Showing posts with label Allergies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Allergies. Show all posts
Monday, November 8, 2010
Ian's Turn at the Allergist
Ian's allergic to nothing! Unfortunately that means there's no apparent cause (other than the cold weather) for his rampant eczema. So onward we go trying to find a cream (or combo of creams) to help relieve his itchy legs. (He is currently 34.8 pounds (57th percentile) and 40 inches tall (60th percentile)).
And this is Lauren looking all... Rawr!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Allergy Update
Aaron saw his allergist this morning and got a pretty good review. His eczema is still bothersome, but there isn't a whole lot more we can do about it and it doesn't seem to be linked to how much egg product he eats. Ian had yucky eczema on his legs (backs of his knees, and in his armpits) pretty much until he turned three. Ian's has very recently cleared up to practically nonexistent.
Aaron's ear infection from 2 weeks ago is all cleared up and he is breathing well.
The allergist wants us to cut back on Aaron's pulmicort (nebulizer) dosage for July and August and then start back up "full force" on September 1st for the winter. So Aaron will get it every other night in July and every 3rd night in August instead of every night like he has been. Pulmicort is a steroid and there are always concerns about slowing down his growth. Aaron is already a peanut and he could use any break he can get to help him continue to grow well! Aaron has been gaining and growing in the last few months (as opposed to not gaining any weight at all over the winter) and his doctors attribute that to well-managed allergies and asthma not consuming all of his calories to fight off illnesses so he can pack on a little weight. He is still not on "the chart" for weight and only in the 5th percentile for height.
I happen to love his allergist. He's such a caring doctor and has great bedside manner. He really seems to love children, too. (He's both a pediatric and adult allergist.) He's a really good doctor. We've really been blessed with some excellent medical professionals for our children!
He also gets bonus points for mentioning to Ian that he was going to have a new baby sister "in the fall" and about fell out of his chair when I corrected him and said, "no...a couple of weeks!" He said, "Really?! You look great!" Telling a very pregnant lady she looks small and healthy will get you a pat on the back any day! (Sidenote, it must be true, I've been hearing it quite a bit lately... "you look great! you must feel good!" I do feel good. I feel great for being 36 weeks pregnant. Really!)
Aaron won't be going back to the allergist (or pediatrician) until October unless there's a problem! That's the longest stretch for him without having to see a doctor...ever! Let's hope he stays healthy and we don't have to have any sick visits between now and then!
Next week Ian will see the ENT to figure out what is going to happen now that his right ear tube has fallen out (and he's had an ear infection in that ear...). I'm not looking forward to hearing that it's time for a new set and most likely having tonsils/adenoids removed too. I'm prepared to hear it, but I don't want to hear it. Not right now. *sigh* If you could pray about that situation, we'd appreciate it!
Last weekend we went to Round Hill Farm Park with our friends Mike and Kim Markiw. We had a great time. It's a great park! Here are a couple more pictures from our visit to the "exhibit farm."
Aaron's ear infection from 2 weeks ago is all cleared up and he is breathing well.
The allergist wants us to cut back on Aaron's pulmicort (nebulizer) dosage for July and August and then start back up "full force" on September 1st for the winter. So Aaron will get it every other night in July and every 3rd night in August instead of every night like he has been. Pulmicort is a steroid and there are always concerns about slowing down his growth. Aaron is already a peanut and he could use any break he can get to help him continue to grow well! Aaron has been gaining and growing in the last few months (as opposed to not gaining any weight at all over the winter) and his doctors attribute that to well-managed allergies and asthma not consuming all of his calories to fight off illnesses so he can pack on a little weight. He is still not on "the chart" for weight and only in the 5th percentile for height.
I happen to love his allergist. He's such a caring doctor and has great bedside manner. He really seems to love children, too. (He's both a pediatric and adult allergist.) He's a really good doctor. We've really been blessed with some excellent medical professionals for our children!
He also gets bonus points for mentioning to Ian that he was going to have a new baby sister "in the fall" and about fell out of his chair when I corrected him and said, "no...a couple of weeks!" He said, "Really?! You look great!" Telling a very pregnant lady she looks small and healthy will get you a pat on the back any day! (Sidenote, it must be true, I've been hearing it quite a bit lately... "you look great! you must feel good!" I do feel good. I feel great for being 36 weeks pregnant. Really!)
Aaron won't be going back to the allergist (or pediatrician) until October unless there's a problem! That's the longest stretch for him without having to see a doctor...ever! Let's hope he stays healthy and we don't have to have any sick visits between now and then!
Next week Ian will see the ENT to figure out what is going to happen now that his right ear tube has fallen out (and he's had an ear infection in that ear...). I'm not looking forward to hearing that it's time for a new set and most likely having tonsils/adenoids removed too. I'm prepared to hear it, but I don't want to hear it. Not right now. *sigh* If you could pray about that situation, we'd appreciate it!
Last weekend we went to Round Hill Farm Park with our friends Mike and Kim Markiw. We had a great time. It's a great park! Here are a couple more pictures from our visit to the "exhibit farm."
