Journey to recovery?

So after the visits to peds and allergist, we have finally identified the major culprits. This is now day 4 of my elimination diet - free of soy, wheat, eggs, peanuts, and tree nuts. The results are showing...Kutay's eczema has drastically reduced and his baby soft skin is slowly coming back. There is only minor rash left behind his legs. Compared to how it has been for the last few months, there is night and day difference.

It is a bit challenging in terms of diet, as we now have to study the food labels very carefully. Eating out is a bit difficult as well...though a few restaurants offer ingredients information on their website, and the places that we have been to have been accommodating as well. I just start with the gluten free menu, then work my way down to remove the items that contain the remaining offenders. Granted, this doesn't leave me with much choice to choose from, but if this is what it takes for Kutay's eczema to subside and we can have a more fun time together free of hydrocortisone and other harmful chemicals, then so be it. :)

Come to think of it, isn't it a bit ironic (in a funny sort of way) that Kutay (being asisan) is allergic to soy, and (being turkish) is allergic to wheat?

Visit to Allergist

So we went to the allergist today. Did skin test to confirm the results w/ the blood test. Yup, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, and wheat are officially off limits, so is soy for a limited amount of time. Good news is, both tests confirm that we are ok with dairy. So perhaps after his flare up subsides, we can start feeding him yogurt and cheese...slowly.

Another blood test scheduled for tomorrow to investigate some additional potential culprits, including avocado (could the latest flare up be due to the avocado that I have been eating?). Poor guy, he was wailing for the entire time during and after skin test. Big tear drops...break my heart. :(

Just hope that he will outgrow this soon.

For now, sweet dream little one.

Another Flare Up?

Thought it was going in the right direction until Monday...was it the egg that I ate on Sunday (before I knew bebis is allergic to eggs)? Or is it the apples that we have been feeding him since Monday night? :(

Apple Cider Vinegar

Previously bought some organic ACV from Whole Foods...was told it could help clear up bebis' skin inflammation. Tried for two days and didn't work; inflammation got worse and had to use hydrocortizone. So what am I going to do with a whole bottle of ACV? Well, turns out, mixing it with olive oil, honey, and parsley makes some delicious and light salad dressing. Might as well since I can't use most of the commercial dressing anyway.

The verdict is in

So the verdict is in. The little guy has been tested positive for wheat, peanut, egg, and soy allergies. So the quest is on to find friendly food without the allergens.

I never realized how many different ingredients are mixed into one seemingly simple food item. Let's take chocolate for example. Who knew there is soy in that?! Not just one or two bars/brands. After looking through more than 20 different bars in various different brands, they all contain soy! Same goes for all of the asian marinades in our fridge...there is soy in everything.

Guess it's time to clean up our pantry....

Can it be shrimp?

We have been battling his eczema lately; it almost consumed me. Been on a seemingly never-ending quest to find the magic potion. Breaks my heart to see the flare ups. Even my mother has much better skin than the baby; what gives?!

Been tracking his daily food intake and trying to find a correlation. Tried encasing the crib mattress, changed the diaper brands, changed the laundry detergent, and changed numerous creams and oils. Nothing seems to work.

Now we suspect he may be allergic to shrimp (amongst potentially other things); would make sense since I have been eating quite a bit of shrimp dishes lately. Will wait and see what the test results say.

Meanwhile, the 2.5% HC seems to be doing the trick. Hate to put it on him; but can't bear to see him being miserable.