Hi moms, I have had hives since about two weeks after my daughter was born. (she is now 8 months old) It started on my head, so I seriously thought I had lice! Then as I was scratching my head, my hands started to itch...so I thought I was allergic to something I put in my hair. Shortly there-after it was everywhere. I am on a medication for hives, but I am wondering what is causing it and when it will go away. My most recent discovery is that I may have developed an allergy to milk! After I drink milk is when I seem to break out worst. Recently I went out of town for an overnight stay and my daughter stayed with her grandparents. When she came home she had a mysterious rash for 2 days. The only thing that we can figure out that was different was that she had a few sips of milk while with grammy.
My question, now is...could I have developed a milk allergy as a response to HER milk allergy? (IF that is actually what caused her rash) We dont have an allergy specialist near here, but if I thought my daughter needed to see one, we would make the trip.
I would look into the possiblity that you have a yeast infection (candida) of the skin. If you have been on any kind of antibiotics you could be susceptible. Stop all dairy, alcohol, sugar, white bread/pasta, and go to the health food store for anti-fungal supplements along with a good probiotic. You will probably have to do this for 30 days. Still want milk after you are back to normal? Go for goats milk.
Good luck
The easiest way to know is by doing a food diary. Allergists are expensive. And you can try to do this yourself. Common allergens, dairy, food colorings (especially red 40), nuts, soy, are normally the culprits.
As long as neither of you are anaphylactic then you can try them (only 1 allergen introduced at a time, spread out 1 a week). Then if you have a reaction you will know what "food" it is. Milk is in so many things. It does not have to be a sip it can be in bread, sauces, lunchmeats, etc. Same for soy & food colorings. Once you have determined what causes the reactions you can avoid that food. G
I am not able to answer all of your questions but, I would not take the baby to a allergist. Looking back I think it was a waste of time and money. He was not able to diagnose any allergy after the scratch test and sent us home to put her back on milk. Of course as soon as we did all of her hives, and rash came back. Some Postings on this site said they really could not test her at such a young age (12 mos.)In the end mom knew better that the specialist. Good luck with your own hives they sure are painful I hope you can figure it all out soon. I think Mamasource is wonderful so, someone will come up with something. K. K.
Not all allergies (or sensitivities/intolerances) will show up on an allergy test so I wouldn't go to a bunch of trouble for it now. You can figure this out yourself. (And I say that even though my two sons both see an allergist that we like very much. But he's nowhere close to you! ;)
Keep a food diary and try eliminating some stuff. Start with dairy since you already seem to have connected it to your hives. If your symptoms clear right up, you're all set! :) Yeah, avoiding dairy is a pain but so worth it if it makes everyone feel better. The 6 weeks someone mentioned is just a guideline. I did 3-week eliminations to figure out my DS2's intolerances...milk did take 4 to clear both me and him but most other foods I can tell a difference faster than that. One way I've heard to time it is pull the food 'til you get to 'baseline' (absence of symptoms) and remain there for 3 days. Then you can try to reintroduce & see if the symptoms return. If so, pull the food longterm.
I'm in a great allergy group on Yahoo (TerrificKidsWFA... we're also on Facebook but don't talk there much) and there are people in there who developed allergies in adulthood. After a pregnancy, surgery, avoiding a particular food for a while, or completely at random! So you may have developed a milk allergy, and it may or may not be related to your DD's.
Best of luck!
I would give probiotics a chance. They are wonderful and they do repair the body from the inside out. If you go to a health food store you can get some for yourself and I do know that they carry children's probiotics. I am not sure when a child can start probiotics but you can speak with someone there. Good Luck!
K.
I too developed an allergy to dairy shortly after the birth of my second child. I get a rash and break out all ove my face and neck. MY Dr first suggested I give up gluten, which helped some, then dairy which cleared it up. Test it by doing an elimination diet. Completely remove dairy for 6 weeks- milk yogurt cheese. Don't cheat! Read labels on everything and avoid whey casein, anything from milk solids or protein. If you eat out tell the waiter you are allergic. Avoid fast food. After 6 weeks, introduce the food at three meals on a Monday then again on a Thursday. No dairy Tues or Wed. Eliminating it clears your body then the Monday introduction primes the antibodies and if you are allergic, the Thursday dairy will cause the antibodies to react and you'll get a reaction.
I know it sounds like a pain but it is well worth it!
Good luck,
L.
my sister's 14 month old has a milk allergy...and milk is in so much stuff!! it is a common allergy to grow out of. Trust your instincts. and read read read labels of everything. for my nephew he is on soy milk and seems to enjoy it. I had a milk intolerance for years in college, IBS brought on by stress, so no hives with it but definitely had a hard time with milk, I went to soy milk and rice milk and read labels of everything, I ate soy cheese (which is actually pretty good once you get used to it) for several years I just never had dairy, not even ice cream, rice dream is the best tasting substitution in my book...anyway after a few years it just went away. I drank milk like crazy when I was pregnant with my daughter and still can have it with cereal or once in a while as long as it is skim milk and not too often, I couldn't drink several cups a day--but I can tolerate it again. If that is what you feel the allergy is then go with that. I would suggest that you get yourself tested because if you carry an allergy to milk right now then it's likely your daughter has the same thing. my nephew broke out in a rash within seconds of having anything with milk and it would spread across his whole body starting with his face. then after a while he would throw up.
good luck.
My mother-in-law was allergic to lanolin. That happened to her when she was in her 50s and right after her husband died from cancer. I have often wondered if stress could be a part of it and sometimes any change in our lives can cause stress such as having a baby. But lanolin is in everything, hand lotion, soap, shampoo, etc.
