A co-worker of mine, Greg.. found an interesting article by Gregg Easterbrook – sports columnist for espn.com about use of sanitizing hand wipes.. here’s the posting:

“Use of hand wipes is proliferating, owing to concerns regarding swine flu and general germ-o-phobia. The Centers for Disease Control warn that outside the hospital setting, disinfectant wipes have no demonstrated health benefit and may backfire by increasing bacteria resistance mutations while retarding the maturation of immune cells.

Immune-system maturation is triggered via contact with antigens, including the vast number of “commensal” microbes that cause no harm. Kill the harmless bugs with sanitizers, and immune system development may be hindered — leading to “a greater chance of allergies in children,” the CDC cautions. What do we observe in the period that sanitizing hand wipes have proliferated? Claims of ever-higher allergies in children.”

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Some people can experience symptoms if someone opens up just a bag of peanuts, or if they sit across from someone eating peanuts, and when they are way up in the sky.. they can’t just escape right away unless they land the plane.

Before you book your flight talk to someone working  with the airlines to find out how they will accommodate your allergy.  If the airline serves peanuts they could declare  “peanut free” during the flight, the attendants would make an annoucement to let passengers know there is someone allergic to peanuts on board.  Air Tran and US Airways no longer serve peanuts, but still call ahead and let someone know,  to make sure other passengers are warned.  When you board the plane, stop before you take your sit and chat with  the flight attendant about this, so they can let everyone on board aware of this. 

Keep in mind,  not everyone is allergic to peanuts or even comprehends how serious eating peanuts infront of you can be, so some passengers may still bring their own peanuts to snack on…so don’t make any assumptions, protect yourself.

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Milk -  for drinking  Soy milk ( soy Vanilla flavor is a hit in my home ) , rice dreams, for baking and cooking try coconut milk 

Cereal - plain Cheerios , Multigrain cheeerios, rice krispies, i think corn puffs- it has been a while since i bought the corn base cereals.. but they do have some, rice cereal and oatmeal for babies.

Meals - Rice, pasta – Tinkyada rice pastas are allergy free, potatoes ( mashed, fried, baked), french fries ( watch out some fast food chains add wheat, or whey)  The Oreida brand from Sam’s club is milk free and egg free, sweet potatoes ( bake them or boil them),  carrots, meats, for meat balls  make your own,  hot dogs, soy butter/ jelly sandwiches ( sarah lee honey wheat  bread is dairy free) ,  corn on the cob, tater tots (Oreida brand), harsh browns, vegetables.

Snacks - soy icecream, frozen lemonades,  fruits, honey maid graham crackers ( dairy free), orio cookies ( some are dairy free but contain soy),  enjoy life cookies are allergy free, home made muffins and cupcakes, potato chips – classic lays,  some totilla chips, fritos, kettle popcorn with butter ( dairy free- they use palm oil)

For Nuts -  use raisins or dried cranberries

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Tue, Mar 17, 2009 (HealthDay News) — Researchers analyzing a survey on food sensitivities have found that black male children may have a greater risk of having a food allergy.

The national survey included 8,203 people, from infants to seniors, who tested positive for the allergen antibody linked to possible issues with eggs, milk, peanuts and shrimp. The sensitivity levels to these potential food allergens was then tested in all participants.

Based on their analysis, the researchers estimated that 2.55 percent of the general population has food allergies, most often to shrimp and peanuts. But they found that the odds were much greater among blacks, males and children — especially young black boys.

Males and children had nearly twice the risk for food allergy as others, blacks had triple the risk, and black children were four times more likely to have food allergies.

When looking at having just a sensitivity, rather than a more serious allergy, to foods, the most likely to have sensitivities were children, males, non-Hispanic blacks and people of lower income. About 17 percent had food sensitivities, the study found, with about 4 percent sensitive to eggs, 6 percent to shrimp or milk and 8 percent to peanuts.

The study was to be presented in Washington, D.C., at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology’s annual meeting.

