Allergies

Many of you know that we found out that Landon was allergic to eggs and peanuts as a baby.  Yes, that is awfully young to find out about allergies, but he broke out in hives one day.  I rushed him to our doctor on base. I had no clue what was going on.  He woke up from his nap covered in hives.  She informed us that he was having an allergic reaction and got him into an allergy doctor the next day.  Since Landon was so young, they did blood tests for the 5 Most Common Allergies:  Milk, Eggs, Wheat, Peanuts, and Soy.  His Doctor called back a week later and said he was highly allergic to Eggs and Peanuts and mildly allergic to milk.  His formula was changed and we were given an EpiPen, just in case.

At that time, the eggs and peanuts were not a huge deal.  He wasn't eating table foods yet and he had no clue all the delicious food that he was missing out on.  After he turned one, the real troubles began.  He was constantly breaking out in hives and his eczema was uncontrollable.  We were truly realizing that eggs are in everything!!!  We were VERY CAREFUL and CAUTIOUS and read all labels on foods.  However, Landon was still breaking out in HIVES!

Landon turned 3 in January and his Doctor decided to do skin tests.  He was still breaking out at random times and we noticed it a lot more when we were at my parents house.  They basically live on a farm and have lots of dogs.  On one visit, one of the dogs licked him and he broke out in hives.  At this visit, we learned that he is still HIGHLY allergic to eggs, Peanuts were not as high as before, and he is allergic to pet dander, and ragweed.  We still let poor Landon pet dogs.  The poor boy LOVES dogs, but we wash his hands and face really good and he is given a bath as soon as we get home.

Over the past few days, the news is reporting about how 50% of people have a false positive to skin and blood tests.  Landon has 2 allergy doctors, and they have both said this.  But they do know that Landon is truly allergic, we have seen the HIVES!  At his age, it is dangerous to give him oral challenges to peanuts.  They are planning challenging him before he starts kindergarten.

My fear is that people who are not educated on allergies will see these reports and now downplay the seriousness of food allergies.  These allergies can be VERY LIFE THREATENING for many children.  Please, do not downplay how serious allergies can be.  I will give MAJOR PROPS to GMA!!  In their report, they stated how serious these allergies can be and demonstrated how to use an EpiPen.  Thank you, GMA for being thorough in your reporting.

For some reason, food allergies can bring out the ugly in people who believe it is over diagnosed. I am sure they do not have a child who is suffers from allergies and cries when other children are eating cornbread with their soup and he gets crackers!  So please, if you have a rude comment, do not post it here!  This post is about my experience with food allergies.

Egg Free Cupcakes

I am one happy momma!! I found a cake mix that does not require eggs and does not contain eggs in the mix!! I made cupcakes for the kids tonight. They both were missing daddy so much this week and this really brightened their week!! Landon's eyes got so big when I gave him the cupcake. At first he got his fork and would take bites out of the top of the cupcake. Then he started shoving it into his face. It was a like one year old digging into their smash cake on their birthday!! Of course my camera battery is dead!! If you have a child with allergies, check out Cherrybrook Kitchen. Also, you must try the new Pillsbury Easy Frost Icing!! It is the best thing since sliced bread!! I tried to find a picture, but was not sucesful. Basically it is the same concept as whip cream. Seriously, RUN to your local grocery store. And a little tip, stick the tip into the center of your cupcake and make a frosting center! I am off to enjoy my chocolate heaven!!

Have a great weekend!