Food Allergies

**Jenn** · #1 January 30th, 2009, 07:17 AM

So both boys are allergic to a food so far that I know of. Liam is allergic to pumpkin (I know, very bizarre) and Lochy is allergic to strawberries. Is this something that they will grow out of at some point or will they always be allergic? Neither dh nor I have food allergies and I don't really know anyone who does. For now we just steer clear of these things for them and I stay away from strawberries too since Lochy still nurses. Is there a point I could introduce them again or don't bother?

They both break out into terrible hives when they eat their food--Liam's hives are concentrated on his face, head, and upper torso and Lochy's are concentrated on his legs, thighs, and lower torso.

soImarriedAnerd · #2 January 30th, 2009, 08:19 AM

Some people grow out of allergies, some grow into allergies, some keep them forever....no way to know.
There are simple scratch allergy tests a doctor can do to see what the boys are allergic too (usually its more then one thing).

petalfuzz · #3 January 30th, 2009, 01:34 PM

I only know that for myself, I developed an allergy to soy lecithin (discovered by trial/error), and my tolerance of that ingredient declined very rapidly. It was in my multivitamin at the time, so I was able to stand 80 mg for years, then I dropped to half dosage which was okay for a while (40 mg), but then I couldn't stand that either. So now I assume that that's my breakoff point.

I break out in horrible hives. So I try to avoid it--and it pops up in tons of prepared foods so I have to be careful. Ingredient lists also don't list how much of the ingredient is in each serving, so usually if it's the last ingredient I'll try some and see if I react.

It may be different with your boys, I just wanted to share my experience!

Mod-LadyCoconut · #4 January 30th, 2009, 10:58 PM

I don't have any food allergies but it was always my understanding that they generally got worse and not better. Angela's a nurse though so I'd trust her advice more than my "well I think..." haha.

*JenJen* · #5 January 30th, 2009, 11:15 PM

my brother had food allergies as a young child and outgrew most of his, but it took close to ten years for him to do so. I didn't develop food allergies until i was in my teens and they have gotten worse over the years. I'd talk to your pediatrician about it and see what they say

soImarriedAnerd · #6 January 31st, 2009, 02:52 AM

I had a room mate once that was told by several doctors she was like DEATHLY allergic to beef (she carried an epi-pen)...found it out after developing the allergy in her teens, then by her mid 20's she sudden lost the allergy! Allergies are weird! My mom developed them as she got older and they have gotten worse. Her brother had some when he was little and grew out of them.

**Jenn** · #7 January 31st, 2009, 08:31 AM

Thanks for all the input ladies. I guess I'll just keep them away for right now. It's not really a big deal because it's not like pumpkin and strawberries are in many things.

The only allergy I have is to penicillan but I didn't develop that til my early 20s.

~*Bethy*~ · #8 January 31st, 2009, 09:09 AM

Quote:

my brother had food allergies as a young child and outgrew most of his, but it took close to ten years for him to do so. I didn't develop food allergies until i was in my teens and they have gotten worse over the years. I'd talk to your pediatrician about it and see what they say[/b]

Same as my husband, he got celiac when he was in middle school, didnt know what was wrong with him for 2 or so years. finally got diagnosed with it in the 7th grade. He's 26 now, and even though its backed off some he is still very caustious of what he eats. He gets a rash if he eats anything Gluten, MSG, Distilled Vinegar, Wheat, Oats, Barley, Rye and Spelt grains - but could damage the lining of his stomach if he eats it too often. He hasent had a Wendy's hamburger in over what? 14 or 15 years?

But really it depends - since the kids are so young, I would amagine they would grow out of it if they got it at a really young age. Best bet would be to ask a pedi, but seriously though, Id just watch out for what you feed them, and keep them away from it. My son is allergic to eggs and apple juice, and I make SURE everyone who has him KNOWS he's allergic to these things other wise they get to buy me diapers haha!

Let me know if you need more info

~Beth

alicenwonderland · #9 January 31st, 2009, 11:16 AM

allergies are tricky. You can grow out of some. And some show up in your teenage years. I developed a chocolate allergy when I was 13, but because I continued to eat chocolate, I advanced my allergy to the point of anaphylaxis at 20 years old. The only prevention i've heard of is exclusively breastfeeding as long as you can.