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Today i am just talking food allergies. I have to remind myself, so i don’t forget  or get too comfortable. Julian is allergic to Milk ( cow’s), eggs, peanuts and tree nuts ( walnuts, cashews) , and fish ( Tilapia).   He used to be allergic to wheat and soy as well, but he outgrew by age 2. We have  had several months now so far where he has not been exposed to any of the allergens above, and it is a relief.

So i can  come here and tell you, yes you can help your child , friend, or family member  avoid exposure. I don’t dwell on what he can’t eat, instead i have used that time to find what he CAN eat. The way i see it, some of the foods above he has no idea what they taste like, so he really isn’t missing out. How can you miss out something you don’t have a clue  what it tastes like? Don’t feel too guilty that they can’t have that either there is a whole lot of alternatives out there. 

So yif you have been invited to a  birthday party, bake an allergy free cake at home and take it with you so your little one can have a piece at the party. Gluten free pantry have cake mixes that are allergy free. If your baby can have wheat, some of the Duncan Hines mixes are milk free we use the lemon cake mix for Julian. As far as snacks, There’s plenty of choices out there you just have to pick your favorites.  So there are a lot of choices out there, you just have to look.

I know i have talked about this in my other posting, but.. READ LABELS. We are in a country where Federal labelling law is in place. With this law, manufaturers have to say in plain English pretty much what allergens are contained in their products. Look at the product labels before you purchase. Know the  other names of your allergens like  for instance Milk = whey, caseine . Eggs = albumen, globulin etc.   If your child has been diagnosed with food allergies, your allergist will give you this list as well, if not ask.

What irritates me is those warnings ” This product was produced in a facility that also packages milk, or peanuts, or nuts…”, or ” shared same equipment”  or ” may contain “  They can be really vague.  It can be frustrating too. As a consumer you wish they can just come out and say it… My advice though… If your child is highly allergic to the foods mentioned in those precautionary statements, i would put that product down. You just never know.. It may really not contain the allergen, but again, it MAY contain the allergen and you do not want to take that risk.

I would lie to you, if i said i have never done it. I have, but everytime my son would take a bite, my tummy would be doing flip flops and my hands sweating, so why try to give myself a heart attack on this… The point is, adhere to the warnings so just stay away.  Also make sure you  have your antihistamines ( Benadryl, Epipen) close by so you can reverse a reaction. 

Bottom line, we can only do our part..too bad, but  exposures will happen. People eat foods and never knew contained the allergens. People find out for the first time they are allergic to something, even worse kids get into each other’s foods or snacks and get a reaction. It is the preparations that we have done that can make those times bearable. So do you have a prescription Epipen? Fill that prescription and carry that with you at all times, and always get a refill after using your current Epipen. Have Benadryl at home for some of the not so severe reactions and follow dosage recommendations. If your child is in a daycare facility, make sure you have an extra bottle of Benadryl and a dropper  there, and Epipen for him in his diaper bag or  for storage in  their first aid kit for your child. Get a marker and write on that Benadryl box the dosage  that they should  give  your child should a reaction occur. Please make sure the care givers know how to use the Epipen.. take time to teach everyone you live your child with how to use it, have them demonstrate, so you are sure they can administer it when that time comes.  Pay attention to the expiration dates on  the medications, i have a bunch of Epipens that have expired, i will be taking them to the allergist  for disposal on our next check up.

All this  may seem logical or common sense  to you, but we get soo carried away  and we forget. So i hope you get your little one or yourself safe…Don’t eat it, if it makes you sick , please.

Stay safe!

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There is a difference between  having a food allergy and having a food intolerance.  When i tell people that Julian has food allergies, anytime i mention milk , they ask me if he is lactoce intolerant, so i always say no, he has a milk allergy. 

food intolerance  occurs when the body lacks an enzyme to digest proteins in a specific food.  An intolerance can cause some of the same symptoms caused by food allergies and never life threatening . An allergy on the other hand involves your entire immune system and can be life threatening.

