Abby was tested for a panel of allergens today, consisting of cow's milk (2 types), soy, egg whites, egg yolks, egg wholes, wheat, apple, corn, peanuts, fish, dust mites, and cat dander.
With the skin test, no needles were used, but a tiny scratch (like being touched with sandpaper) was done to her back to apply the allergen.
Negative results mean that there is a 95% chance that the patient is not allergic to the allergen. Positive results mean that there is a 60% chance that the patient might be allergic to the allergen; that percentage is even lower if the patient has eczema.
So, negative results can tell us something, positive results don't mean much.
Abby tested positive to egg whites, egg yolks, egg wholes, and wheat.
As the doc put it, "The good news is, you don't have to get rid of your cats or your dust!"
The doctor also does not believe that the eggs or wheat would actually attribute to her eczema. Wheat, especially, he believes is not really an allergen!
So, the conclusion of today's visit to the allergist is that since I am still nursing Abby, I will cut out eggs from my diet for a week or so and see if her skin condition improves. If so, we've identified a food allergy trigger for her eczema. If not, we can TRY to eliminate wheat from my diet. However, given that Abby had eczema at 3 months of age and we have not seen any obvious reactions to wheat or egg products, both of which she's had since she was 5.5 months old, it's doubtful that either one is triggering her eczema.
Children with egg allergies tend to outgrow them by age 3.
Since Abby did show allergic tendencies, though, we were prescribed Epipens (one for daycare, one for home) in case she ever encounters an allergen that would cause her to need it.
In the meantime, the best recommendation for Abby's eczema is still to "wet and seal" her skin, as her doctor recommended at her 9 month check up. We will try to be more regimented about giving her daily baths and making sure she turns into a prune each time so that we can make sure she gets the moisture back in her skin.
With the skin test, no needles were used, but a tiny scratch (like being touched with sandpaper) was done to her back to apply the allergen.
Negative results mean that there is a 95% chance that the patient is not allergic to the allergen. Positive results mean that there is a 60% chance that the patient might be allergic to the allergen; that percentage is even lower if the patient has eczema.
So, negative results can tell us something, positive results don't mean much.
Abby tested positive to egg whites, egg yolks, egg wholes, and wheat.
As the doc put it, "The good news is, you don't have to get rid of your cats or your dust!"
The doctor also does not believe that the eggs or wheat would actually attribute to her eczema. Wheat, especially, he believes is not really an allergen!
So, the conclusion of today's visit to the allergist is that since I am still nursing Abby, I will cut out eggs from my diet for a week or so and see if her skin condition improves. If so, we've identified a food allergy trigger for her eczema. If not, we can TRY to eliminate wheat from my diet. However, given that Abby had eczema at 3 months of age and we have not seen any obvious reactions to wheat or egg products, both of which she's had since she was 5.5 months old, it's doubtful that either one is triggering her eczema.
Children with egg allergies tend to outgrow them by age 3.
Since Abby did show allergic tendencies, though, we were prescribed Epipens (one for daycare, one for home) in case she ever encounters an allergen that would cause her to need it.
In the meantime, the best recommendation for Abby's eczema is still to "wet and seal" her skin, as her doctor recommended at her 9 month check up. We will try to be more regimented about giving her daily baths and making sure she turns into a prune each time so that we can make sure she gets the moisture back in her skin.
Comments (1)
I would like to see if I have an allergy to dairy. I love milk and cheese but I have been having horrendous stomach pain lately. I am worried that my beloved dairy may be the culprit.
Cynthia | | http://www.allergypartners.com/chicago/SitePages/Allergist.aspx