Allergies

For years Lizzy has had severe seasonal allergies, as well as trouble (itchy throat, sometimes hives, and swelling) when eating some fresh fruits and vegetables.  She has learned to avoid certain fruits and vegetables, or relieve the reactions by eating a piece of bread afterwards, and or taking an antihistamine.  Her seasonal allergies have been so bad, that she takes Allegra daily.

We met with an Allergist, to determine some options for her seasonal allergies.  Dr. Broadbent, decided to conduct a thorough allergy test.  An intolerance test was conducted.  A grid was drawn on her back, and with a prick of the skin, tiny amounts of potential food allergens were inserted under the surface of her skin. When red bumps or swelling occurred, they were measured and recorded.

Nut testing was the first test done on her back.  Once they determined there was a definite problem with nuts, they conducted the same tests on her arms, testing trees, weeds, fruits, vegetables, fish, and animals.

Blood tests were also conducted to determine her intolerance's.  We were VERY surprised with the results. She is allergic to ALL nuts except Brazil nuts. Who eats Brazil nuts anyway?  She is most allergic to Hazel Nuts which had a reading of 75+ (out of 100) which is not good.  I don't know all the numbers, but we were informed to avoid nuts completely and to always carry an epupen.  She needs to read all labels and make sure that anything she eats has not been contaminated by nuts.

She is also allergic to MANY fresh fruits and vegetables.  The doctor said, "Eating fresh fruits and vegetables that she is allergic to will make her uncomfortable, but will not kill her; nuts no the other hand will."

The good news, is that she is NOT allergic to animals.  Yay!

So the question you might be asking is,  How did we not know about this for 14 years? The answer is, your intolerance's can alter over time, so she will need a blood test annually to determine whether her food allergies are better or worse. That may not be the entire answer, but it is the complete answer I want to believe.  However, it might have something to do with a uneducated, or an unalarmed mom (yep that's how I want to word it).  I thought, as long as she is breathing well, she would be ok.  I guess that is not so. Still learning, after 6 kids.

Happy to be there.  Intolerance testing.

Cream for the itches.

Starting the nut test.

Yummy fruit tray she made for the 4th of July. No more tasty fruits.