WDYT - Tree Nut Allergy? - UPDATE

[scarlettsmom]

(((((hugs)))))) how strange!  I wonder if there was so type of residue on his sheets or pjs or something?  The wakefulness could be explained away, but the hives are baffling.

Perfect timing for the allergist.

Keep us updated!

[Mom to M&M]

I've wondered the same but it happens some times when we've been out midday too and I'd think his whole body would be covered if residue? really don't know. I did used to explain away the wakefulness but it does seem tied to the hives - I'm guessing he's also uncomfortable at the same time with his throat or stomach or something? Really don't know. My SIL thinks maybe the pizza could have been cross contaminated with pesto/pine nuts or something but I just don't know. Really hope the allergist gives some answers today... He's napping now and I'm trying to figure out how best to keep him semi-occupied and calm there for what could be up to 2-3 hours later!

BTW the hives were almost gone (at least for now) by 9 am or so...

[Mom to M&M]

So still no answers... All the skin tests showed up negative. At first they weren't sure if there was a very slight reaction to pistachios and pine nuts but then they said no. So the doc said he was 95% sure there is no nut allergy (they also tested for milk, soy, etc and environmental stuff too). For now he said to go ahead and let him play with the acorns if he wants (could just be a contact reaction?) and eat the stuff he wants - because if mild/undetected allergy could actually help him build up a tolerance? And to call him if notice anything different/worse or have more concerns. So I'm glad they didn't find anything but wish I knew what was going on. Argh. And we all need some sleep too.

[teilvnav]

Hmm, not super helpful. Well, at least if it is an allergy it is not a serious one...

Sorry Karen, I had hoped for better answers for you.

[Mom to M&M]

So in continued oddness... Yesterday DS was in a FOUL mood all day. Barely eating, hives getting worse through day, lots of smelly poops, BAD diaper rash. Last night he slept horribly, up screaming a few times and actually needing a bottle to finally settle at 3am.

Then this morning it hit me... Sunday night we were at a family burger joint with the kids and friends. DS wasn't eating well and my friend had a leftover pouch of Ella's kitchen puree in her bag. It was pumpkin, sweet potato, apples and blueberries and DS happily devoured it all. BUT, as a baby starting solids I suspected a squash allergy as the few times i tried squash he got rashy and was up screaming at night. Hadn't given him squash or the like since. So I'm guessing he DOES have a squash/pumpkin allergy? But is it odd that it's a rather delayed reaction?

Should I bother calling the allergist about this? He wasn't tested for squash since it's not a common allergen at all. But TBH I didn't love this doctor (though he is very reputable and thought to be very good by some neighbors and our Ped). He had done scratch testing. BTW, my SIL's ped allergist thinks blood tests are better/more reliable at this age. Is it worth calling her doctor for a second opinion? Or just holding off on squash related foods for now?

AND, if he does have a squash allergy, what other foods might I want to avoid?

TIA as always.

[Mom to M&M]

Course this still doesn't explain what he was reacting to (with same symptoms) a couple weeks ago. He hadn't had squash or pumpkin then... He does eat zucchini a fair amount - always has. Could this be a factor?

[teilvnav]

Well, you could try eliminating all squash-type foods as well as zuchinni for a while and see if it helps. It is certainly worth noting, and letting your doctor know.

I can't really say if your SIL's doctor is better, but maybe you could go in for a consultation and see if he/she fits your family better?

[Mom to M&M]

Yea Amy I definitely think something is up. The winter squash seems a stronger reaction but he did have zucchini at lunch yesterday (I put grated zucchini in the turkey patties I make) and he was crankier in the afternoon and starting to get a bit hive-y and had another bad night and hives again this morning. Whatever it is seems to be a delayed reaction, that's for sure. I guess I'll call the allergist we already saw this morning and see what he thinks. A friend of mine a few towns over really likes her allergist so maybe I'll use him/her if I need a second opinion - SIL's doc is half an hour away (over a toll bridge and all)...

[Mom to M&M]

Me again... Left message for allergist - don't think he has office hours today. Meanwhile, found online that squash, pumpkin, zucchini are all part of gourd family. So maybe I should eliminate all the foods in that group (including cantaloupe, which he also eats and had yesterday) for now and see if there is any difference?

Gourd (Melon): Casaba; Cantaloupe; Cucumber; Honey Dew; Muskmelon; Persian Melon; Pumpkin; Squash; Vegetable Marrow; Watermelon, Zucchini.

[teilvnav]

I would definitely do that, just to see if it helps. Can't hurt!!

[scarlettsmom]

Yes, I would restrict everything in tye pumpkin, squash family as well.  And yes a delayed reaction can absolutely happen.  That's how it is with my dd2.  And it seems like gi symptoms so possibly an intolerance not an allergy, which won't show up on scratch tests or blood tests.  They need to do a skin patch test.  Where they take a tiny bit of the suspect allergen, put it in a sample and actually tape it to the LOs back for 24/48  hours.  Typcially you take readings at 12/24/48 hours to see what welts up.  It was almost 100% correct with Gwyneth, and nothing showed up on the blood tests...didn't even do scratch tests, allergist said with her symptoms it wouldn't show up.

Can you ask about patch testing?

[Mom to M&M]

Thanks Tari, I can certainly ask when the allergist calls back. But it seems like BOTH GI symptoms and skin symptoms - with the hives and all? His face gets pretty hive-y (and also a few spots here and there otherwise) and I'm guessing his throat may get itchy since it affects his eating and he starting demanding his bottle?

Of course I'd given him both cantaloupe AND zucchini yesterday before thinking about this today. Sigh. So far today he's had blueberries, banana and raisin toast for breakfast and plan to give him some homemade thai chicken noodle soup for lunch. Also making a new batch of turkey vegetable burgers (with kale, onion and carrots).

[scarlettsmom]

That's exactly how it is with Gwynnie, she gets the hives, rash, on her face along with the GI symptoms    

It's confusing to me too....

[Mom to M&M]

Thanks again. Guess I'll see what the allergist says but even if he doesn't do skin patch testing just assume either intolerance or allergy and avoid? Does Benadryl help even for an intolerance?

What does Gwyneth react to?

[scarlettsmom]

I would go with your gut if further testing doesn't show anything.  It's not always accurate (the testing ), and you are the one that sees the reactions first hand, so yeah, would probably continue avoiding.

Benadryl will help for the hives, but won't help for the GI symptoms unfortunately.  That just has to be worked out of their system.  

What DIDN'T Gwyneth react to!! Lol  Seriously, when we did patch testing i think they did 33 samples, and about 29-30 she reacted to, and they were pretty right on.  She could only tolerate a few things for a long time.  Then her diet started broadening, and the samples with the biggest reactions, milk, tomato and corn, are still a little dicey.  She can do trace everything, and cheese, pizza, and just recently it looks like popcorn is ok.  Ice cream was a big fail a couple of months ago, so heat milk products are looking ok.  Basically straight up cows milk, and tomato.....but tomato is Turing into just a contact reaction (I think), she had huge rash/hives a few weeks ago after smearing herself with marina sauce....but stools were ok.  We've been dealing with this for so long (since she was 3 weeks old), that these last remaining mysteries are welcomed over the many many from before.  I went with my gut on almost every one and was usually right.

Hang in there!!!