Allergy testing?

frecks2112

I think my LO has a milk (milk protein) sensitivity. I can drink/eat small amounts of milk and he's normally fine (still nursing), but if I have a lot, he gets very gassy (very hard stomach).  I know he's allergic to cinnamon, the first time I ever gave him any his face swelled and he had welts.

I called my pedi to ask for allergy testing. They said they don't do allergy testing on children before age 5. Given the conversations of this board, I think that I want to find out more.

I wonder if he truly has an allergy. As we consider increasing his table foods, we wanted to know whether to give soft chesese, yogurt, etc. Should I introduce these milk-based foods? OR insist on allergy testing before?

We do "gentleease" formula and he seems to do ok. BUT he currently has a bad rash on his face, this could be from drooling, BUT it could be eczema. HELP me figure this out.

magdusia

no allergy testing before 5? really?  You can just find an allergist yourself and go.  If you think your child is allergic to something -GO!  my son was 8 months old when he had his first test.  And i wish i followed my gut feeling, b/c than we wouldn't have to end up in the ER. Instead i listened to my Pedi and she kept saying he's fine.

I would think he's allergic to something since his face swelled up.  I would at least call an allergist and have a talk with her/him. Also, buy benadryl and have it in the house.

GL!

OrangeSmoke

Ditto PP.

You are going to want to get him tested before 1 because that's when they give them the MMR vacine which is EGG based.

 

Miller238

My daughter was tested at 3 months old (skin and blood).  Find a pediatric allergist and have him tested before giving him foods you think he is allergic to.

ehair

It could be a sensitivity.  My daughter has a confirmed sensitivity and we gets quite gassy when I eat any dairy - still EBF.  Find a homeopath - they can test for allergies and sensitivities without a scratch test.  It is totally painfree (they touch a wand thing on your LO) and they can test for food, chemicals, etc.  I would do an elimination diet or at least cut out all dairy/gluten. My homeopath is an MD also so you can go that route if it makes you feel better.  GL!

rle201

Your pediatrician can do a stool test to see if there is blood (specifically microscopic blood) in your baby's stool.  If it is positive, talk to your pediatrician about changing to soy or hypoallergenic formula.  Wait two weeks, and then retest.

According to 3 different pediatricians I've talked to, this is the easiest way to verify if there is a milk sensitivty/allergy.  Both of my sons are/were allergic to milk, and this is how we found out.

The good news is that most kids grow out of this one by the time they're 3.  DS#1 outgrew his by the time he was 2.  DS#1 will get retested in 6 month intervals.

Good luck!