The Egg Challenge Aftershock
Today has been a dark, dark day.
I had been feeling pretty euphoric since the egg challenge. I had let my guard down a bit and been optimistic for the first time in years about the prospect of my daughter outgrowing some of her food allergies.
Wednesday went by without incident. Yesterday too. Eggs, blintzes, and potato latkes — everything was fine.
This morning, I whipped up some French toast. As I try to hurry my little one out the door for a playdate, I look at her face. Her right eye was swollen. Her mouth red welts around it. It couldn’t be. But there it was staring me in the face. An allergic reaction. Albeit mild — no epi-pen required, just benedryl thank goodness — but an allergic reaction nonetheless.
The physical reaction passed within 20 minutes. But I’m still frightened 6 hours later. I had no idea that it was possible to have an allergic reaction days after successfully passing a food challenge. After several frantic calls from me (and my husband) — I talked to the allergist who acknowledged that sometimes this happens. We’re going stop giving her foods with high concentrations of egg over the next 48 hours — but we are advised to give her foods with small concentrations of egg in it (bread, cookies, pancakes) and see how she fares. Wish us luck. We’re not out of the woods yet.
June 27th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
I am sorry to hear this! I cannot imagine the distress you guys through. Please, let me know if you need anything. I loved to see you yesterday. Thank you for everything. A thousand kiss to the most amazing girl!
June 29th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
I started reading your blog about 2 weeks ago and I still cannot wait to try the egg-free challah recipe you posted. I was so happy I found this blog and then I was so happy that your daughter passed the egg test but sad for me that you might not post yummy (and kosher) recipes anymore. I am sorry to hear what you went through with the french toast, although it sounds promising that she is in the process of “growing out of it.”
My 1 1/2 year old son was diagnosed with egg and peanut allergies, and he is also likely allergic to dairy. One day after spending TOO much time in the kitchen preparing food for him, I came online to find other moms who are going through the same thing and I found your blog. Keep up the good work and I hope your daughter can eat eggs without reactions!
June 30th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Good luck! We’ll be thinking of you…. I’m twitchy for days after we pass a challenge, and keep waiting for the allergy to resurface.
Glad it was only mild, and so very glad that you caught it.
July 4th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Don’t despair! I had a friend who’s son outgrew an egg allergy gradually. At first he could only tolerate baked products with egg and not pure egg product. He ate cookies, and other well baked items. Over time he has built up resistance to other egg product too.