My sister (over 30) was diagnosed with GERD and refuses to take her Prilosec. She has GERD appropriate reactions to peanuts and chocolate but insists that she is allergic and lives in fear or eating or coming in contact with them. She also had an adverse reaction to something and now believes she is allergic to eggs. She has never been diagnosed with these or any food allergies and all her symptoms are consistant with GERD. How do I help her be more logical about this?
Additional clarification. I believe that she is right to avoid foods that bother her. I have the same problems and I avoid problem foods but also take Zantac. But she doesn’t just avoid the foods, she is paranoid of them. And I really do not believe that it was the eggs that bothered her but something else that she had with the meal.

I encourage you to beware of professed doctors who give statements (e.g. "Prilosec is a dangerous drug. It is well documented that its use can lead to vitamin and mineral malasorption, intestinal dysbiosis and even a ‘leaky gut syndrome’. " ) without any proof of where this "well known" data comes from. These people will often make up statements like this in order to prove a point instead of trying to really help people.

While it is fine for your sister to avoid foods that exacerbate her gastric reflux, it does not mean she is allergic to them. At the same time, if she doesn’t want to take the Prilosec, that is her decision too. If she is truly "living in fear" of coming in contact with these agents then something more serious is going on and she should probably go see a psychologist to see if they can help her get to the root of her problems. I don’t think the GERD itself is the most serious thing going on here.

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What are food allergies? What are typical symptoms? What is an exercise-induced allergy? Dr. Karen DeMuth, Emory University, answers these and other questions.

Background
Dr. Karen DeMuth is Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Emory University School of Medicine, Emory University. She is also a pediatric allergy specialist at Emory-Children’s Center.

Related Links

Allergies in Children (Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta)

http://www.choa.org/default.aspx?id=6730

Karen DeMuth BSN, MD (Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta)
http://www.choa.org/findadoctor/Details.aspx?phyid=D22R0ZCG4X

Duration : 0:3:52

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Our 14 month old son had some type of allergic reaction last Saturday. We gave him a cracker with peanut butter on it (first time he’d ever had it) and he wouldn’t eat it. Within five minutes of touching it, his face was red and he had hives. He did not have any other symptoms, so we washed him off and gave him some Zyrtec. His face returned to its normal color and the hives went down. On Sunday, the hives were back and he had a diaper rash (he’s never had diaper rash before), with no other symptoms. We called his pediatrician on Monday, and they got him in on Tuesday. They gave him a dose of oral steroids and said this would calm everything down. They also diagnosed him with a peanut allergy, prescribed an epi-pen, and referred him to Children’s Mercy for allergy testing. Today is Thursday and his hives are still present and seem to be getting worse. When I called the doctor’s office, they didn’t seem too worried and told me to just give it a day or two, that the hives would go down. My husband and I are racking our brains trying to figure out what is going on. We go for testing tomorrow, but now we’re wondering if its a peanut allergy or if its something else. He just started eating a new kind of ham this weekend as well. It has honey in it. Has anyone ever heard of a honey allergy? Does anyone have any suggestions on what this could be? Thanks for your help! : )

he has peanut allergy and ate a peanut

8% chance of survival

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Onespot Allergy Founder, Elizabeth Goldenberg, shares tips on living safely with food allergies. This video explains the importance of wearing an EpiPen belt or holder to help with food allergy and anaphylaxis.

Duration : 0:3:31

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Onespot Allergy Founder, Elizabeth Goldenberg, shares tips for living safely with food allergy. This video explains how to avoid accidental exposure to food allergens.

Duration : 0:4:31

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I have been searching for answers for my 2.5 yr old’s sleeping problems since he was about 4 wks old. For the first 7 months, he was waking every 45 minutes around the clock and was unsoothable with just nursing. I had to rock him, bounce him, nurse him, etc. over and over again until he fell back to sleep. We only had one doctor who considered it "abnormal" and that doc did an upper GI for reflux. They just said that he would grow out of it.

Well, now he’s 2.5 yrs old and still stirs at night every hour or so. I know this, because I’ve watched him sleep. He is difficult to put to sleep (it takes hours at night, sometimes) and will sleep restlessly all night long. If we cosleep, he bites me, kicks me, pulls my hair, yells and cries in his sleep…all night. This just doesn’t seem normal to me.

What have we tried?

