living with kids with allergies group

[Arcanegirl]

Ive seen a few others around the forum and thought a group for us all to support each other, help with diets, recipie ideas etc would be a good idea

Dont know about anyone else, but i think the more support the better as its tough work!

The kiddies and their allergies:​

Connor - cows milk protein, soya and wheat
Alex - Cows milk protein, soya, white fish, beans and pulses
Little Man - dairy & soya
Katerina - Dairy, fish soya and tomatoes
Arlo: Dairy and soya allergy
Stanley -dairy and soy allergy. Also avoiding gluten / protein / nuts and other common allergens ​

Some useful links:

Soya and Dairy free diet fact sheet
https://www.cuh.org.uk/resources/pdf/patient_information_leaflets/PIN2243_cow%27s_milk_and_soya_free_diet.pdf

Recipies:

Link to veg kofte recipe: Lentils....with what?

Veg fingers:
1. cook veg and chop or mash together with potato mash
2. shape into sausages
3. dip in egg, flour and breadcrumbs
6. grill / shallow fry

Good old bubble and squeak YUUUMMM: https://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandsty...-squeak-recipe

Apple and rasin samosas
Serves 4
Ready in 45min
52p a portion
Suitable for freezing

2 cooking apples, peeled, cored and chopped. (Bramley Apples)
50g caster sugar
1tsp ground mixed spice
50g sultanas
4 sheets filo pastry
25g low-fat spread.

1. Turn oven to gas 6. Place the apples, sugar, mixed spice and sultanas in a pan with 2 tbsp water. Cover, then cook for 6mins or until the apples are soft, stirring once or twice. Tip into a shallow dish and spread out to cool slightly

2. Cut the sheets of filo into thirds lengthways, then brush lightly with the melted low-fat spread. Place a spoonful of the apple filling at the top of each strip, then fold over and over to form triangular parcels. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20mins, until crisp and golden.

Mango and pineapple sorbet
Serves 6
Takes 20mins plus freezing time
72p a portion

250g caster sugar
Grated rind 1 lime and juice of 3limes.
1 pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into chunks
2 mangos peeled and cut into chunks

1. Put caster sugar, grated rind and lime juice in a pan and bring to the boil with 200ml water. Simmer for 5mins, skim and cool. Whizz the fruit with the lime syrup in a food processor until smooth. Freeze for 3-4hrs until firm.

Crisp fishcakes with beetroot
Serves 4
Ready in 30mins
57p a portion
Suitable for freezing

500g cooked potatoes
4 spring onions, finely chopped
200g cooked beetroot, finely chopped ( make sure you use vacuum-packed beetroot without vinegar - the pickled variety is too sour for this recipe)
170g can salmon in brine, drained
1tbsp sunflower.

1. Put the potatoes into a bowl and mash roughly with a fork. Add the onions, beetroot and some salt and pepper, then mash everything together.Flake the salmon, then stir into the mixture. Using your hands, shape into 8 rough patties.

2. Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan, then add the fishcakes. Fry on a fairly high heat, until the underside is brown and crusty. Flip over and cook on the other side.

 

[Arcanegirl]

Ill start by introducing Alex..

He is currently 22 months and has suffered with Eczema since he was born. It was very mild, almost not even there for the first 5 months then from weaning gradually got worse.

We moved him onto cows milk at 1 year and still his skin was pretty bad, we saw the GP who referred us onto Yorkhill childrens hospital.

Before we were seen there, we tried goats milk and then no dairy at all. Did my research to be sure he was still getting everything he needed.

Saw the dermatologist who confirmed a dairy allergy to the protein, and prescribed various creams to get his skin to calm down.

6 months later his skin is still flaring up and now suspected that he maybe allergic to something else.
Hes had a flare up with lentils, which are part of the Legume family. As are soya beans. So we have cut out all soya and giving that a go.

Looking back at pictures this one was Alex at his worst before we saw the gp
https://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f328/karoline1246/DSCN4005.jpg

Will update with a recent picture when he will keep still for one

 

[Khloeee]

Hello! Great idea to start a group.

