Gluten/wheat possible allergy advice needed

[Sparklesandglitter]

DD is currently dairy free and soy free (nearly 8month old) I have suspected another mild allergy due to eczema that flares up sporadically. Anyway, today she has eaten wheat and gluten (wheatabix and spaghetti hoops) and she has developed spots on her mouth and her body is covered in excema (that was not there this morning) Where do I go from here?how long do I need to eliminate them from her diet to establish a link? She has a pead referal in 5 weeks

TIA

[Sparklesandglitter]

Are wheat and gluten the same?

[ananikifo]

You should go to a doctor. Coeliac disease is not the same as an allergy but you need a proper diagnosis and access to a dietitian to make sure your child's diet is nutritionally adequate.

[Sparklesandglitter]

Yes we have been seeing the dr for her milk allergy and we have a referral but its not for a few weeks. I was planning on removing wheat/gluten from her diet for a few days then trying again. Is that suitable? How long is long enough for it to get out of her system? She is gaining weight well

[ananikifo]

It's almost certainly not gluten. You could avoid wheat until the appointment. I would keep a food and symptom diary detailing what she are and what symptoms she had, and when.

[ananikifo]

Although I would also check the packets from the spaghetti and wheatabix to make sure they don't contain her known allergens.

[Sparklesandglitter]

Gluten is coeliac yeah? The dr had mentioned it early on but we discarded it as being likely. Why do you say not gluten out of interest? The allergy info just states wheat/gluten

The symptoms she has had are loose stools, eczema on whole body, rash on face and snuffly. These are the symptoms she also had with dairy and soy ( except for facial rash)

[ananikifo]

The symptoms you describe are allergic, not coeliac. People don't really get allergic the gluten, which is a very specific protein. It may be wheat allergy but I would rule out your known allergens first.

[almondfinger]

Ananikifo without taking a thorough case and reading test results you are making ridiculous claims to the mother.

OP, you should ask for the gliadin antibody test to rule out Coeliac disease. It's a blood test. Gluten (in all wheat, and cereals) needs to be consumed prior to the test to see if the body is producing antibodies against it. Loose stools can be an indicator of coeliac disease, particularly if they are also foul smelling and frothy. Sorry TMI.

DD1 has multiple allergies, to nuts, shellfish, egg, certain fruits etc. She is ok with all grains (oats, wheat, bran etc) but cannot eat Weetabix or her eczema flairs up all over her body and she starts to itch. I don't know if its an additive in the product or just the wheat content. We avoid it.

I would avoid Weetabix till you see the Paed. or you could avoid both for 2 weeks, ensuring she is relatively clear of eczema, then introduce a little of one, see what happens. Again avoid both for 2 weeks and introduce a little of the other and again see what happens. Can I ask why you are giving an 8 mth old spaghetti hoops? They are full of sugar.

[Sparklesandglitter]

WRT the spaghetti hoops my HV said they were fine occasionally her diet is pretty lined already due to no dairy/soy so I am just trying to mix her diet up at bit. A bit of sugar occasionally won't hurt I believe.

Thanks for the advice re the test, wheatabix is a relatively new addition to her diet, she had it at nursery and enjoyed it so I got her some. I think I will remove wheat/gluten and then try again once she is clear, so 2 weeks is how long it takes to be clear from her system?

[Sparklesandglitter]

Limited not lined

[almondfinger]

It wont hurt at all, but the more sugar they have as small babies the more of a taste they will develop for it as they wean.

I don't know your work or budget constraints but cold you not make batches of food for her and freeze them. Pumpkin, carrot, sweet potato, broccoli, chickpea, bell pepper add some water/stock and process it all up. Have you tried Ella's kitchen meals, they are mostly dairy and gluten free and clearly marked?

It would usually take a month, but she is a small baby, I presume she has only had Weetabix a few times? So if you avoid for 2 weeks, ensure she is not in the middle of an eczema flare up and then test her with a few spoonfuls. what's give the Weetabix moisture? water?

[Sparklesandglitter]

She had it made with her formula (dairy free) so I know it isn't that that is causing an issue. She eats a lot of fruit and veg. We currently use jars reasonably regularly as it states what is in them clearly (I work full time) and I have control over her diet when I'm away but she also has finger foods. Due to the no dairy or soy I feel more in control with jars/porridge/fruit etc. spag hoops were a treat really

[almondfinger]

Well it sounds like you are doing a great job. I know when DD1 was first diagnosed with all the allergies I didn't know what to give her and her diet was v bland for a long time. She reacted to all sorts of random things so it was a difficult period. Trying to get her eczema under control at the same time didn't help. I am a sahm so I had the time to cook, puree, freeze etc.

What I would suggest is that you ensure she is getting some essential fats in her diet, Omega 3, 6 and 9. I also give my dd a probiotic daily you can get powdered dairy free probiotics from biocare. My DD's lap up Eskimo tutti frutti (fish oil). It will really help with the eczema and food intolerances/allergies.

See if the Doc will refer you for allergy testing.