Homeopathy
allergy panels (he doesn’t eat dairy, eggs, peanuts, or soy…no other allergies)
Cry-it-out (tried this for months…it only taught him to not wake me when he woke up…I stopped this eventually, bc it didn’t work)
Reflux meds
A number of other things that I can’t remember off-hand. Trust me, though, that I have tried everything obvious.

So, my mind wandered to thyroid dysfunction. He is a very hyperactive child…not on meds, of course…and we have some behavior problems with him, as well. His nighttime restlessness struck me as a potential symptom. Are there any other things that I should look for? Anyone ELSE who has experience with a CHILD this small with hyperthyroidism?

I don’t think so, based off of what you just described. But, first let me say I am not a Doctor in the least and don’t pretend to be. However, I found the question interesting cause my infant son when he was about 2 months old was thought to have congenital hyperthyroidism. As you have probably already done, I read constantly about the disorder.

Here is why I don’t think so based on what you have said thus far.

1. Usually with Congenital Hyperthyroidism a child will sleep excessively.
2. Other things to watch for is an enlarge tongue.
3. Low body temperature.
4. Infrequent bowels.
5. Poor muscle tone or lethargic
6. Infrequent nursing or eating.
7. Large anterior fontanel and presistant posterior fontanel.

Of course all these can be completely unrelated, so be careful playing the symptom game. One way to be sure is to have your son test for TSH. However, most infants are tested with in the first 2 to 3 days after birth and your physician should have record of this.

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From Washington – According to research presented to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, oral immunotherapy may be effective against peanut allergy. In a study of 39 children, researchers found that 55% of those who received long-term, steady exposure to small quantities of peanuts are now able to eat peanut products daily. The study is still in its early stages.

From North Carolina – According to a study in the journal Respiratory Research, genetic variation may explain why some smokers develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and others do not. In a study of 880 smokers, researchers found that five variants in a certain gene were significantly associated with COPD. This may explain why 90% of COPD is linked to smoking, but only 25% of smokers develop it.

And finally, from Florida – According to research presented to the American Heart Association, sitting in traffic may increase the risk of heart attack. In a study of over 1,400 cases, researchers found that those who suffered a heart attack were over three times as likely to have been sitting in traffic within an hour of the onset of symptoms. The researchers suspect that air pollution and stress are the major factors.

For Insidermedicine in 60, I’m Dr. Kelly Schweitzer.

Duration : 0:1:44

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My son (who’s now 1) has had eczema since birth and is being exclusively breastfed. At about 4 months, we decided to try getting him used to formula for those ‘incase of’ situations and tried some soy formula, which he drank without a problem but seemed very gassy after, so we stopped. A few weeks later, we tried again, this time with milk-based formula, and no sooner had he swallowed 2 drops, his face and lips swelled up and his eczema flared up. We called his pediatrician at once, and since my son didn’t seem to have any trouble breathing, the ped said to give him Benadryl and bring him in the next day.

The next day, his ped. said that it was most likely a cow’s milk protein allergy which is related to the eczema, and to try him on Nutramigen or Soy. I was a bit paranoid, so I ended up waiting another month or so and when we finally tried again, he absolutely refused to drink either. So I gave up and stuck to exclusive breast feeding. We have been meticulous about checking ingredients before starting him on solids to make sure nothing contains dairy. Most baby food doesn’t, and since most babies start eating dairy and drinking cows milk after 1, I wasn’t too worried about his dairy intake, or lack of.

We’re currently in Toronto, and we’re waiting for his regular insurance to kick in before taking him to a ped for his check-up. (He does have emergency insurance so if we need to take him in quickly for any reason, we can.)

So while I wait to get his appointment, I just had a few questions for parents out there in similar situations. I’ve been wondering a lot about his allergy and doing a lot of reading and research about it, and since he’s turned 1, I’m curious to understand how to expand his diet while dealing with the allergy.

a) I tried cutting out dairy but that never caused any real change in his eczema. Nor did dairy in breastmilk seem to worsen or increase the number of symptoms. Infact his only symptoms seem to have been the eczema; he has never been terribly gassy or crampy or colicky. Nor has he ever had bloody stools or diarrhea after breastfeeding.

