How do I find out what my two year old is allergic to?

Question

One of my two year old twins gets a raised red ring around his mouth after eating, so far, strawberry jam, "maple" syrup and, now tonight, ranch dressing. These foods do not seem to share a common ingredient.

Answer 1

This may not be an allergy but just a skin reaction. I have a friend whose daughter gets really red after eating things that are acidic or spicy.....well, she did. But it was more because kids eat messy and it bothered her skin. Strawberries are acidic and ranch dressing is spicy. Not sure on the syrup -- mostly corn syrup and sugar.

An allergist can do skin testing. But, unless there are hives, or anaphalaxis -- trouble breathing, etc. they may not want to pursue it.

Try putting a dab of jam on his/her cheek and leave it there then wipe it off a while later -- see if it is the skin.

Good luck. We have tree nut allergies here -- it can be crazy!!

Answer 2

Save the labels from the foods in question then bring him to an allergist and tell the doctor his symptoms. Show the allergist the labels and he or she will take it from there. My daughter had a severe reaction from a tiny store bought pastry. We wound up in the ER(unable to breath) not knowing the origin of the reaction. Since that was the last thing she ate (1 small taste,not even a bite),we took the label to the doctor and found out from a scratch test (followed up 1 month later with bloodwork) that she is severely allergic to cashews and other tree nuts. That small bite contained a trace amount of cashew. Have both twins tested to uncover any unknown food allergies and prevent what I went through with my little girl.

Answer 3

They all have types of sugars. Fructose, sucarose, et al. I agree in general to the allergist part, but frankly you can save some time and money but doing some investigative work yourself and having the allergist run limited testing. Compare the labels. If you can't find a common ingredient or type of ingredient then work backwards and eliminate dyes, cornsyrups, thickeners, et al. one at a time for atleast a week and see if the rash develops. Children at this age have more sensitivites rather than allergies and often in time they go away. Try to keep a log to keep you sane--- something as simple as a lollipop might set it off.

Answer 4

Could be. I am lactose intolerant and milk gives my bad stomach. Though there may be other digestive problems that could be causing it. Take him back to the doctor and ask for an Allergy test and give your suspicions that you think it may be milk. But as you have discovered that he improved after no milk give him Lactose free milk and dairy replacements such as Goats milk, Soya, Wheat, and rice milk, and if the runs don't come back you know Dairy sets it off. Though What may trick you is if he has no reaction to some cheese or yogurt. Some people with Lactose intolerance can still eat them (some cheeses only limited) as the enzymes that create cheese and yogurt eat the lactose sugars that can't be digested by people with lactose intolerance. but either way make an appointment for a food allergy test specifying lactose or dairy. Though also discus your findings of how no milk improved the runs, so he can be tested for other causes like irritable bowl syndrome or something.

Answer 5

I agree about taken your kids to an allergist, however, keep in mind they will give them a serious of tests on their skin that some kids find painful. Have you tried to give it again with nothing else and see what happens. That is usually what they recommend when you first start feeding babies, try one new food at a time several times in one week to see how they react. But definitely talk to your pedi about it.

Good LUck :-)

Answer 6

An allergist can test for anything a person could and dont even know that they are allergic too

Answer 7

take her to an allergist and they can do skin testing for every day foods ie, wheat, eggs, soy milk, peanuts nuts..... the list goes on.
if nothing shows up on the skin test, the doctor might want to do blood work.

Answer 8

I have a 3 year old who is alergic to peantus. take your kid to an allergist, they do scratch testing on all foods and outside elemnts. its worth it, your taking a chance every time they try a new food.

Answer 9

u should take him 2 the dr for a simple test the dr can tell u everything he is allergic to

Answer 10

I would have your doctor run some tests that way a bad reaction to something doesn't happen.