DD finally had her allergy skin testing today to confirm the results of the RAST test and test for additional food allergies. The skin pricks confirmed all but the strawberry allergy (thank goodness, as I've been realizing tons of kids products are flavored with strawberry). She tested positive (3-4+) for peanuts, SOY, green beans, peas, lima beans, and lentils. Based on these results, we are to assume she is also allergic to the most common cross-reactive legumes, which are chickpeas and navy beans. We are hoping she can continue to eat black beans, red beans and white beans.
Luckily her reaction is mostly or all GI system based, hence the almost daily episodes of loose stool and urgency. The hives she experienced where while discontinuing Zyrtec, and the doc agreed she might have been having a rebound effect -- therefore a more severe reaction than we should normally expect.
She is OK to have soy oil and soy lecithin, and we can test soy sauce. The allergist has several patients who tolerate all 3.
I took DD to Trader Joe's after the test and she nearly fell asleep in the cart. I didn't realize what an impact this testing could have on her.
I'm hopeful we can get her stools back to normal by simply avoiding legumes. Of course, I just looked up a list of legumes and was stunned to see how many there are!! Acacia? Arabic Gum? Cassia? Locust trees? Mesquite? Carob? The locust tree and mesquite make me wonder if tree pollen allergies to these trees are the first step to legume sensitization.
I realize I am lucky to be soy-aware for myself. I cant imagine being a mom just starting out on a journey like this. Of course, this means no processed, fast food meats (burgers, chicken nuggets, etc), no school lunch, lots more questions at restaurants, etc. She won't need to sit at the peanut free lunch table, but she will need to be very self aware and only trusting of the foods I pack for her. I will carry Benadryl strips, but luckily we are not in Epi-pen territory.
What does the Paleo diet say about green peas, show peas, alfalfa, bean sprouts, etc? Are they all off limits?
Anyway, onward. Another day, another challenge we can handle. At least it's not celiac or MC (yet).
Visit the Microscopic Colitis Foundation Website
But I didn't. 
I should note we've been weaning her off Allegra for several days. She's down to half a dose a day. And it seems she has a cold. Maybe a kid GI virus? I hope so!
