From the frontline...Edmond parents share their food allergy struggles

This month, I've taken on the subject of food allergies in kids. So far, we've covered how these allergies make themselves known and how you as a parent can go about getting a proper diagnosis for your child. It's a frustrating, emotional battle, as I discovered while interviewing several parents who face these allergies on a daily basis.
 
So, if you or someone you know is facing the challenge of their child's food allergy, here are some others on the front line, parents taking on this diagnosis one day at a time...
 
Discovery...

Edmond mom Linda Fry learned her daughter had a food allergy when her daughter was five years old. "She went outside to feed squirrels some walnuts, and when she came back in, her face and hands were swollen twice their normal size. Her eyes were almost swollen shut." A visit to the doctor confirmed a nut allergy.
 
Two other Edmond moms, Carly Harris and Rachel Ambruso, both discovered their sons' food allergies before the boys turned a year old. Both mothers had breastfed, and it was only at the introduction of outside food when the truth was discovered.
 
Harris' son, a twin, was nursed for six months. "Though I consumed dairy," Harris explained, "he never had a problem vomiting until we started trying to feed him things directly such as cheese and yogurt. I remember feeding him yogurt and his face got so red and swollen that his eyes were almost shut." Skin prick tests done by a doctor confirmed a dairy allergy, as well as allergies to peanuts and eggs.
 
Ambruso's experience was similar. After her eight-month-old son started losing weight on a diet of breast milk and baby food, the pediatrician suggested supplementing with formula. "We tried it that evening.  Having been exclusively breastfed, the bottle only touched his lips, and he refused to open his mouth for it.  At the same time, my husband gave him a bite of his peach yogurt.  Within a minute, his face started breaking out and just kept getting worse and worse." They had difficulty getting in to see an allergist due to their son's young age, but when he was finally seen at 13 months, the results of the skin test were extensive, with confirmation of allergies to milk, bananas, nuts, and eggs.
 
 
Managing the allergy...
 
All three parents named food avoidance as the number one strategy for avoiding allergic reactions and managing the food allergy(ies) successfully.

For Fry, the best course of action is being aware. "We’ve learned to avoid foods that we know cause allergic reactions. We’re very careful when trying new things and make sure the school knows about my daughter's allergies." She also mentioned that she checks at parties on food's ingredients.

Harris echoed this method. "To manage my son's food allergies, I have to modify foods. He will actually eat macaroni plain (without the cheese packet, milk, or butter). Several pizza places will make a cheese-less pizza. Often, we just avoid giving certain things to him and check ingredient labels."

Ambruso also uses food avoidance to manage her son's allergies, saying, "We have found all kinds of alternative foods that resemble 'the real thing.'  We started giving him Organic Soy to drink (once he stopped nursing), and we are now switching him to coconut milk." In addition, she reads the food label every time she purchases a product, because ingredients can change, and she keeps Benadryl and an epinephrine on hand for emergencies.

The impact of allergies...

All three moms said the worst part of their child having food allergies is being the odd-man out at so many events. As parents, they hate having their child left out or unable to enjoy family or cultural traditions. Also, a parent may have to take on the outcast role too. Sometimes, "There is the feeling that you are being picky or a nuisance," adds Harris.

Ambruso is worried about her son's change from a mother's day out program to regular school, where there will be less opportunity to help control what he's exposed to. She hopes her son will outgrow his allergies, and that hope has been strengthened by words from her doctor. "His allergist said there is an 80 percent chance he will outgrow the egg and dairy allergy by the age of 5." However, "The chances of outgrowing the peanut and tree nut allergies aren't nearly as high, and his allergist said he could possibly have them for life."

Harris also hopes her son will outgrow his allergies, but on the same note, she's excited about strides in food allergy research. "I have heard that there is a program offered by local allergy doctors where they can challenge the allergens and eventually make the children build up a tolerance to the foods. I am very hopeful to look into this."

Fry tries to stay positive as well, but in the short term, she knows the battle is up to them. "The best thing we can do is be knowledgeable about the allergies and take precautions."

Check back next week as we talk about those new strides in food allergies, and who you can speak with in Edmond about the latest treatments.