Thanks to all of you for responding so quickly, and for all of your
ideas. It is so nice to know that I can talk to you all and you
understand since you've been there. Today I called the nurse
practitioner we see a lot (who has a son with autism) and she wrote
me the prescription for the Epipen. I agree with you all, that is
most important. I also got an appt. next Thursday with another
allergist she recommended, so we will have more testing. The two
products that he reacted to are Lays Sour Cream and Onion Potato
Chips, and Frito-Lay French Onion Dip. They are so similar, since
they are made by the same company and share many ingredients. I
wonder if it is the MSG or onion powder, or some other additive. I
am trying to keep his diet "wholesome" and simple because all those
preservatives and additives cause nothing but trouble! Before this,
I tried to keep him on a healthy diet, allowing limited snack foods
such as these, but now I know I have to cut that stuff out! He is
such a picky eater, though (no surprise, huh?) The weird thing is
that the time his face and lips swelled up one morning, it was at
least 12 hours after he had anything to eat. Are such delayed
reactions common? That was with the chips. With the dip, he broke
out in hives within 10-15 minutes, and he had been clear for about a
week before. As far as environmental concerns, we did put a new
carpet in his room, but it was back in July, and he started having
problems in Sept. (unless it was again a delayed reaction). I wash
our clothes in fragrance-free detergent, no fabric softener. I have
his mattress and pillow encased to protect against dust mites (I
have that allergy and our bed is encased also). I think such a
strong reaction as he had was from something he ingested, though.
Tonight he was so itchy. Does the baking soda bath work better than
an Aveeno bath? Aveeno baths haven't made much of a difference. He
has had some intermittent eczema in the past (my husband and I do,
too), plus I remember when he was a baby (he's 5 yrs. old now) that
he had a bad rash where his diaper seam was when we tried a certain
diaper. I'm trying to think if there is anything else significant.
He has had joint pain, and a few times, he said his throat hurt
(that made me wonder about the swelling). I have been keeping track
of what he eats and when he reacts. Even though he tested negative
for chocolate, he still seems to react after that, so I think he
still may be allergic to that. He tends to get hives and rashes
where the seams of his clothing are (waist, neck) or the back of his
thighs when he sits for a while. He gets rashes and hives when he
exercises or gets hot. If I scratch his back, he will develop a big
welt that lasts at least 15-20 minutes. Two nights ago, the palms
of his hands were red and very itchy. He has this exagerrated
histamine reaction. I have to take him off the Allegra this weekend
so he will be ready for testing Thursday. I hope he will be okay.
They said he can stay on the Singulair. By the way, the front cover
of Newsweek this week has a report on the rise of food allergies in
children. Sorry this was so long!
Trista
P.S. I live in Virginia. I know one of you asked that, and I was
trying to remember what everyone said! :-)
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