Banana Allergy

Well J., I don't mean to disrespect any of the mothers who have already replied, but I think whomever says that they agree with your mother-in-law has lost their mind. This is your child and if you feel uncomfortable giving the baby bananas, than "NO ONE" should be feeding your child bananas. If anything, it should be discussed between you and your husband. If he wants you to put it on her, than the decision lyes solely on you. He has given up the choice to decide what your child eats. I think it's great that your family is there to help you, but the welfare of your child is what's important here. You just have to kindly let her know where you stand. No one will go with your rules if you don't stand up for yourself and have strong character in being a mother. Sorry for being so bold, but I just don't take kindly to people who try to dictate to others how to care for their children. Especially if it's someone who doesn't like an Aunt of yours. That sounds very childish. We're adults. Not high school students. Anyway, I hope you are successful in finding a diagnosis on your son's rash. Good luck! P.S. I also think it would be a good idea to try to go forth with the allergy test. Don't give up on your insurance. And don't back down when talking to them, or they will never accept.

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Hi J.,

It is definetely true that allergies can show up as well as disappear it seems at will. Now while i do not condone lying (usually)I'm wondering if it would hurt anything or anyone if you were to tell just a little lie by saying that you have had your son checked out by an allergist and that he/she validated his allergy to bananas. I just see it as a means to an end where you won't have to argue anymore and your mom can feel like she's listening to a DR. Because it seems to me that your mom does not respect your opinion on this because you are after all HER child,and shes having a hard time wrapping her mind around the fact that you can actually figure things out for yourself, by yourself y'know? I am glad to hear that you have a great support system, and i wish the best for you and yours, B.

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Hi J.,

I'm going through allergy tesing right now and they don't test you for every single thing. They test for the things that most people are allergic to and then tell you to try a rotation diet. Only eat certain things each day and see what you react to. If you're going to react, they told me you'd be able to tell with 20 minutes or so. Fortunately, most of my allergies are to things in the air, but I do have some minor food allergies. You're his mother and once he gets the insurance coverage to pay for it, have it done if you feel that you need to. Right now, go with your instincts. Good luck!!

Hello J.,
First off, Remeber you are the parent and not them. This is your child, not their. I know alot of family like to give their own advice but it is your childs welfare. Parents are usually the ones that know know something is wrong with our children and are always questioned by others. If I were you I would keep fighting with you Insurance Company about getting the allergy test done. Is there something your Doctor can do also about it? Have him submit a letter to the insurance company also. Some people my be able to eat things in their lives and then all of a sudden are allergic to them. Myself growing up had always been around shrimp. Then at the age of 16 I had a reaction one day just from cleaning them. I ended getting an allergy test done and found out that my body was now allergic to them. More than liking if he is allergic to bananas he may also be allergic to other foods. Tell, you family that is drving you crazy about this that not to be rude at all but this is my child and I'm concerned about his well being. So, either you can help me and him or be against us. I also read that food allergies can be hereditary. So, maybe it is something that was passed to him, but it doesn't mean if you have future children they will be allergic. Hope this helped and try to get him tested just to be safer than sorry!!! Good luck :-)

I know it may seem that he is allergic to the banana's but allergies and rashes can be extremely tricky to diagnose. My daughter went on pennacillian the first time and 8 days later broke out from head to toe...she was allergic to it, but so are my grandmother and brother. Now the second time she went on antibiotics they put her on something else, and 5 days later she broke out again...it looked the exact same to me as it did when she had the reaction to pennacillian except it wasn't quite as bad..the doctor said it wasn't an allergic reaction and that it was just a viral rash.
My point is that while sometimes a rash may seem linked to allergies it may not be. Does you son break out just on the face, or all over? Another VERY important thing to keep in mind is that the more times a child is exposed to something they are allergic too the worse the reaction could become. If he shows signs of trouble breathing or wheezing with the rash, get him in immediately to a doctor or the ER. So, if you're not completely 100% sure what is causing it I would at least take him in to see a regular doctor. They may be able to tell better what the rash is and maybe even what's causing it. If they do say that he needs to be tested explain to them about the insurance, they may be able to refer you to some place that can help.

I have to agree with you mom that he needs to be tested. Believe me when I know about trying to pay for things that you really don't have the finances for, but it needs to be done. There are probably things he is allergic to that you have no idea and the bananas could be just underlying, there could be something else that he is even more allergic to and it would be beneficial to know what, plus you could settle the fact that he is allergic to bananas once and for all with your mom. I would talk with a health care provider and see what the test costs and if they would be willing to work with you since you don't have insurance. you could also call the local health department and get information about it, they may be able to perform the service at a great discount or for free, or could put him on some sort of medicaid til he has insurance again. She does need to respect you when you say you don't want him eating bananas, however better safe than sorry I would go ahead and get him tested. my daughter had to be tested and they just drew a grid on her back, and poked her with these tiny needles each with a different allergen, and she had some allergies to things that we did not realize and since have been able to make some changes in her diet and have noticed a huge difference. good luck to you.