Symptoms of food intolerance can be see upto 6 hours after eating the specific food. With a food allergy, it can be a matter of seconds or upto 2 hours after eating the food.

So here is how you can distinguish between the two.

Food Intolerance symptoms are :
-Upset stomach
-Gas and bloating
-Abdominal cramps
-Vomiting
-Diarrhea

Food Allergy symptoms are :
-Skin redness and itching
-Rashes or hives
-Red, watery eyes
-Nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing
-Vomiting
-Diarrhea
-Swelling of the lips, face, or throat
-Wheezing
-Severe breathing difficulty
-Loss of consciousness

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According to the CDC, here’s what you should know about the  novel H1N1  or  swine flu virus.

It is contagious and can spread from one  person to another  through coughing or sneezing by an infected person.

one may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems and in people infected with the new H1N1 virus.

The symptoms of novel H1N1 / swine flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus

Also, CNN posted this  ”A vaccine against H1N1 is being tested but is not expected to be available until at least mid-October and will probably require two shots at least one week apart, health officials have said. Since it typically takes a couple of weeks for a person’s immunity to build up after the vaccine, most Americans would not be protected until sometime in November”

CDC recommended  to take these steps to protect yourself

-Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
-Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners* are also effective.
-Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
-Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
-If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.
- Also get your over counter supplies that way you do not have to run into the stores when you do get sick.

In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish or gray skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Severe or persistent vomiting
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

for more about the swine flu visit : http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/qa.htm

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Eczema (also called atopic dermatitis), is a skin rash that often appears in the first years of life.  you will notice it on the  baby’s forehead, cheeks, and scalp, but could also spread to the arms, legs, chest, or other parts of the body.

This rash could look like dry, thickened, scaly skin, or it  can be made up of tiny red bumps that can blister, ooze, or get infected if scratched. Eczema  is very itchy, so scratching can be a pain in the neck.  So you want to put mittens on the baby’s hands , and always keep their nails short to prevent bleeding from scratching.

If the scratching gets really bad to the point the baby is not sleeping at all, then i would recommend getting hydrocortisone cream , usually an over the counter topical steroid .  You can get this from any  pharmacy or drug store . If this doesn’t help  talk to your Dr they may recommend a stronger steroid cream , normally Triamcilone. The doctor would give you a prescription to take to a pharmacy,  you would need to let the doctor know what emollient or cream you use daily . the pharmacy would then mix  that steroid in like aquophor or  the cream you had told the doctor… This actually does work pretty good. You use it 2x a day ( morning and night). The Steroid Triamcilone comes in different strenghths so it is safe for babies. Your Dr will prescribe accordingly.

You have to be careful though as to how much of the steroid creams , esp the OTC  (over the counter ) ones you are using as they can thin out the skin, and make it really red to the point if the baby scratches it would bleed easily. but overall they do help especially at night time for the really severe cases. They soothe the problem areas and curb the itch. I find it better to use what the Dr prescribes as it may be just the right strenghth for your child.

Eczema is not contagious.

No one really knows what causes eczema, but we do know that it is hereditory. If someone in the family has had it or had asthma or allergies then there is a high percentage for the baby to get it. It is not an allergic reaction to something, however it can be triggered with something in the child’s diet or mom’s diet if she is breastfeeding. Dairy, Wheat, soy, eggs can be cuprits. Also sudden changes of temperature – too hot, or too cold, irritants from chemicals in laundry or bathing soaps or lotions, or even wool can cause a flare up.

There isn’t really a cure for eczema . You can only manage it.

one key thing  is to really  moisturize, moisturize, and again moisturize the skin. People with Eczema tend to lose the natural moisture in the skin too fast. you always want to keep replenishing that as much as possible. When you give the baby a bath, do not leave them in the water for too long, this will dry out their skin.  Always moisturize immediately following a bath so you can lock in that moisture.  Moisturize with every diaper change. Try at  least 3x a day. Avoid soaps and lotions with perfumes.

