Update on Ben's peanut allergy

So yesterday was Ben's scheduled appointment for the oral challenge for peanut at Sick Kids Hospital. They start the appointment by checking his vitals and then by administering a skin prick test for the allergen using an extract (as well as positive and negative controls).

Unfortunately we didn't get past the skin prick test as he had a strong positive response to the peanut extract. This is following a previous negative test to both the peanut extract and peanut butter in August. We don't know what to think. I've left a message with Ben's allergist's office to find out what we should do next: go into the office for a repeat test, wait 6 months (for what would be Ben's usual annual appointment), or wait 12 months.

To say we're disappointed, I suppose, would be an understatement. Despite knowing the test could go either way it's difficult to not hold out hope that this could be it and Ben wouldn't have to consider this allergy long-term. But, on a positive note, I would much rather find out without him having a terrible reaction. Not getting past the skin prick test, however, just feels like a step backwards, especially after months of waiting for the challenge date.

We were a bit blindsided by the allergist performing the skin test. I'd discussed the best way to mentally prepare Ben for the challenge with his allergist (the supervising allergist on duty at the Sick Kids allergy clinic the day of the challenge) at a previous appointment and he'd suggested to not get into detail until the result of the SPT at the challenge appointment - sounded like a great plan to me. If the result had been negative then we'd proceed and explain to Ben that he would eat a little bit of peanut. BUT the allergist performing the test had a different plan and told Ben while he was administering the scratch test that he would be eating peanuts. Ben immediately got upset and said he didn't want to, and so Nic and I were left trying to explain the situation to him -- and in the end all for nothing because he had a positive skin test anyway. Grr. (On a side note I will say that I am very impressed with my boy's adamant stance on not eating peanut. Such a smart boy.)

An all-around allergy update

Okay, so that isn't me, but it sums up how I feel about ##$$#@ allergies.

Let me start with Ben.

As I mentioned in a previous post he'd reacted to raw egg. I since brought him back to the allergist who didn't bother testing him with raw anyway. He feels based on Ben's recent history of consuming cooked egg that it's just a matter of time before he outgrows it completely and to keep going as we have been, i.e., keep offering him cooked egg and other forms that he's been fine with and avoid whole egg mayo and other raw forms, like whole egg eggnog (Ben's been fine with store-bought since it's egg yolks only). So that's good news. I hope. The allergist did advise me to bring along an egg to Ben's peanut challenge (even though I had one for his appointment) and he'd skin test him with it then.

And now Caitlin.

As I also mentioned in an earlier post Caitlin was tested for egg and peanut and tested negative for both. The allergist said we could introduce both foods anytime. We haven't intro'd peanut since we don't keep peanut in the house, but I have given Caitlin scrambled egg on two occassions and both times she reacted (redness and small hives on the chin). Today I was at the allergist for my own appointment (seasonal and pet allergies) and I mentioned Caitlin's reaction to egg, so he tested her with raw egg and she reacted. Not strongly, however, which indicates that this will be something she'll also outgrow. In the meantime he recommended we continue to challenge with egg at home. Caitlin has had quiche with no problems and some baked goods, so I suspect the scrambled wasn't as well cooked hence the reaction.

Man oh man, it sure would be easy if this allergy business were more straightforward.

As for me, I'm still allergic to cats and dogs, and have more seasonal allergies than before (throw in grass and a bunch of weeds). The allergist didn't recommend allergy shots and definitely didn't recommend we have cats or dogs as it could make my allergies worse to the point of asthma, and I definitely don't want that. So now I have to figure out what our family pet options are. Fish and birds just don't cut it.

Crap. Back to the allergist with Ben.

I'll have to make an appointment tomorrow. Despite Ben's negative egg test back when he was 2.5 yrs (with our former allergist who failed to test Ben with anything other than an extract, i.e., didn't perform a skin prick test with actual egg) he is still reacting to raw egg.

This morning this is what he looked like after sampling some cookie batter that contained one egg. The photo doesn't do a great job of capturing the hives (clicking the photo will show a slightly larger image), but I'd say there were about fifteen of them. I took his shirt off so I could watch and see if he developed any more, but fortunately it didn't spread beyond his face.

Great allergy news for Caitlin!

Since it's flu season, and the season of H1N1 no less, I wanted to determine whether or not it'd be safe to give Caitlin this season's flu shots and the deciding factor was whether or not Caitlin had an egg allergy. Ben had to opt out for a couple of years due to an egg allergy, and since Caitlin's at greater risk of food allergy because clearly it's in the family, I decided allergy testing prior to administration of a shot that could potentially cause anaphylaxis in an egg allergic person was the prudent route to take.

Anyway, after a brief chat with our new allergist (whom I looooove -- he's so awesome) we decided to go ahead and test for egg and peanut. I am ecstatic to report that Caitlin tested NEGATIVE to both! Woohoo!!!