I don't know exactly how you should go about getting your mom to understand, but, when I read your post, I had to write . . . My son had the same problem right around the same age--breaking out around his mouth after eating bananas. He definitely has allergy problems (runs in our familiy too). Just thought I'd let you know that our doctor said this could be (emphasis on could) related to an allergy to latex. So, I would encourage you to watch for this. My son is allergic to some antibiotics and sulfa drugs as well. The wierd thing is, he is 18-months-old now, and we have fed him little bites of banana, and we have not seen any rash, and he does not complain. Go figure. I'm just going to have to be careful. Anyway, I've been told that you can't get a child tested for allergies until he is older (somewhere around 2-4, not sure). As for your mother-in-law, maybe you can show her what you have researched, at least, and, if you have an open relationship with her, tell her how you feel. Hope this helps! R.

I am now 29 years old. When I was in the 9th grade I had started to have allergies to stuff. I was sent to an allergy Dr and he tested me. Come to find out I was basicly allergic to nature. But to top it off, I was allergic to my cat that I had had since I was 3 years old!!! Allergies can devolop at any time!! And most Dr.s will not test for food allergy unless there is swelling of glands. All they will have you do is to clear him up (as you did) and keep a journal of what he ate at all meals and snacks. You have done all there is for a food allergy. You narrowed it down, found it out. My advise is next time your Mom says something tell her, when she feeds bannans (or anything else) she can pay the ER visit. Allergies can get worse as time goes on, they can also get better. When I had to do a journal for my food allergy, I found out I was allergic to dairy products. IE. - Milk, Cheese, Ice Cream, Chocholate, ect. I quit eating anything with dairy in it. As time passed, I started to re-intoduce things slowly. I found out I have a limit of the amount of intake I can have. If I drink 3 glasses of milk, a bowl of cereal, grilled chesse sandwhich, a bowl of Chocholate ice cream and then some Hershey Kisses I will break up in hives. But if I consume things in small amounts I am ok.
Just some info to help you out and to understand more. GOOD LUCK!

Hi, J.. I became allergic to several different foods in my early twenties including bananas, citrus fruits, melons and celery. I had eaten these foods all my life, but somehow became allergic to them as an adult. My allergic reaction caused lip swelling and an itchy feeling in my mouth and throat. I now carry Benadryl and an Epipen injection with me at all times in case I begin to have a severe reaction. My point is that food allergies/intolerance can begin at any time in your life and should not be taken lightly. I would suggest you have your son tested for allergies just to be sure and to get a prescription for an Epipen in case he would ever need it. I know these tests can be pricey so perhaps the doctor's office would allow you to make monthly payments if you explained the situation to them ahead of time. I hope this helped you. Don't worry what your mom thinks...YOU are his mother. Good luck!

Hi J..
I understand what you are talking about. A few years ago, I become allergic to roasted peanuts...and just roasted peanuts. Whenever I ate peanut butter or any other type of roasted peanuts, my lips would start to swell and itch. I could eat boiled peanuts without this reaction. And then, just as suddenly as it started, it stopped. I don't know why it happened or if it will happen again. But, because of this, I do not let my 16 month old son eat anything with nuts in them. And I have had a hard time getting my mother in law to understand that. She constantly tries to give him peanut butter cookies and other similar things despite me telling her that I don't want him to have them and why.
My suggestion to you is (1)sit down with your mother and tell her that YOU do not want YOUR son to eat bananas, ginger snaps, etc. and you would really appreciate it if she would respect YOUR decision to how you want to raise YOUR son; (2)get your son to an allergist as soon as your insurance problems are worked out--he needs to be checked for this allergy and any others he might have;they can also tell you the severity of the allergy and what you need to do if he has a reaction.
Good Luck!
N.

WELL WHAT KIND OF YOGURT DOES HE EATS B/C LOOK AT THE BACK TO SEE WHATS IN IT SOMETIMES THEY USE MILK OR 2% AND THAT MIGHT BE TOO STRONG FOR HER SYSTEM BUT STOP GIVEN HIM BANANAS PERIOD AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS B/C IT MIGHT NOT BE ALLERGIES B/C FOOD ALLERGIES SOMETIMES OR USUALLY ARE ONE THE BUT AND NECK FACE ALLERGIES COULD BE SOMETHING ELSE U MIGHT JUST WANT TO TAKE HIM A DOCTOR BUT GOOD LUCK WITH THAT