Julian had really bad eczema, so bad that  during flare ups it was triggering his asthma. What worked for us was a combination of CeraVe cream and cleanser. The Cerave skin products do not dry out the skin. They lock in moisture and if you apply the cream, it will continue to work throughout the 24hr period. Julian is  3 years, has outgrown his eczema, but i kept using this products on him. They are truly that good! They are a bit pricey, but they were worth every penny.

During winter we bathed him every other day or some days we would skip even 2 days, and we would apply Cerave first then before bed we would apply a layer of aquophor. During summer with the heat so high Cerave cream alone was sufficient. Remember you do not wat them to bee too hot or too cold, this will cause a flare up of the eczema.

I would recommend only dressing them up in cotton, fabrics that allow the skin to breath. That is why wool makes the condition worse. Even if you don’t have skin issues when you wear wool and get hot , your skin gets itchy…so imagine if you were already itchy to begin with and are dressed up in wool.

The good news is, most kids do outgrow eczema by 2-5 years. Some  do take this to adulthood, but  again, it can be manageable.

There’s hope..hang in there!

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I get this question a lot when i tell people that we carry one for our son Julian.

An EpiPen is an auto-injector prescribed to patients with severe, life threatening allergies.  People who if they would encounter one of the allergens they would get anaphylaxis (life threatening reaction ).

An EpiPen buys you time to live. It buys you time to get the patient to the nearest hospital. Even if there is no longer a reaction, you are always suppose to go to the Emergency Room once an EpiPen has been injected. You typically inject it on the thigh of the patient and hold it for about 15-20 seconds for the medication to be absorbed.  The reason why you go to the hospital is there can be other side effects with it and doctors would have to monitor those levels.

The day we used the Epipen on Julian was for an allergen we did not even know he  had. His EpiPen was prescribed for Peanuts and Milk. my husband and i  were having dinner  at home. I had cooked Tilapia fish and cut a little piece and fed it to Julian. He didn’t even want it…he was such a picky eater, and always has been. What was mama to do, i fed  him anyway. all of a sudden i hear him gulping for breath, his throat started closing on him, and all i could hear is this sound as if he was chocking, but i knew he wasn’t cause that piece  i fed him was ‘mashed’ and he had already swallowed it.  Then he started swelling, i jumped off the table, shaking and screaming reached out for the EpiPen and i froze! I screamed to my husband … i have forgotten how to use the EpiPen..

He was calm, he took Julian and looked at me and said, you know how to use it, Do it, Sophia! I opened the case and took out the  top, and pulled his PJs and injected him on the thigh. I held it there more than 40sec…I know it worked because, all of a sudden he was breathing again, Of all the things he could have done at that moment … he didn’t, he just smiled and reached out for me. He could have cried, but he didn’t. We took his diaper bag, and the car keys and headed to the Children’s Mercy Urgent care. We took that used EpiPen with us and gave the attending Doctor to dispose.

They monitored him for about 2 hours , the entire time he was playing there, basically he was fine.

So I know the importance of EpiPens and the fact that they really do work.. They save lives.  I always have an Epipen in my purse. He has one in his diaper bag, and we have a pack of 2 at home in the medicine cabinet.

So anytime i read news on people dying because of exposure to allergies, i worry… I worry a lot because it can happen! You can lose people you love in a matter of seconds. No one in our immediate family has the food allergies that our son has.. maybe in earlier generations, but people didn’t keep that medical history. But what do we do now?

Educate , educate , always on the look out…. we never assume. We always double check ingredients on labels, we bring our own snacks and meals at times. We ask before we eat, and we always let  everyone around know what Julian can or cannot have. We do not leave him with just anyone, when we do…we know he is clear of exposure. He is 3 years old..we can control this because he is still under our care, when he starts school and grows up and he is on his own, we don’t know, but we hope we would have prepared him enough.

So, if someone ever tells you they are allergic to something, please help them avoid exposure, you can help them live little longer.

Stay Blessed!

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