How long for reaction?

la79al

As soon as our new insurance kicks in I am making an appointment for allergy testing but until then, I am trying to figure this out on my own.  I suspect a slight dairy allergy.  I try to avoid obvious dairy (cheese, yogurt, etc) but even skipping these, the eczema on her face came back.  It seemed like when we were doing things with milk as an ingredient, things were fine.  My question is, how long after I give her a food will I see an increase in the eczema?  And, perhaps more importantly, what should I do in the meantime?  I tend to give her whatever we are eating but should I go back to just baby food until we get the testing done?  The eczema is clearing up again now but was getting to the point where it bothered her again so I would love for it to be gone!

magdusia

Hi.. first of all i would start a food journal and write down how she reacted to everything that she ate.  

Do you BF? 

how long after I give her a food will I see an increase in the eczema? it depends on the severity of her allergy. My son would imminently get a rash on his face.  But if the allergy is mild it can take days to show up.

what should I do in the meantime? I would definitely avoid dairy and soy (if you think her reactions are to dairy, she has a 50% chance she also has an allergy to soy).  I think it all depends if you BF, if you do that you can eat it and feed her and see how she reacts - much safer than giving her direct food.  if you don't BF, i would not introduce Eggs, Milk, Soy, nuts, fish until you get her tested.

I tend to give her whatever we are eating but should I go back to just baby food until we get the testing done? i would cut back and just be cautious on what goes into her body.

also, if you suspect an allergy and you have no insurance -that is scary!  be very careful b/c a trip to the ER if your child is having an ana reaction is NOT cheap.  And that alone would make me want to avoid all top 8 allergens. 

vmm0016

magdusia-Great advice!

 

My girl is severly allergic to milk and also allergic to soy.  Watch out for crosscontamination.  I am guilty of this.  Keira is allergic to nuts and I gave her trail mix and picked out the nuts.  She had no reaction so I thought we were good.  Two weeks later I noticed her scratching and breaking out in small hives.  Well, it was from the trail mix.  So, it can take longer than a few days if your LO is slightly allergic to something.  Eating something over and over again builds up the reaction.