As I understand, a swollen face and lips is a very very severe reaction so I can’t seem to understand why that’s the only reaction he’s ever had. If he has been exposed to dairy from breastmilk, how come I have never seen any other symptoms then?

b) I’ve noticed his eczema has reduced a whole lot lately, and I am wondering if he is growing out of his allergy. I am terrified to try anything with even a bit of dairy although some people say trying skim milk or butter (since the milk protein is modified) would maybe be safe.
I don’t mind a dairy-free diet but he is a year old and only 18.7 pounds and I know a bit of dairy would help him gain weight. He seems to be hitting all his milestones and is attentive and playful and very active but I worry he is not getting enough fat/protein. Anyone have any suggestions on safe foods for him? I plan to get him tested once I get his appointment, but till then I was wondering what to give him.

c)Is it safe to try giving him an egg yolk? I know egg is a major allergen. A doctor on a website mentioned that nut butters are safe for milk protein allergic children. But again, peanut is also a major allergen, so I’m not sure there. Do children with milk allergies end up being allergic to other foods? Would chicken be alright for him?

I apologize for such a rambling question, just had to get all my facts and questions in there!!

I’d really appreciate it if moms and dads out there would share their experiences with me. Thanks so much.

The dairy from breastmilk may not have been as strong depending upon how much you ate. My son got a reaction every time I ate dairy, he threw up and would throw up so bad there would be blood in it. That could be why you have never seen other symptoms. Usually they don’t grow out of these type of allergies for a few years, so I wouldn’t think he is growing out of it just yet. I would not try any sort of milk, skim or anything with him. My allergist told us to stay away from any and all dairy (including baby yogurt and such) and any and all eggs. Especially since skim wouldn’t do anything for a one year old anyways, it doesn’t contain the fats that they need. My son is a year old and 23 lbs, not too too far ahead of your baby. I wouldn’t worry about his weight unless the doctor expresses concern with you.

ETA: Make sure that you get him tested for the milk allergy, they are able to test for it. and they test for specific proteins too…

My son is on hypoallergenic formula as well and they are the nastiest tasting things ever, but for some reason (maybe he just likes to eat) he never had a problem taking it. He takes Alimentum, which is supposed to be worse tasting than Nutramigen.

I WOULD NOT TRY TO GIVE HIM EGG. Those two are very closely related in the allergy way and I would not. My son is deathly allergic to eggs, has a SEVERE protein intolerance with milk. Thank God no peanut allergy though. When you have his insurance, get him tested at the allergist but until then I would hold off on the egg. With egg whites my son swells up, hives head to toe and stops breathing. We carry an epi pen with us whenever we leave the house and know he will be around food. With egg yolks it takes about 15 minutes but he winds up with hives all over too. With dairy, he gets hives, he throws up, gets the runs, and has blood in his vomit and in stools.

You’re not rambling either! There’s ways that you can keep the baby’s diet nutritious where he will get the proper amount of nutrition. My email is Bree0217@ymail.com and I have a lot of info on both of these allergies if you would like to send me an email, I can send you some of my links. I even have a forum for these allergies.

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http://rawfoodswitch.com Find out why food allergies are on the rise… especially children food allergies like peanuts, nuts, soy, wheat, gluten, milk, and eggs. These allergies are more common than you think, find out the symptoms of allergies and what to do about them.

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if i eat raw tomatoes, hazelnuts (peanuts ok), mange tout, green beans (all washed thoroughly) i get an irritation in my throat as if i have something stuck there, but cooked seemed fine. However i am beginning to suspect that this may not be the case as I have been prone to severe bloating, stomach cramping and diarrhea after eating certain meals, I think the main culprits are tomatoes and sadly chillies i am going to eliminate them from my diet for a while to see if this improves but recently i have noticed that even as the first mouthful goes in a get a tickly itchiness on the tip of my nose/nostril. this happened about 5 mins ago as i stuffed a kit kat finger into my mouth but have also noticed it with other foods, this could be purely psychosomatic but… also i have developed eczema in the last year too. my doctor says that as i do not exhibit severe reactions then they will not refer me for food allergy testing. are these symptoms related or purely coincidental. what is the most reliable reasonably priced method of testing at home. I am UK based 42 year old male any other info needed just ask
interesting that you mention hayfever as i have suffered from this too since i was in my twenties

You say the food mainly bothers you when it is raw. What you have is probably oral allergy syndrome. It is linked to hay fever. You may also have an intolerance to some foods, because oral allergy syndrome does not cause bloating or diarrhea. Food allergy testing will not show up oral allergy syndrome or intolerances.
I used to be allergic to nearly all raw fruits and vegetables. Just getting the juice on my skin made me break out in a rash. I went to an allergist and had desensitization shots for my severe pollen allergies. After being on the shots for five years, my oral allergy syndrome went away. Now I can actually eat salad and watermelon.

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