family. We just try to use fear to keep us careful, take solace that we *are* being careful, and let that stop it short of immobilizing anybody.

Sounds as though your DS is being followed very proactively. It's wonderful to hear that the clinic kept him for a few hours rather than just sending him on his way, and that he's on the books for follow-up care.

Advice at this point? What I can think of is to get as much info as you can; www.foodallergy.org is one place to start. Scott Sicherer's "Understanding and Managing Your Child's Food Allergies" and Michael Young's "Peanut Allergy Answer Book" might be worth checking out of your library. There are also children's books that might work well for your DS and DD as they learn to live with this situation.

Another important thing is that you and your DH are on the same page with handling this. If it's possible and you think it would help, I'd suggest he make as many appointments with your DS as possible. And just keep talking with one another and taking care of each other!

[Norasmomma]

Thanks-I'll look into that site. I am all about gathering as much knowledge as possible in this situation. My DH is concerned, but he is not as concerned as I am. I of course feel badly because I gave him the stuff that ultimately caused his reaction, but he'd had it in the past, so I guess that maybe I have a little guilt in the matter.

His care is being taken very proactively, the PAC at our local clinic also has a baby who is the same age, I think that may have home with her. It's not the clinic I normally go to, I go to ped about a half hour away. I spoke with my Dr's head nurse today and she said the allergist is good, but if they can't diagnose what is going on we may be referred to a pediatric allergist, if we need to. I have to admit I never really gave food allergies much thought, but I guess that's the name of the game in this situation. I also didn't realize until reading later what a bad reaction it was, I mean I knew, but didn't realize-IDK, weird.

I'm really thinking it was the sesame, I've been reading about that and the reactions and it sounds like that was what it was.

Thanks again.

[mama9]

Hi , you said he has eaten it before. Was that with no adverse reactions whatsoever? Was it the exact same brand of humus that he had this time? And is it possibly 'contact' allergy as opposed to ingested, as it affected him once it got into his eye? Just some questions that came to mind. I hope all goes well with your son and best wishes to you xxxxxxxx

[sbgrace]

My son is sesame allergic and I hope it's not sesame but given the allergencity and reaction you describe I agree it probably is sesame.
Sesame is a tough one to be your "entrance" into the allergy world unfortunately so I'm sorry for that. But you will figure this out! I'm happy to help you.

I want you to know in studies that allergy testing has a very poor predictive value for sesame allergy meaning that a significant percent of people with documented food challenge sesame allergy even severe will test negative even though they are seriously allergic. So testing for sesame is not reliable essentially. That said, my son was positive and others are as well so testing in this case is warranted including the other ingredients. Just realize in this case a negative may not be a negative.

The next part will be overhelming or was for me so don't read until you are ready:
Generally, there is sesame cross in all commercial crackers, all commercial bread products except Berlin Natural Bakery, and in many other products unfortunately. It isn't labeled and can be natural flavors or spices so that makes it complicated to avoid as does it's prevalence in breads based products.

The good news: the Berlin bread is good and also very healthy without extra junk and they ship to homes. We've been very happy with them and of course you can make bread yourself as well. Crackers are extremely easy to make on your own if you need them. McCormick spices are very sesame aware/as safe as spices can be (no other spice company is--but McCormick is widely available). After you adjust things aren't so overwhelming.

There is a protein that crosses sesame with cashew, pistachio, and mango. I would avoid them. My son's original sensitization was I now believe sesame. He went into anaphylaxis with trace pistachio or cashew we believe. So approach those carefully and I'd avoid knowing what I know. Hemp seed is almost always contaminated with sesame from the fields were both are grown. I'm glad you have an epi pen. Make sure you know all the signs (hives aren't always involved for example) and you're ready to use it when/if needed. Epis are 911 and stay in the ER for several hours in case there is a biphasic reaction (read about that as well).

My son has never has had two ana reactions (one right after the first because I trusted someone to make a safe cake and learned my lesson on that) and hasn't had another in over a year.

[Norasmomma]

Originally Posted by mama9

Hi , you said he has eaten it before. Was that with no adverse reactions whatsoever? Was it the exact same brand of humus that he had this time? And is it possibly 'contact' allergy as opposed to ingested, as it affected him once it got into his eye? Just some questions that came to mind. I hope all goes well with your son and best wishes to you xxxxxxxx

No it wasn't the same brand, in fact the type he had before was homemade at my work. That day we had a bit from Tribe of 2 Shieks and I also made some, but most of what he ate was the commercially prepared kind. His reaction was so quick within 5-10 minutes, he's a baby he eats and rubs stuff on his face. I KNOW he ate some because I gave it to him.

I am actually feeling better about the whole thing, last night after I got the message from the PAC at the clinic I cried, the whole epi-pen thing kinda freaked me, like I almost killed my son or something. I guess that is why I am more freaked out than DH.

I have benedryl on hand the epi I will get tomorrow.

[mama9]

I'm so glad that you are feeling better about it all. I know how it feels to panic - I was in a state when I saw blood in my DS poop the other day and have only just calmed down from that.

It could have been something in the 'brand' humus that wasn't in your homemade humus and I would check the label to see what was in it that is not in your homemade humus - and perhaps even call them to find out if it is prepared in a way that any other ingredients can get into it. I'm sure that the wise mamas on here will help you find the culprit and good luck to you xxx

[organicmom3]

I would definitely research everything on that label....it could be a preservative and not the sesame or beans....possibly msg related or like I said, a preservative he doesn't normally have or in a higher amount...or a contact reaction like someone else mentioned but with preservatives. It may of course, be the sesame....but don't be too quick to assume. Best of luck!

[JaneS]

Yes my son is anaphylactic to sesame. He had also had it before with no incident. That is probably when they were sensitized.

It should be added to the "Top 8" to make it a "Top 9" as it is the fastest growing allergy it seems. But there is government red tape in this country and study requirements (ie. money). I think Canada and Israel recognize it more?

[sbgrace]

I don't know about Israel but Canada and Europe require sesame be declared on the labels like other prevalent allergens such and nuts, dairy, wheat, eggs, etc. Sesame is very likely more prevalent than some of the other allergens in the top eight. I don't know of any US studies but it's fourth most prevalent in Australia and third most prevalent in Israel. http://www.foodnavigator.com/Science...bels-essential

This article estimates at least 6th to 7th most common in the US and rising and points out that tree nut allergic kids are likely to be sesame allergic as well (and I would say vice versa). http://www.medicinenet.com/script/ma...ticlekey=98576

Things I wish I had known!