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SeaStar
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| Posted: March 04 2008 at 5:36pm | IP Logged
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I know a lot of us are battling allergy issues. My dd can't have dairy, soy, turkey, chicken, rice, rye, peas, green beans... there is quite a list.
Anyway, The only "sure-bet" company I have found so far for items like shampoo and conditioner that are free of major allergens is California Baby. The labels clearly state what the products are "free" of. Otherwise, with most labels for soap, lotion, etc, I have to call up the company to check.
I found out today that most Burt's Bees products are soy-based. Anything on their labels that says vegetable glycerin or vegetable oil is soy based.
Now I am going to have to check out every product that we use that has glycerin in it, I guess. Some Vit-E is soy based, but trocopherol is a man- made apparently, and it should be safe.
I know federal law requires food labels to declare if there is a major allergen present. However, this law apparently doesn't stretch to cosmetics.
With california Baby, I feel safe using their products, but they are pricey  Does anyone have other companies they know and trust?
I am also looking for Almond milk that does not have soy lecithin.
This allergy thing is kicking me hard...trying to do all the research as well as do the allergy free cooking, keep up the house, the schooling, the drs appts, etc. I am finding that Amazon's subscribe and save program is going to be very helpful as far as keeping the costs down for the allergy free foods I buy.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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MarilynW
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| Posted: March 04 2008 at 6:23pm | IP Logged
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O Melinda - sorry about all the allergies - we have a lot too. I am surprised at yours though - I did not think anyone would be allergic to rice - did they find this out through prick testing or blood testing? What are your daughters reactions?
A word on California Baby - I believe some of their products have corn in. Also - I so wanted their products to work - but my dd could not use them and neither can I. I am still looking for the miracle product...
How severe are your dd's reactions? is it anaphalaxyis or eczema?
Check VANICREAM products - that is what my doctor has me on - available from allergy catalogs, the manufacturer PCSI and Costco will order in the cream, bar soap and shampoo.
Also for my dd - the unscented Aveeno lotion and baby creamy wash work - and ONLY these products in the range.
I so sympathize with you on the allergy cooking - it is like a full time job!!
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Marilyn
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SeaStar
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| Posted: March 04 2008 at 7:12pm | IP Logged
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My dd was negative on the skin prick testing, but she has reacted to soy and dairy on the skin patch test since she was 6 months old. Her reaction is marked abdominal pain, gas, and reflux-type symptoms (strong, painful belching episodes). When she was younger it would cause bllod in the stool.
This latest round of testing included 25 of her staple diet items (rice, green beans, etc). The allergist believes that her food allergies are causing an esophagitis that mimics reflux, so he wanted to test for a wide variety of foods. Apparently, you can be allergic to rice. She has not had blood testing- I'm not sure how helpful that is for this type of allergic presentation, but I am going to ask again at our next visit. She has never had the classic eczema- just the GI pain, and that is more of a food protein intolerance- a different mechanism than the classic peanut type allergy.
This is so frustrating for me- I just want her to feel better and be able to sleep at night vs. rolling around with GI pain.
Thanks for the tip about the vanicream. I will look into it.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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JennGM
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| Posted: March 04 2008 at 9:13pm | IP Logged
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Melinda, this is a big list and a lot on your plate!
Do you belong to Kids with Food Allergies? Some of the forums are open to the public, but I think $25 for a year is a bargain for the help and support. They were a godsend when I was feeling very overwhelmed.
We use Aquaphor products, including the wash. We had eczema problems, though. I think it was the doctor who said sometimes it's better to do man-made products when you are so sensitive to "natural". I know that can be frowned upon, but you're looking for comfort for your child.
I've always thought I'd love to take the doctors home and have them walk a few days in our moccasins. That little phrase "go now and avoid these allergens" is so easy to say, but SO HARD to do. VERY stressful.
Is your list you posted complete or are there more allergens? That's a tough list. Do you use olive oil as your "fat"? Can you do eggs, beef, pork, tomato, wheat, oats?
I'm not trying to add work, but is the doctor urging you to avoid food families, too?
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Jennifer G. Miller
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SeaStar
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| Posted: March 05 2008 at 6:31am | IP Logged
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We still have to retest for egg, so that would bring the total up to ten. I pray that we do not lose egg. Thankfully she was neg for wheat.
She has delayed hypersensitivity, so she can eat something today and hace GI pain from it several days down the road, which makes it near impossible t0 track reactions with a food diary. Also, because of the delay, the RAST blood testing isn't much help.
In the past I have joined the food allergy network, but other than food allergy alerts, I didn't fine it too helpful. Thanks for the other link- I will check it out.
I do use olive oil for my fats- I have a good conversion chart. I also heard that Mother's Margarine, available around passoever, is truly dairy and soy free (but I haven't seen it in any store to check the label). She can have wheat; oats and corn were very low reaction on her test. I've been avoiding tomatoes and OJ because of the reflux-like symptoms. I am now worried that I am going to have to test for every single thing she eats (salmon, each individual fruit,etc).
Yes, it is stressful all right- especially since we haven't yet found what will give her relief. Thanks for your help.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Topic: Can we share allergy inFormation?
