I have been around allergy afflicted people my entire life. Both my dad and my brother suffer from allergies. As a kid my brother was pretty much allergic to everything! Lucky for him he has outgrown most, if not all of his allergies.
Well after Kieralee's scare two weekends ago (she went into anaphylactic shock) we decided we'd better take her in to see an allergist. I was really terrified because I remember what my brother went through as a kid and how painful it was. Thankfully the process has improved, but it still wasn't fun. 
Now they can test 8 allergens in one quick prick/scratch. For Kieralee they did 10 allergens and then 2 controls, so 12 spots total. The hard part was after they applied the test to her back I then had to keep her on her belly for 20 minutes. Now that may not sound like a lot, but when you have an enraged 2.5 year old screaming for her life and trying to claw her way free, 20 minutes is the longest time in the world! The nurse finally told me I could let her sit up as long as Kieralee didn't scratch the places on her back. Kieralee sat there, looking betrayed and asked me almost constantly "Can I scratch it? It hurts, Mommy!" I felt so mean telling her she couldn't scratch what must have itched so bad. After this wonderful form of torture I got to take her to get some blood drawn. Kieralee was so cute "I be tough, Mommy. I won't cry." She did pretty good for this part. She sat in my lap, watch the guy put the needle in her arm and then she let out a cried "Ouch!" and then continued to make a pitiful cry telling me that it hurt. Poor girl!
After it was all said and done Kieralee is allergic to tree nuts, cats and dogs. Tree nuts can be life threatening for her, which is a scary thought. So the doctor prescribe a few more epipens to have on hand. Cats and dogs (cats are worse) give her your usual symptoms, itchy eyes, itchy nose, stuffiness etc. So she has some nasal spray and she is suppose to take Zyrtec. She is also to have NO inside pets. I guess we won't be getting her that kitten she begs us for all the time.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Allergies
According to Mommydew at 10:49 AM
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9 comments:
I'm sure you already have this but just incase:http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/resourcespre.php?id=60
I'm no expert on how allergies work but I was under the impression that it is your bodies over reaction to something that isn't really harmful to it. I played a lot of sports and have been able to push my body and train my body to do many things. Why not train your body in how it reacts? I think the more control I got over my body in other ways, like through sports, helped me in getting my body to stop reacting the way it did when it came to allergies. Maybe I just lucked out and my body stopped it on its own. Either way there is proof that all because your body reacts a particular way now that doesn’t mean things can’t change. I’d lots rather try and take a proactive approach to it then just waiting around and hoping it changes.
I remember squirming for the allergy test and I was 10. I can't imagine it at 2. Props to the little one!
So do you have to get rid of your dog since she is allergic?
Luckily Jade is an outside dog! Also, since Kieralee has regular contact with Jade and the dander can't build up (because she stays outside) Kieralee seems to have become immune to Jade. Right now it would be more traumatising to get rid of Jade than it is in keeping her. Sadly, if things change and Kieralee starts to suffer because of the dog then yes, we will get rid of her.
yeah for not so many changes all at once! are you guys going to be in texas between Christmas and New Years? We are traveling down there and Kyle will be there then. we are flying though and will be in the Houston/Austin/San Antonio area. let us know!
Poor thing. That test is NOT fun. I had to go in twice because there was so much to test for...I was 7. In the end, there were only a couple of things I wasn't allergic to. Oh well. I'm impressed that she made it through without TOO much trouble, and I'm glad you don't have to get rid of Jade, that would be sad!
no bueno! that allergy stuff scares the pants off me. anaphylactic shock?! what did she eat? fox is going to be tested in a couple of weeks cos we suspect a milk allergy. after reading this, boy oh boy, i can't wait.
I'm so sorry Kieralee had to go through that! Grace had those test done a few weeks ago and so I know how terrible it is. Then her blood was stored improperly after the first time and she had to have the blood test again - I was so mad! I hope all the adjustments you have to make won't be too tough, and hopefully she doesn't start reacting to the dog!
wow, that really sucks. glad to hear she's not allergic to more things though - that is a huge fear of mine. what happened to send her into the a-shock?
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