The Latest News About Margaret, Updated December 3, 2005


Margaret Margaret: Strong allergy to eggs

Avoiding:
  • Soy and soy products
  • Dairy and milk-based products
  • Peanuts (ground nuts)
  • Tree nuts
  • Sesame
  • Fin fish
  • Shellfish
  • Corn and corn products and derivatives
Eating:
  • White potato
  • Beef, veal, lamb
  • Elemental formula (either Elecare or Neocate)
  • Non-dairy butter substitute
  • Pears and pear puree
  • Rice products: rice puffs, rice flour, rice cakes, rice wraps, ...


We took Margaret to the allergy clinic at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, which is considered the best place for treating allergies and food sensitivities in Sydney. They did no new allergy testing but pointed out the symptoms that she already has that tell them she has strong food sensitivities.

The theory that RPA follows is that there are natural chemicals which occur in plants--salicylates, amines and glutamates in particular--and for some people these chemicals cause problems. They have some information about it on their website and in their book "Friendly Food". In this model the problem is not necessarily food additives, but that the food itself can contain strong chemicals that irritate a sensitive system.

The changes they advised we make include avoiding dishes in which egg is a major component. Baking with eggs is probably okay but no quiche, omlettes, or flan. It has been shown that food proteins can stay in your mouth for hours afterwards, even if you brush your teeth.

They also advised that we should avoid peanuts (also known as ground nuts), and tree nuts (such as almond, pine nuts, or walnuts) because repeated exposure for a child who is already sensitive and who already has allergies has the potential to trigger an allergic reaction. Lastly, we are switching her from cow's-milk formula to an "elemental" formula. The elemental formulas have no whole proteins, just amino acids, and are very "kind" to the baby's system. The doctor thought her distended abdomen and refluxing were possibly from dairy. The bad thing about it is the new formula smells and tastes unpleasant.

I have learned a lot about allergies in the last few months and that is primarily thanks to the Parents of Kids with Food Allergies website. Their support group is amazing and has been a great help.

Allergies are becoming more common and so there are more and more reports about them on TV and I've noticed some confusion between food allergies and food intollerances. What are the differences?





This page is copyright 2005, Laura Giletti
Last revised: December 2005