Food allergy experts, come in please

sistrkate

I think Tyler may have a dairy allergy, but I don't really know for sure.  We haven't formally introduced dairy into his diet yet, but he's had sneaks of ice cream or yogurt here and there.

The first time I noticed anything was a few weeks ago when we went to Dairy Queen.  I gave him a couple little bites of ice cream out of my cone.  He loved it, of course.  We came home shortly afterwards and got the kids ready for bed, and he had hives on his face, on his arms, and one or two in the diaper area.  I thought maybe he'd been bitten by a mosquito or something.  We put some hydrocortisone on the hives and he slept fine that night, and they were gone by morning.

Yesterday, he was really fussy, so I decided to try some Yo Baby yogurt.  (Never had it before)  He didn't really want it, but he did eat a few bites off a baby spoon.  Within 5 minutes, he had reddish irritation around his mouth, like a clown smile.  It was gone within a half hour, but I was sure it was related to the yogurt.

Today, we went out to lunch.  He loves to play with straws, so I gave him mine.  He played with it and dropped it on the floor.  My nephew had a milkshake but it was gone, so I took his straw and sucked all the stuff out of it (so it wouldn't make a mess).  Within just a minute or two, his face was all red and he was scratching it like mad.

Does that sound like a food allergy?  Fortunately he has a 9-month well visit at the pedi tomorrow and I'm going to ask about it.  Just curious how I can maybe find out more about it, and what else we need to avoid.

FWIW, he is breast fed and seems to have no reaction to any dairy that I eat/drink.  I thought that was kind of odd.  If it was a true allergy, wouldn't he be sensitive to my diet too?

Missbollinger

It does sound like an allergy but it isn't clear if it is just the dairy/lactose/dairy protein OR in the case of the YoBaby and milkshake straw a flavoring allergy.  Mention it to your pediatrician and see what they suggest but I would avoid the dairy until then.

Miller238

That definitely sounds like an allergy to me.  I don't think the face would be itchy and red if it was just lactose intolerance.

I know with Katelyn, she reacted much more fiercely when she injested the dairy herself (via dairy-based formula) rather than when I would eat dairy and feed her.  His allergy could have possibly just started and that is why you haven't seen a reaction when you have nursed him in the past.  Definitely bring it up at your appt! 

sprads

I don't know that I would call myself an expert, but I am experienced at least.

From what I have been told, hives is a step down from anaphylaxis so I would definitely bring it up to your pedi.

As far as not being sensitive to your diet, it may be he has a slight allergy so you don't see symptoms, or at least the same symptoms, from your milk. The best way to be able to tell if he is reacting to your diet is to keep a food / behavior / symptom log. Each day log what you eat (& time) and also record things like gassy, uspet tummy, grumpy, fussy....all of which can be symptoms to a lesser degree.

GOOD LUCK!

sprads

Miller238:

His allergy could have possibly just started and that is why you haven't seen a reaction when you have nursed him in the past.  

Good point. Brooke didn't show outward symptoms until she was about Tyler's age.