Monday, June 26, 2006
More allergies
Today we got Chloe's one year allergy tests back. The results were quite overwhelming.
In addition to the things she has had reactions to in the past (Milk, Oats, Soy), she also came back allergic to Peanuts, Wheat, Eggs, and Maverics (dogs).
I am trying to look at the positive...At least we know now BEFORE she eats those foods. Allergy testing is notoriously inaccurate, so there may be some false positives. However, with her age, her history (anaphylaxis) and the scores (she scored high and very high for each) we have to assume the worst, and hope for the best. That means we'll avoid all of those foods for the foreseeable future, and hope that she outgrows the allergies. If we practice strict avoidance, she has a great chance of outgrowing everything except peanuts by the time she is 4-5 years old. And, 20% of kids diagnosed with peanut allergies when they are under age 2 outgrow the allergy, so she has a chance. And actually, if I had to pick a life-threatening food allergy, I would pick peanuts, because people "get" that one - there is just a lot more awareness of it in schools, and a lot more research efforts on finding a treatment. In fact, shots (like allergy shots) will be available within the next 10 years.
We are hopeful and are just concentrating on doing what we can to keep her healthy and growing! She is doing great. She is happy, learning, and developing like she should. She is also growing like a weed - still in the 75 percentile for weight at 23 pounds.
And with regard to the dog allergy...well...did I mention these tests can be inaccurate? She scored highly allergic to dogs, yet spends each day cuddling with Maverick with not so much as a single hive. So, I am burying my head in the sand on that one. If she starts reacting to him, we'll be looking for a loving home, but for now he is going to stay.
In addition to the things she has had reactions to in the past (Milk, Oats, Soy), she also came back allergic to Peanuts, Wheat, Eggs, and Maverics (dogs).
I am trying to look at the positive...At least we know now BEFORE she eats those foods. Allergy testing is notoriously inaccurate, so there may be some false positives. However, with her age, her history (anaphylaxis) and the scores (she scored high and very high for each) we have to assume the worst, and hope for the best. That means we'll avoid all of those foods for the foreseeable future, and hope that she outgrows the allergies. If we practice strict avoidance, she has a great chance of outgrowing everything except peanuts by the time she is 4-5 years old. And, 20% of kids diagnosed with peanut allergies when they are under age 2 outgrow the allergy, so she has a chance. And actually, if I had to pick a life-threatening food allergy, I would pick peanuts, because people "get" that one - there is just a lot more awareness of it in schools, and a lot more research efforts on finding a treatment. In fact, shots (like allergy shots) will be available within the next 10 years.
We are hopeful and are just concentrating on doing what we can to keep her healthy and growing! She is doing great. She is happy, learning, and developing like she should. She is also growing like a weed - still in the 75 percentile for weight at 23 pounds.
And with regard to the dog allergy...well...did I mention these tests can be inaccurate? She scored highly allergic to dogs, yet spends each day cuddling with Maverick with not so much as a single hive. So, I am burying my head in the sand on that one. If she starts reacting to him, we'll be looking for a loving home, but for now he is going to stay.