Friday, February 26, 2010
16 Months and "Perfect"
Of course we all know that Aaron isn't perfect. (Nobody is, right?) Today his pediatrician called his development perfect. I wouldn't call it perfect, but he is doing GREAT!
When we think back to last year around this time (I didn't memorialize it on here, but was definitely thinking about it earlier in February) that Aaron had just spent a week at Children's Hospital and his tortocollis was really bad, it really is remarkable that he's above and beyond the developmental milestones for his age now.
His physical development is good, especially in the last weeks since he saw the Allergist and started his new allergy treatments. He's gained a pound since then! He has grown 4 inches since November. FOUR! I knew he was getting taller (can't open the kitchen drawers over top of his head anymore) but four whole inches?! That's a lot. He has only gained 1 pound 2 oz and has fallen off the chart for his weight/age, but who can blame him? His doctor's remark was, "Well he's growing taller and running all over the place, plus he's been sick quite a bit, it's no wonder he hasn't gained much. It isn't concerning to me at all. He's growing fine." His head is still small, only in the 10th percentile overall, but it must not be affecting his brain development!
His social, verbal, emotional, and motor skill development is excellent. He's doing everything he should be doing and then some. His pediatrician was quite impressed with his speech. Not only does Aaron know a lot of words, he's also very articulate. He loves being around and playing with other kids and he's really good at running, climbing, playing with legos, and using a fork. (Gross and fine motor skills.)
He didn't get his MMR vaccination today, like we had planned. He's allergic to eggs and it never crossed my mind! He's had other vaccinations (namely the flu shots, regular and H1N1) that were grown in eggs without noticeable reactions, but his pediatrician decided she'd rather we wait and talk to Aaron's allergist again before we proceed with the MMR. She said, "Just call me a paranoid mother, I guess, I just don't want to take any risks now that we've finally got him breathing better."
She's great. I love her. She's an excellent pediatrician.
He did get the Chicken Pox vaccine today, I guess that one is ok for kids with egg allergies? I was trusting her judgment. I'm going to google it as soon as I'm done typing.
Overall: great appointment. Aaron's a superstar. (But we already thought that.)
I really hope neither kid picked up anything awful there today. We've been "feeling good" for about a week. I guess we're due for the "next round" of whatever... I didn't let them out of the stroller and bathed them each in sanitizer several times, but we were still THERE... icky.
When we think back to last year around this time (I didn't memorialize it on here, but was definitely thinking about it earlier in February) that Aaron had just spent a week at Children's Hospital and his tortocollis was really bad, it really is remarkable that he's above and beyond the developmental milestones for his age now.
His physical development is good, especially in the last weeks since he saw the Allergist and started his new allergy treatments. He's gained a pound since then! He has grown 4 inches since November. FOUR! I knew he was getting taller (can't open the kitchen drawers over top of his head anymore) but four whole inches?! That's a lot. He has only gained 1 pound 2 oz and has fallen off the chart for his weight/age, but who can blame him? His doctor's remark was, "Well he's growing taller and running all over the place, plus he's been sick quite a bit, it's no wonder he hasn't gained much. It isn't concerning to me at all. He's growing fine." His head is still small, only in the 10th percentile overall, but it must not be affecting his brain development!
His social, verbal, emotional, and motor skill development is excellent. He's doing everything he should be doing and then some. His pediatrician was quite impressed with his speech. Not only does Aaron know a lot of words, he's also very articulate. He loves being around and playing with other kids and he's really good at running, climbing, playing with legos, and using a fork. (Gross and fine motor skills.)
He didn't get his MMR vaccination today, like we had planned. He's allergic to eggs and it never crossed my mind! He's had other vaccinations (namely the flu shots, regular and H1N1) that were grown in eggs without noticeable reactions, but his pediatrician decided she'd rather we wait and talk to Aaron's allergist again before we proceed with the MMR. She said, "Just call me a paranoid mother, I guess, I just don't want to take any risks now that we've finally got him breathing better."
She's great. I love her. She's an excellent pediatrician.
He did get the Chicken Pox vaccine today, I guess that one is ok for kids with egg allergies? I was trusting her judgment. I'm going to google it as soon as I'm done typing.
Overall: great appointment. Aaron's a superstar. (But we already thought that.)
I really hope neither kid picked up anything awful there today. We've been "feeling good" for about a week. I guess we're due for the "next round" of whatever... I didn't let them out of the stroller and bathed them each in sanitizer several times, but we were still THERE... icky.
Friday, January 29, 2010
The Incredible Inedible Egg
I bet you had no idea*!
The following ingredients found on a label indicate the presence of egg protein. All labels should be read carefully before consuming a product, even if it has been used safely in the past.
Lecithin
Natural flavoring
Nougat
Source: http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/resourcespre.php?id=36
*You probably did know this if you have or your kids have an egg allergy. But I can say I had no idea before this morning.
The following ingredients found on a label indicate the presence of egg protein. All labels should be read carefully before consuming a product, even if it has been used safely in the past.
