Allergies.

Sippy cup? Check.
Snack trap? Check.
Diapers/Wipes? Check.
Epi pin? What?!?

We took Britton to an allergist yesterday after he's had four reactions lately to things he's eaten. He's reacted after eating hummus twice, then once to an apple, and another time to apple & cinnamon oatmeal. After talking it all out with her, we decided to skin test him to see if he was allergic to sesame and peas (both in hummus), apples, soy (potentially in hummus and the oatmeal), peanuts (b/c there is cross-reactivity between them and sesame) and melons (b/c Danny is allergic). He tested positive for all but melons!! We were in shock because Britton never had any kind of allergies up until he was 17-months-old. Allergies are not totally unexpected, though, as Danny has food allergies and asthma, and I had a serious milk intolerance as a baby.

Before the test was even finished (it takes 15 minutes+ to read it), a nurse was coming in to train us on how to use an epi pin. It was all a bit overwhelming. The peanut and sesame allergy have the potential to be very severe and life-threatening, thus the need for an epi pin. I hope we never have to use it, but glad we know this now and know what to look for. Britton has never been exposed to peanuts so we don't know the severity of the allergy yet, but we have seen him react to sesame and he broke out in a rash around his mouth and in hives on his body. There is always the potential for reactions to get worse with each exposure. Unfortunately, there is only a 20% chance that he will outgrow the peanut and sesame allergies and only possible, I believe, with strict exclusion from his diet. I think there is a good chance that he will outgrow the other food allergies.

The pea and soy allergies, I believe, will be the most limiting. Peas are in the legume family (as are peanuts) and it also includes beans. Ironic considering the post below! Britton loves kidney beans, black beans, lima beans, black eyed peas, and field peas. And they are great sources of protein, so I am really bummed that we are supposed to start excluding them. Soy is found in a lot of processed food, which Britton doesn't eat a lot of, but I will have to start reading labels and being more careful.

For now, we are keeping a food log and will go back to the doctor in a month. Danny moped around yesterday evening lamenting that Britton won't be able to eat peanuts at a ball game or enjoy a peanut butter sandwich. We will have to find some kind of substitute. I think the doctor mentioned sunflower butter, but it doesn't sound as appealing. In the grand scheme of things, this is just a bump in the road. Things could be a lot worse. We are grateful for his health thus far, and are so glad to know all this so we can keep our boy safe.