Arlo and I are fairly new to this and still figuring out his allergies but here is our story so far:

He was such an easy baby in the first 4 weeks. Slept almost constantly, waking every 3 hours to eat. He then became incredibly fussy and his sleeping was all over the place. For a month I thought he had colic and was just a fussy baby. Then reflux started to rear it's head. Stared off silent and then turned into full on puking reflux.

By 3 months I had an extremely unhappy baby. Everyone started to comment on how difficult he was so I knew it wasn't just my imagination! At 2.5 months he developed a bad case of ezcema over most of his body and face. If it wasn't for the ezcema I don't think it would occur to me that he might have allergies.

I have been on an elimination diet for 6 weeks. No dairy, soy, nuts, eggs, caffeine or alcohol. I am still eating wheat but that doesn't seem to affect him. It took about 2 weeks to see an improvement and his reflux got a LOT worse for a while but the improvement since has been remarkable. Ezcema pretty much gone and he is so much happier. I'm also starting to see an improvement with his sleep but this could be developmental.

I feel so bad when I think that he was suffering for the first 3 months of his life and I had no idea. I am concerned about weaning and not really sure how to go about it if he is allergic to dairy.

Next step for us is to add back in the eliminated foods one by one and work out what he is allergic to. I have a feeling it's either all diary or cow's milk.

 

[Khloeee]

I'll post some pics of his ezcema and the improvement when I'm next on the computer

 

[Arcanegirl]

welcome
That must have been very frustrating having such a fussy baby and not knowing why!

I am very thankfull at least that Alexs allergy just affects his skin, weve not had any troubles with colic, reflux or sleep.

Id say the elimination diet must be working wonders! 4 months is usually a sleep regression phase so hes sleeping better than thats fantastic!

I wouldnt worry about weaning just yet unless hes looking ready to. Concentrate on finding out what makes him fussy and what doesnt as you re introduce foods. One step at a time

 

[Khloeee]

So here is when he first flared up badly. It got worse than this and spread over his whole torso where in these photos it's just at the top.

https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/khloeee/IMG_4470.jpg
https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/khloeee/IMG_4459.jpg

And here he is a few days ago looking much better!
https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/khloeee/IMG_1271-24.jpg
https://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/khloeee/IMG_1262-21.jpg

 

[Khloeee]

welcome
That must have been very frustrating having such a fussy baby and not knowing why!

I am very thankfull at least that Alexs allergy just affects his skin, weve not had any troubles with colic, reflux or sleep.

Id say the elimination diet must be working wonders! 4 months is usually a sleep regression phase so hes sleeping better than thats fantastic!

I wouldnt worry about weaning just yet unless hes looking ready to. Concentrate on finding out what makes him fussy and what doesnt as you re introduce foods. One step at a time

I think he started his sleep regression a few weeks early and (fingers crossed!) is just coming out of it now after almost 5 weeks. But I also think the changes to my diet has helped.

Your poor boy's ezcema loks like it must have been very sore for him!

 

[Arcanegirl]

aww poor little man

 

[Arcanegirl]

Heres a couple of pictues i took 2 days ago, it was meant to be face on shots but he wasnt playing lol.

 

[Mumof42009]

come to join you

My ds's started whilst he was in nicu, everytime he was breast feed he used to end up vomiting mucas up then he was tried onto formula to top he up if they didn't have enough breast milk this made he very ill and their was days when it was touch and go. I don't know how many times I tried to tell the doctors and nurses something wasn't right but they never listened, so I cut all dairy out my diet and breast fed him completley which resolved things. They did RAST tests on him and he had full blown dairy allergy they sent us home with nutramigen aa which is same as neocate.
Since he has been on soilds we have had few bad reactions which involded his face coming up in massive hives about the size of fifty pence piece and his face swelling which luckly has gone down with piriton. He has had reactions to soya, goat's milk I use rice milk in his foods which he has taken to. His consultant is very reluctant to test him again but I want it done again for my piece of mind to what else he is allergic to.
My ds also has bad eczema and now been diagnosed with asthma. x

 

[Arcanegirl]

Mumof42009 i was looking for you to send you a pm

The RAST tests, is that the skin prick ones or the blood tests?

