Chocolate Allergy

HisGirlCridey

Hey, everyone. I've been lurking here a bit and you all seem incredibly knowledgeable and in tune to your kids, so I have a question before my girls get here.

Long story short, at 8 weeks pregnant, I broke out into severe hives, welts, swelling, itchiness, etc. after eating two homemade devil's food cake cupcakes at Christmas. I was treated in the ER and by my OB, but it was traced back to the high cocoa content and I have not had any chocolate since the reaction. I also have not any instance of allergic reaction after abstaining from chocolate either. I have never had an allergic reaction to food prior to becoming pregnant.

I have a few questions that Google has been vague about or hasn't answered:

1. Is chocolate a common allergy and could this mean that my girls are allergic to it?

2. How early can I have an allergy panel run on my girls?

3. Will they send me home from the hospital with some form of allergy medication just in case for the girls? I don't even know what is out there for infants with allergies. I know the main issue will be closer to the time when they try solids and we plan on formula feeding, so allergens being passed through breast milk won't be an issue, but I'm curious as to what they send home with babies with a possible allergy profile.

Thank you so much.

magdusia

1. Is chocolate a common allergy and could this mean that my girls are allergic to it? Yes. I have seen a coco allergy a lot on the yahoo forums.  But that doesn't mean your girls are also allergic to it

2. How early can I have an allergy panel run on my girls? It depends on the doctor and the severity of allergy. On my recent trip to the allergist, i asked how soon can my second child (i'm pregnant) be tested if there are no symptoms.  My allergist said she can test as early as 2 weeks, but without symptoms she will not test before 6 months.

3. Will they send me home from the hospital with some form of allergy medication just in case for the girls? probably not until they are tested. But i would talk to your pedi and voice your concerns and i'm sure she can give you an epi pen just in case.  But i highly recommend buying childrens benadryl and asking your doctor for a dosage -just in case.  We didn't have benadryl in the house when my son had an ana reaction and i wish i did. 

I don't even know what is out there for infants with allergies. not much. You're not suppose to use many things.  Best thing is to avoid the top allergens (cows milk, soy, eggs, nuts...) in being near your child -she shouldn't have them for the first 4 - 6 months of her life anyways. -that's why most kids don't show reactions until they start eating solids. 

I know the main issue will be closer to the time when they try solids and we plan on formula feeding, Since you are formula feeding - you should just watch for signs.  Be prepared to change formula's if she starts reacting.

so allergens being passed through breast milk won't be an issue, but I'm curious as to what they send home with babies with a possible allergy profile. - i don't think there is anything.  But we were totally clueless about allergies since neither of us have allergies.  I think it's totally up to you to watch for signs and call your pedi as soon as you start seeing changes.

remember one thing -most kids react to an allergen on the second exposure. So just b/c she had cows milk formula the first time, doesn't mean she's not allergic.. it's usually on the second exposure.

hope that helps a bit.  But try not to worry since most likely it was just you reacting to coco -that doesn't mean your child will have a coco allergy.  At least you will watch for signs.