16 February 2011

PEANUT,MILK, EGG ALLERGY TREATMENT EXPLAINED

Our son Alexander is being treated for his peanut allergy as Dallas Allergy Immunology (DAI). The treatment is desensitization using oral immunotherapy. Click here to read "Peanut Allergic Teenager EATS a Peanut".
 Treatment is also offered for Milk, Egg and Wheat allergies. 
(UPDATE Feb 2012- Soy and Tree Nuts treatment now offered)

To learn more about treatment for these 4 food allergies read the following excerpt printed in green is from the DAI website

DallasAllergyImmunology is pleased to announce a new oral immunotherapy program that provides a long-term solution for wheat, egg, peanut and milk allergic patients. At the end of this 5-6 month program patients with wheat, egg, peanut or milk allergy will be able to consume these foods with no allergic reactions. The program introduces minute doses of wheat, egg, peanut or milk in solution over a period of three to four months. The program then progresses to small doses of the whole food for an additional two to three months, resulting in tolerance to these foods allowing the children to consume wheat, eggs, peanuts and/or milk without any adverse reactions.
We have a number of children who have graduated from the program and are now eating eggs, and peanuts or drinking milk without reactions. This program is designed for a child of school age or older who will be old enough to understand the reasons for participating and be actively engaged in the process.

Click here for detailed information on the Dallas Allergy website.

I will regularly post on this blog -
1)  information on Alexander's progress as his continues his Peanut allergy treatment.  
2) research on food allergies
3) information on Egg, Milk and Wheat allergies and their treatment
4) relevant news
5) helpful links
6) food allergy news out of Europe and other countries 
7) whatever I can think of that may help or be relevant to the subjects mentioned above

Click here to go to our Homepage. Click the FOLLOW button at top of the right section of the blog to keep up with all the news. 
You can follow us on TWITTER http://twitter.com/PeanutBlog

I pray this information is encouraging and helpful to you- Julie Brice Beiersdorf


13 February 2011

Peanut and Food Allergy TESTING RESULTS for Alexander Over the Years

Several readers have asked about Alexander's testing results especially for Peanuts. Below are the results of all testing. Here is the story...


Alexander was diagnosed with a PEANUT ALLERGY at 22 months old
Alexander 2 years old

How did I discover this? 
I had given my son a tiny taste of peanut butter. I remember exactly where we were standing- in the kitchen by our pull out pantry.
I put a tiny bit of peanut butter on a spoon (I love peanut butter). Bending down I gave sweet little Alexander a taste.

IMMEDIATELY he said his tongue tingled. I told him to "spit it out" which he did.  I think I also wiped off his tongue.
I instinctively thought "this may be an allergy". I have zero allergies (happy me) so I did not have any personal experience in the matter.

I made a few phone calls to seek a recommendation for an allergist. We chose to see Dr. Ruff, a local allergist.  I think he conducted only a "scratch test".  Alexander tested "positive" for an allergy to peanuts. What to do?

We were instructed to strictly avoid peanuts.       (Click here for "C'mon Man" post)
I thought "that's it?  That is all we can do to help someone with a life-threatening allergy?"  There was no treatment for this allergy!

Not true any longer. Thankfully a Peanut Allergy TREATMENT is NOW available.
Alexander is being TREATED  for his peanut allergy



For more information click here to read about our "Peanut Allergy Treatment Day 1"
On January 27th he ate his first whole peanut!   Click here to read about it.

Alexander selecting his 1st Peanut to Eat
When he was younger Alexander tested positive to an allergy or intolerance to a host of other foods- but that's another story.
I have not included that information in the testing results below.


Let me know if  this information is helpful by posting a Comment for all to see.  What you have to say may be helpful or encouraging to others.  Let's get the conversation started.  Perhaps we can get a helpful dialog going.


Dr. Wasserman      Blood Testing Results       9/20/2010
PEANUTS
IgE              >100 kU/L     class VI

IgG4             19.40 ug/ml  Class III    * class III range 7.51-31.00

IgE                    
ALMONDS    7.34 kU/L  class IV
PISTACHIO  1.13  kU/L  class III
WALNUT      .36  kU/L  class II
PECAN         .34  kU/L  class II
CASHEW       .31  kU/L  class II
HAZELNUT   .26  kU/L  class II
SHRIMP      <.o5 kU/L  class 0

Dr. Ruff          Blood Testing Results           7/23 2008
PEANUTS        IgE             >100 kU/L     class VI

SHRIMP     .37 kU/L      class 1
Dr. Ruff       Food Allergy Testing Panel Results- Scratch test   7/23 2008
PEANUTS     Reacted
Nuts            All including Almonds were NEGATIVE
Soy              Reacted
Wheat          Negative
Shrimp         Negative
Shellfix Mix   Negative    same result for Lobster, Scallop, Crab, Oyster, Salmon


Dr. Johnson    Blood Testing Results        3/22  2002


PEANUTS       

IgE                 >100 kU/L     class VI

HAZELNUT  18.18 kU/L   class IV

WALNUT        1.55  kU/L  class III

SHRIMP          . 10  kU/L  class I