Weve not had much luck with either tests. The only one thats been helpful was dairy on the skin prick but everything else has been negative on both blood and skin prick.

There must be something that the NHS doesnt test for that Alex could be allergic to?

 

[sun]

Hello! :wave:

Bun and I have been completely off dairy since 6.5 months. I wish we had known sooner - we took him to the docs and specialists and they all said I could try eliminating stuff from my diet (he was exclusively BF) but he would probably grow out of it. They weren't too worried as he was gaining - very slowly, but gaining.

His symptoms were: crying/screaming/whining all day (docs put it down to colic), 6-8 completely liquid green poos a day that always had blood and mucous in them, eczema on his entire upper body especially the face, and wheezing. Also he wouldn't ever lie on his front and had no interest in playing or doing anything (also said it was colic). By 6.5 months we had been doing BLW but he refused to eat anything at all and hadn't gained an ounce for 2 months. After another app't with the ped who said he probably just had a "sensitive system" and his lack of weight gain "wasn't too bad yet", I did research on my own and decided I would cut out dairy first - if it didn't work I would then try wheat, eggs, then nuts. If that didn't work, would do more research.

Anyway after 2 weeks dairy-free all of Buns symptoms went away. Every single one. A month later he had gained 3lbs and was eating. Amazing! xxx He still gets a little eczema on and off, but nothing like last year where it would cover his cheeks and shoulders/sides.

Edit: The big reason why the docs didn't think it was an allergy is that he had no vomiting. They realize now he definitely does - has been tested and dairy (casein) is a no-no.
I just feel awful that he was in pain for so long and I could have just quit dairy and fixed everything

 

[Arcanegirl]

Sun

Thats not so good the doctors were fobbing you off Glad youve figured out the problem now!

 

[Mumof42009]

The RAST test is the blood test but tbh it's pretty much useless even consultant told me as they get so many false results. I was fighting to get the other test done where they expose the skin to different products to see if they react but it's too expensive and private doctors won't do it in children.

So many people don't understand the difference between milk allergy and lactose allergy, I remember arguing with my hv that milk allergy was different to lactose allergy.

Do you find when you tell people they don't actually understand what you are saying when you tell them it's a allergy? x

 

[Arcanegirl]

Thats strange, soundslike the skin prick test they did on Alex?
They put an allergen on his skin and pricked his skin so it would absorb through. Theyve done it twice now and tested a few of the main allergens.

 

[Mumof42009]

Thats strange, soundslike the skin prick test they did on Alex?
They put an allergen on his skin and pricked his skin so it would absorb through. Theyve done it twice now and tested a few of the main allergens.

The one Adi had done they took his blood from his foot and tested it but it's has so many false results, the test Alex had done is the one I wanted for Adi but they said it was too expensive. I'm going to see what dietian says when I see them. x

 

[Arcanegirl]

you added a bit to that post after i replied

Yep ive come accross people like that, there was a thread from yesterday with that argument

Its the "try this, itll work for you" that gets me.

 

[Arcanegirl]

Finally got some pictures, i dug out the digi cam for better quality so you can see.
This is day 4/5 (cant remember when we started) of a soya free diet.

https://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f328/karoline1246/Alexander%2018-24%20months/DSCN5012.jpg
https://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f328/karoline1246/Alexander%2018-24%20months/DSCN5013.jpg
https://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f328/karoline1246/Alexander%2018-24%20months/DSCN5034.jpg
https://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f328/karoline1246/Alexander%2018-24%20months/DSCN5041.jpg

 

[Mumof42009]

Have they given you any cream or anti histamine to use when he gets flare up's? Yeah seen it in the thread some people! x

 

[Arcanegirl]

Weve tried almost every cream under the sun! and antihistamines help somewhat.
I think because we still dont have the root cause of the flare ups, so creams wont do much good.