[tri-med] allergies

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kim Ihlenfeldt" <kimihlenfeldt@xxxxxxxxxxx>

> How did you find out what kind of allergies she had?  I'm not sure if
> they'll send Candace to an allergist or what, but I have no idea what she 
> is
> allergic to.  And I don't know how they test for allergies or anything.
> This is all new and very unexpected, but the doctor said that kids with
> eczema tend to have about a 30% chance risk of allergies and asthma.

We knew Alex had asthma, pretty much figured out it was allergy induced.

When he was 7 (???) years old we went to an allergist for testing.
What they did was test (I think this number is ballpark--it's been some 
years) for 20 different typical allergens.
What they do is place a pad of needle laced allergens into the back and 
press.
They 'read' the resulting bumps from 0 (no reaction) to 5 (severe reaction).
Alex was severely allergic to a few items, one being cat.
He had some 'no reaction' spots and plenty of the mid range of  3 and 4. 
Those mid range were dog, dust mites, some outdoor items etc.
The only food allergen he responded to was peanuts and that was rated a 1.

It helped to know his triggers to help us better avoid them or pre-medicate 
before exposure.

Alex never did get the knack of the inhaler or the disc. He still uses 
Proventil Liquid. We do have a nebulizer that gets the most use when he has 
pneumonia/bronchitis.

Alex does seem to be outgrowing his allergies and/or the severity of them. 
Thank goodness!!!!!!
We had so many episodes of Alex struggling to breathe and scaring us (and 
him when he got older and realized what a struggle it was) to death. Lots of 
nights sitting upright in a chair (mostly Jim! he can sleep anywhere). And I 
took day duty.

Alex has had more episodes of pneumonia and bronchitis than I can count. 
Toddlerhood into elementary it was typically at least once but often 2 times 
per month.
An allergy attack often put him into the lung distress within 24 hrs. It was 
amazing how quickly he could go from fine to desperately ill.

Eczema, that's something that cropped up when he was a toddler.

Michelle mom to Alex (19, partial trisomy 14 mosaic) and Molly (16)
MichiganUSA 


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