help with childrens allergies

[Silver Lilly]

Hi our 2year old has had an egg allergy since birth but we are still waiting for a test to 'medically' confirm this. Although we have had to rush her into casualty because of her severe reactions.

We then a few weeks a go went to a restaurant that we have been to before lots and she reacted again this time we don't know to what as all egg free. This has happened before too.

Up until now this has always been controlled by piriton.

However last week we went to a party where there were peanuts on the table and she reacted just via them being there. This was calmed with piriton.

Then on Mothers day we where out for lunch when she reacted again this time too everything was egg and nut free.

This was her worse reaction yet and we ended up spending a day in casualty with her on steroids.

We have now been given epi pens and told to carry on avoiding anything at all containing or that could have been contaminated with eggs or nuts.

Therefore I have spent the last three days going through all of the cupboards and getting rid of anything that does not clearly say that it does not contain these ingredients and being vegetarian too it doesn't seem to leave us with a lot.Refilling seems to be costing a fourtune and its getting costly sorcing the right info.

Has anyone else had to be this extreme?
I have contacted all of the companies of the unclear-labelled foods and am excluding of adding food using the information they give me.

But companies are saying things like our product says it may contain nuts because we can't guarantee the exact manufacturing methods of our suppliers or that they sometimes use sesame oil to cook two of there products.

What are everyone else’s cut off points?

Even frozen and fresh Veg could be contaminated if you look at it from a certain angle!

I am worried I am going to far an making myself more anxious in the bargain as my IBS and stressed jaw issue is getting worse and I am already on anti depressants so I need to draw a line some where quickly.

Also how do you store use practically all of the info companies send to you. We already have a pile of paperwork to deal with.

HHHHHHEEEEEEELPPPP!

[lebly]

my children all had egg allergy though not to this extent. It is difficult and worrying. Is there a possiblility that there could be some other allergy ie milk protein?

This was a failrly bad one with my children, they are growing out of them. One of my boys did get alot worse at the age of around 2. Best thing I can suggest is keeping a diary of her reactions. What she has eaten, where. Look out also for a slight red rash on the cheeks after she has eaten something this was how I always new they had had something before I did sometime. This reaction was allways immediate.

They were allergic to egg, milk, soya,strawberries, kiwi. Milk oftern is one of the very common allergies. Have a look on internet for help sites. I think one is allergy.co.uk but will check. Also one of mine when ill reacts to potato!

Good luck I know very stressfull. Symapthy with ibs mine is flairing up a mo due to stress of children feel like bloated windbag waiting to pop!!

[lebly]

http://www.allergyuk.org/

Also go back to GP and push to see paeds again re test!

[blue_monkey]

My friends daughter has severe allergies - especially to nuts. We found that almost everything had written on the labels that it might contain nuts - I guess this is because it covers them should a child have an allergic reaction and they cannot get the blame for a tragic death (as has happened in the past). My friends check on the food by rubbing it on their daughters lips slightly, she is able to tell them if it starts to itch and if so she can't have it if it has no effect then she can eat it. However, it is surprising how much she can eat despite it saying that the contents 'cannot be guarenteed as being nut free'.

I am not suggesting that you do this, it depends on your child and this little one knows despite being just 2 and is able to tell her parents and will not eat it, they too have epi-pens for her.

The manufacturers are all going to tell you the same - the same as if you buy medication it lists all of 1000 symptoms so they cannot get the blame if something goes wrong as you have been told of the risks before using it.

My friends little girl had allergies of wheat, gluten, eggs, etc... lots of things but they are not vegetarian so could have the meat only sausages but she has just grown out of them and she has turned 4 so it is possible that they can grow out of the allergies. Fingers crossed for you though, I am asthmatic and allergic to many things and I do try and keep my kids away from as much as I am allergic to but they seem to be OK with fruits. As for me, I do the same as my friends do for their little girl and rub it on my lips or lick it, if it starts to tingle I don't eat it else I'll end up not being able to breathe. My allergies are bizarre though - fruit being one of them and 6 months ago I thought I would try figs, one touch of them in my mouth and it swelled so I can sympathise with everything you are going through, it is not easy at all but maybe you'll find a way around it for yourself as most of these things do not contain these products but they are used in the way of a fall back incase something should happen to someone after eating something of theirs.

[blue_monkey]

You should also be able toget private testing through your local private clinic if you need to. you'll end up seeing a dietician on the NHS to go through the allergies. My friends daughter took a year to get her tests though despite ending up in hospital a few times so there is a wait. Maybe think about a private referal if you have the cash or health insurance. Ask your GP for this but you'll be seen in a week rather than 6 months. good luck.

[Haleyscomet]

I am allergic to tomato you cant believe how many things contain this. i find that if i make things from scratch instead of buying packets etc you can find some really good websites that can show you what you can substitute for others i find this one particulary good, this is also good for IBS sufferers like the OP.

http://www.recipes4us.co.uk/Specials%20and%20Holidays/Special%20Diets%20Allergies/Special%20Diets%20and%20Allergies.htm

[nappentass]

I've found this site very useful about food intolerances -
http://www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info/

they also campaign to know exactly what's in food products, including what they're processed with, so you may find more detail on what's in products that the manufacturers do not have to put on labels which may help your little one.

HTH
Jill

[Silver Lilly]

Thank you so much for your support we are pushing for tests and have got an appointment in two weeks time.we will keep going and cooking from scratch until we know more for certain.I will take a look at the sites you mentioned thanks.

I trook her to a friends to look after 2 older kids today and that was really stressful as they have gerbils whose food contains nuts.Then the food i had to cook for them had been in a factory with nuts but she was ok.well so far she hasn't reacted.

I am hoping the tests will show up the severity of the allergies.which companies do you trust to buy your foods from? i mean even bread is tricky.Although she has never reacted to bread bought un packaged before there is always a first time.

[lebly]

When my children were really bad I made my own bread. This way you know exactly what goes in it. Free from ranges are really quite good. If your daughter is having raft??!!??(spelling??) tests they can show negative reactions even if your child is allergic. You will possibly get the advice I got which is avoid what they react or seem to react to and they will get tested again at 5 which is when the reactions will have gone completeley or if they are here to stay. They do skin tests and give food allergic to but in hospital environment in case of severe reaction!

Good luck again - I felt like i was banging my head on brick wall with this and still am to some extent!

[Silver Lilly]

Good morning all - I now need a birthday cake or a failsafe recipe.Need to leave for shops asap so any ideas?