Contain Egg:
| Albumin Apovitellin Cholesterol free egg substitute (e.g. Eggbeaters®) Dried egg solids, dried egg Egg, egg white, egg yolkEgg wash Eggnog Fat substitutes Globulin Livetin Lysozyme Mayonnaise Meringue, meringue powder | Ovalbumin Ovoglobulin Ovomucin Ovomucoid Ovotransferrin Ovovitelia Ovovitellin Powdered eggs Silici albuminate Simplesse Trailblazer Vitellin Whole egg |
May Contain Egg:
Artificial flavoringLecithin
Natural flavoring
Nougat
Source: http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/resourcespre.php?id=36
*You probably did know this if you have or your kids have an egg allergy. But I can say I had no idea before this morning.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Aaron has Allergies
I'm not surprised he has allergies. I am VERY surprised about which allergies he tested positive for!
The whole reason we ended up at the Allergist's office today was Aaron's near constant congestion and coughing. At first, his pediatrician was willing to dismiss it as asthma caused by respiratory illnesses. Well, I believe that is true in certain instances (he's been sick about 10 times in the last year or so), but I didn't really believe it wholesale. Many times Aaron has been the only one who was "sick." Nobody else got the "virus" that was causing all of Aaron's breathing troubles, not even Ian...and keeping those kids from sharing germs is impossible.
On Monday, while at the pediatrician for yet another episode of bronchiolitis, I asked if Aaron should be tested for allergies. His pediatrician agreed that perhaps Aaron did have an allergic cause for some of these respiratory problems.
So today, Aaron was tested for a bunch of different things. He didn't seem to mind the test at all, in fact he was really good the entire time.
A
If you notice, the 2 hives on the bottom left... those are Dust Mites. The egg allergy was a much more mild reaction than dust mites, but it is the top dot in the 3rd column.
Eggs??? REALLY?? I'm shocked! Although Aaron never eats eggs outright (scrambled or whatever, he doesn't like them), of course he eats things with egg in them all the time. His doctor said that it is obviously not an anaphylactic allergy to eggs, he is certain now that is what is causing Aaron's rampant eczema. (So I asked about Ian & my dad because they both have bad eczema too, and the allergist replied, "I bet you they have an egg allergy. Allergies & eczema run in families.") Intersting tibit- Ian & Aaron have never really liked eggs. Often when a child has a strong aversion to a food it is because he is allergic or sensitive to it!
Super!
So we have some work to do to cut down on Aaron's exposure to dust mite dander & eggs. Dust mites is going to be the easier of the two allergies to handle, and is the most probable cause for any allergic breathing problems Aaron has. We already don't have carpet and he sleeps on a crib mattress, which is not dust-mite harboring), his linens are washed regularly, not too many other cloth things in his bedroom, etc.
Reducing the amount of egg & egg products Aaron (& Ian) consume is going to be much more difficult. We're open to any & all shared experiences with egg allergies! We want to know your tips, tricks, etc.
Aaron will also now be taking Singulair in addition to his pulmicort and hopefully it will be a miracle-cure for you sweet boy! If I am tired of him being sick, he must be really tired of it!
The whole reason we ended up at the Allergist's office today was Aaron's near constant congestion and coughing. At first, his pediatrician was willing to dismiss it as asthma caused by respiratory illnesses. Well, I believe that is true in certain instances (he's been sick about 10 times in the last year or so), but I didn't really believe it wholesale. Many times Aaron has been the only one who was "sick." Nobody else got the "virus" that was causing all of Aaron's breathing troubles, not even Ian...and keeping those kids from sharing germs is impossible.
On Monday, while at the pediatrician for yet another episode of bronchiolitis, I asked if Aaron should be tested for allergies. His pediatrician agreed that perhaps Aaron did have an allergic cause for some of these respiratory problems.
So today, Aaron was tested for a bunch of different things. He didn't seem to mind the test at all, in fact he was really good the entire time.
AIf you notice, the 2 hives on the bottom left... those are Dust Mites. The egg allergy was a much more mild reaction than dust mites, but it is the top dot in the 3rd column.
Eggs??? REALLY?? I'm shocked! Although Aaron never eats eggs outright (scrambled or whatever, he doesn't like them), of course he eats things with egg in them all the time. His doctor said that it is obviously not an anaphylactic allergy to eggs, he is certain now that is what is causing Aaron's rampant eczema. (So I asked about Ian & my dad because they both have bad eczema too, and the allergist replied, "I bet you they have an egg allergy. Allergies & eczema run in families.") Intersting tibit- Ian & Aaron have never really liked eggs. Often when a child has a strong aversion to a food it is because he is allergic or sensitive to it!
Super!
So we have some work to do to cut down on Aaron's exposure to dust mite dander & eggs. Dust mites is going to be the easier of the two allergies to handle, and is the most probable cause for any allergic breathing problems Aaron has. We already don't have carpet and he sleeps on a crib mattress, which is not dust-mite harboring), his linens are washed regularly, not too many other cloth things in his bedroom, etc.
Reducing the amount of egg & egg products Aaron (& Ian) consume is going to be much more difficult. We're open to any & all shared experiences with egg allergies! We want to know your tips, tricks, etc.
Aaron will also now be taking Singulair in addition to his pulmicort and hopefully it will be a miracle-cure for you sweet boy! If I am tired of him being sick, he must be really tired of it!
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