I have three kids, my 10 year old son is allergic to milk (anaphylaxis) and my 4 year old son is allergic to eggs(anaphylaxis)but we avoid milk, eggs, peanut, fish and shellfish will all thee. My daughter (6) is sensitive to milk. My boys are super sensitive to milk and eggs and can even react to items (toys, clothes..ect) that have had contact with there allergens. (Crazy right...but true LOL) I'm looking for other families with children around the same age and with similar allergies so that my kids don't feel so alone. Getting together for playgroups and such. I just thought I'd start a topic to see who else out there has the same issues. 

We definitely have this issue with our daughter. She’s 15 months, and we can’t leave the house without her epi pen. She’ll go into anaphylactic shock from milk, eggs, rye, peas, green beans, cocoa, ect... There seems to be more added to the list every other week. How do you handle it when they get bigger??? I’m new at this and it’s just so frustrating. I don’t know what I’m gonna do when it’s time for her to start school! She doesn’t have to eat the allergen either, just touching something that has traces of it will cause her to get hives and start swelling up. I almost had to use her epi pen a few weeks ago when her 3 year old cousin came over. Turns out she had eaten an egg sandwich and hadn’t washed her hands before playing with the same toys. Restaurants are out, and we can’t even take her to certain friends/family members homes because she’ll have a reaction within minutes of walking in. We’re on our 3rd allergist already and still no answers. I had never even heard of this before she was born. How do you handle it? 

I can completely understand everything you said. My son reacts in Hotels, Grocery stores, from anything he touches with traces or is airborne. We cant even go into my sisters house because he reacts so going anywhere is terrifying and keeps us home a lot. I happen to be lucky and home school my children so school isn't an issue but I have known others who have had no choice but to put there kids in school with food allergies, its certainly a scarry thought. Its very frustrating and even with older kids it still worries me. My son is 10 and soon will become a teen and friends and girls will be an issue so I'm even afraid to think about those days. I have had to have "a talk" with my friends and family so that when they come to visit or we go there, there's rules in place(example..if its there place they have to clean like the house was covered with raw chicken LOL). Explaining to people the risk and the importance of hand washing and even bringing an extra shirt with them to change into can save our children a lot of trouble. I even fear others coming over to my house..LOL and don't get me started with babies and formula... My son reacts to the airborne particles that the milk produces. Lotions, shampoo, conditioner, makeup and other things people put on themselves also cause us concern. I have my family refrain from squeezing or kissing cheeks until they have washed there hands or mouth..a bit extreme some think but when your kid leaves someones house and they have put forth extra efforts and precautions and your child leaves healthy and happy then its all worth it. Family settings are easier to control, now birthday parties, potlucks, family reunion ect..always freak me out. I tend to avoid most. Especially now..the more my son is exposed the faster he reacts each time. Its a struggle and my oldest still asks why he cant eat milk like others and asks me how it tastes like. I'M still trying to figure out how to deal with it but its just a day by day thing. Please keep in touch and if there's anything I can do or help you out with please let me know. 

Wow, I'm so blessed to not have to deal with this issue. I wish you both the best of luck and know that I'm praying for you. :(( 

I’ve had the hardest time getting some people to understand the hand-washing thing. Like after thanksgiving dinner my husband asked his family to wash their hands before touching the baby. They get so offended like we’re telling them they’re dirty people. I’m sure if they ever witnessed one of her reactions they would understand quite fast... but I’m all about prevention. I know exactly what you mean about each reaction getting worse. My daughters first reaction was just hives, now within minutes she is wheezing with a swollen face. I used to work on the ambulance but have become a stay at home mom because of this. Daycare would be out of the question. I was hoping she would outgrow it and be able to go to school someday, but it’s looking like we’re gonna have to consider home schooling her as well. I love being able to stay home with her, but I’d like her to have friends someday too. What do you think about Zyrtec for food allergies??? My daughter had to be put on it because she was becoming allergic to things that were once okay. Her diet is so limited and for example she had eaten green beans a few days in a row no problem, then all of the sudden had a horrible reaction and had to be put in the hospital. Even where she drooled it had eaten her skin like acid. I don’t understand it, she had eaten them with no reaction for months. Ugh, I don’t know what to do about it and hate giving her medicine everyday since she is still so young. We stay home a lot too, it’s just not worth the risk. We have a select few family members and friends that go out of their way for her safety, but it’s been a lot more difficult than I ever imagined. It’s definitely nice to know I’m not the only one dealing with this... I can’t imagine having 3 kids going through it! Here’s my e-mail if you’d like to keep in touch :) souvie0813@yahoo.com Oh, and thank you Jennifer for the prayers! 

Hand washing has always a struggle with friends and family..the reason my family has come around is because they caused my oldest a few reactions and then they felt badly, guilt made them wash there hands I guess. But before that it was me pumping my child full of benadryl before a visit and spring cleaning there house upon arrival while my son sat on a little blanket I brought for him so he can sit on there couch. As you can imagine that gets really old quickly so Im glad my family has finally started trying after 10 years. LOL From what I was told Zyrtec for food allergies is pretty much not a real treatment it wont prevent a reaction or stop a reaction, what did they tell you? If mine react of course its 911 epipen and benadryl and then ER are the way I was explained it. ;^) Were you told that? Now for outdoor allergens and irritations Zyrtec is wonderful. (I make sure that before I buy anything food, meds, etc it has a phone number so I can double check..LOL) My kids have taken Zyrtec daily for years and its been said to be very safe (that's just my opinion and I'm not doctor so don't quote me ;^)) but from trial it works for the sneezing and runny nose stuff. I have had to ask the allergist what to do if my kids take Zyrtec and have a reaction and they have informed me that if a reaction happens I must give them benadryl. Has it ever worked in that situation for you? I'm terrified to give my children new foods because who knows they might react and I have been blessed to not have them react to a food that I have already repeatedly given them, but that would be unbelievable hard to have to deal with. I have gone threw lots of friends too, people (as kind or wonderful as they think they are, not that there not) tend to only have a tolerance for there friends situation for a certain period of time. I have gotten so many excuses but off the top of my head there was one of our friends that just had to say "I just cant deal with this" thankfully it was honest. Food is always a part of our gatherings, get together, parties or just having someone over for dinner and people as understanding as they might be tend to realize that they cant eat what they want. And as I have found family included food is very VERY important to people. But that's fine those are the people that I don't want in our life anyway. ;^) I know I'M rambling..ha ha and that OK because knowing that your not alone and you have someone to talk to that understand is a great thing. Oh this was a long email, sorry..LOL My email address is erd2575@hotmail.com also I was wondering if you have myspace? And to Jennifer thank you so much for prayers and comment...its nice to have others read this and maybe understand a bit about it.. 

I hope I didnt sound harsh when it came to those Ive know. Not all react that way and most people try very hard. Its a true blessing when that happens and it does happen a lot. Food allergies turn our world upside down, I cant imagine what it might be like for others. 

I don't think you sounded harsh at all, it was just honesty. Some people don't understand and I'm sure it's hard for people especially when it's not your kiddo and you haven't seen the results first hand. I had heard about these things before having my daughter, even when they told me she had allergies... I didn't quite realize what a big deal it is. That and all the things she's now missing out on. It's little things like not getting cake on her first birthday... but they add up. Then all the little stresses.. Like what if she touched something or got ahold of something I didn't see... and I don't realize she is having a reaction in time. A lot of people do try, but it is hurtful when some will not. I can't imagine how I'd feel if someone flat out old me "I just can't deal with this" It goes without saying that not all people act like that, but it really stands out when they do. Don't feel bad!