Please help! Debate on food allergy and eczema

kbowman78

My 30m old son has eczema that has gradually gotten worse over his lifetime. He  had the Immunocap test done when he was 2 years old and it showed an allergic reaction to basically everything, with Level 2 or above for all foods except fish/shellfish. Then we were referred to an allergist who did skin prick testing and told us to avoid wheat, soy, peanuts and tree nuts. He also is allergic to dogs and horses. We went on the food avoidance diet and really have seen no improvement in his eczema.

We consulted another allergist who told us there is no point in eliminating wheat and soy if it does not make a difference in his eczema and suggested we re-introduce those foods. We do know the peanut allergy is severe b/c of a prior reaction.

I am really struggling with what to do. Something doesn't feel right about feeding him wheat and soy if he is getting positive skin prick tests with these, but I would love to be able to feed him this stuff because he is very picky and it would broaden his diet if I could include these foods. Any similar experiences? Thanks in advance

luvmagoldn

If you haven't seen any improvement I would probably try adding those foods back in.  DS#3 tested positive for soy but has never reacted so we have kept him on it with no problems.  And broadening the diet when you can is important so I would give it a try.

Louise06

Could he be getting exposed to some of these allergens through soaps, shampoos, fabric softeners? I have a corn allergy and have found many products have corn in them. The fabric softener I use does contain soy. Is he exposed to playdoh or come into contact with people who recently consumed these allergens and are touching him?

ournaturaljourney

The eczema and food allergies could be completely unrelated, so I don't think that a lack of improvement with his eczema is a reason to start him on wheat and soy.

Our son has eczema but he doesn't have any food allergies. We avoid eating wheat and soy anyway because of the negative health effects associated with eating those foods.

If your son has tested positive for allergies to soy and wheat, I certainly would not give them to him. There are many ways that wheat and soy can act like a poison to the body and not all of them are obvious to the naked eye. If he is reacting to it on his skin, he is probably reacting to it internally as well.

the_jackpot

I say give it a try. My son has had positive skin test results for 2 things that have NEVER given him any issues. So we continue to feed him these things. I 

terri_doula2010

If he has a level 3 or above allergy to wheat and soy, I would NOT add it back in, even if it isn't causing anything you can tell.

I would worry about what it is doing inside his body, like his gut or something he can't tell you about.

erinlovesdavid

ournaturaljourney:

The eczema and food allergies could be completely unrelated, so I don't think that a lack of improvement with his eczema is a reason to start him on wheat and soy.

This is what I was going to say!