Unbeknownst to me, our allergy journey started on October 29, 2016 when our son, Lucas, was born. He was covered in a rash from the moment I first laid eyes on him and then for the next 6 months. I breastfed him from the beginning. Pediatrician thought he just had very sensitive skin. I agreed. Being a first time mom, I had no idea. He never had any other, consistent, outward signs of a food allergy. He was growing perfectly fine, gaining weight like he should, no GI issues except some spit up and being cranky at times. He was sleeping long stretches overnight at 12 weeks. We tried different soaps, different creams, prescription creams or nothing at all. Nothing was working.
Easter 2017 came. It was a fun day filled with family and food. Lucas just turned 6 months old. Dessert came out and without me knowing, my mother gave him the slightest taste of vanilla ice cream. It was instant hives all around his mouth. We took him upstairs and washed off his face and watched him for the rest of the day. The hives slowly started to go away. Phew! But I knew something wasn’t right. His 6 month well appointment with the pediatrician was the next day, so I took pictures to document everything. Took pictures of the food label too. I showed the pediatrician and immediately he said food allergies and it would be in his best interest to see a pediatric allergist. Two days later, we took him to the allergist. They skin tested him for a few major allergies. It showed that he had allergies to Dairy and Egg. We got handed a prescription for EpiPens. My world crashed. I got home that night and just cried and cried some more. My perfect baby boy had a major problem. I knew I couldn’t change anything with the diagnosis but I was faced with the decision to stop breastfeeding and go to an allergy friendly formula OR cut out, cold turkey, all his allergens from my diet. As much as I hated breastfeeding, I enjoyed it. So I continued on. My wonderful husband stopped everything, went to the grocery store and got me a whole bunch of dairy free and egg free alternatives. As the weeks went on, the switch was becoming easier on me and his skin cleared up. It was amazing! Major mom guilt though. How didn’t I recognize this from the beginning???? I can’t imagine how he felt!
Life went on with major modifications and our “new” normal. His daycare was and continues to be amazing with all his food allergies.
At 1 yr. old, he had an anaphylactic reaction to Pea protein and green peas.
At 1.5 years old, he had another anaphylactic reaction to Cashews, 911 was called and he went to the hospital via ambulance. At his next allergy appointment, they skin tested for Tree nuts. He had major reactions to all Tree nuts, except Almonds. Which we knew he’d most likely be fine with because he drinks almond milk.
Right around the time of his second anaphylactic reaction, we got blood work to check his levels for Dairy and Egg. So, 2 days after our ER visit, we got some hope! He looked to me outgrowing his dairy and egg allergies. So we scheduled his baked dairy and baked egg challenges. He passed his baked dairy challenge, so we’ve been slowly incorporating baked dairy into his diet but even that has it’s restrictions. Nonetheless, it was news my ears needed to hear!!!!!!
His baked egg challenge is coming up a few weeks. So everyone- keep your fingers crossed for a great outcome!!!
- Megan
- Megan
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