oh I seee

well it has even changed from when my two were babies in the early 2000s

I suppose some might say it's medical progress. They are trying to analyse why they happen and why some children outgrow them and some don't (we were asked to contribute to this research!).

Sorry - I know that allergies have always been around - I just wondered where all the rules surrounding them came from - I was introduced to peanuts when I was about 2, in the 70s, and my cousin was the same in the early 90s, however, there are guidelines now about when to introduce children to different foods - when did this start?

dh had allergies as a child, as did I (he is a child of the 60s, me of the 70s).

Poor dh. Because allergies weren't diagnosed in the 60s and he was horrifically under weight, they were advised to add raw egg to his milk/food to fatten him up. Ironically, it was egg he was allergic to (and chicken) . His skin was so bad as a young adult, the strength of the steroids he had to use to clear it up have left his skin thinned for life.

He was properly diagnosed in his 20s, cut out the allergens and his skin is far better (though he still has fairly severe eczema)

Allergies have always been around. I'm just not sure they were diagnosed like they are now.

[And apologises to Franny for possibly turning her thread into a debate/killing it completely]

Weeellll, my theory is in direct relation with what I mention above.

Hugely complex issue with lots of factors and facets but I am as sure as I could be of anything that vaccines didn't help my already susceptible DD.

There is a link to the whole peanut thing that I would love to have a sensible discussion about. Might have a go at starting a thread in vaccinations one of these days.

Disclaimer, I'm not saying that all allergies in everybody have a direct link but there is certainly plenty of plausible evidence that points to vaccines playing a role as one of many environmental factors for some people. Unfortunately it is not a popular idea and very taboo but inconvenient though it may be, vaccines are definitely a consideration.

[Beach runs and hides in preparation for tirade of 'but vaccines are the best thing ever, always, and it must be true because everybody says it all the time' type response]

Hi!
I hate to invade someone else's post, but this seemed like the right place to ask a quick question:
When I was growing up in the 70s, there was no problem with food allergies - my sister and I were bought up on peanut butter from the moment we could eat sandwiches, and our friends were the same.
When a cousin was born in the early 90s, same thing - no fuss!
However, when dd was born in 2004, there was a big fuss about introducing the right foods at the right ages, and not giving nuts until 5yo.
I'm not criticising - dd does have some food allergies, although they are not severe - I'm just interested to know when the allergy stuff was bought in/became an issue?

Hope you find something that helps EachPeach.

Also I know not generally a popular point of view but be careful with vaccines. Space 'em out and only give those (if any) that you think are of real benefit to your child. Atopic children are excused from social responsibilty in my book. Avoid vaccines during a flare up.

Thank you F&Z and beachcomber.
I think its time to go back to the drs tbh, but will look for hemp seed oil tomorrow when I go for my fennel tea...

A couple of natural things that cannot do any harm and we found really helped DDs skin are hemp seed oil and (organic, unpasteurised, unfiltered) cider vinegar. Both can be bought in any health food shop. Dilute the vinegar with water so that it doesn't sting.

i have read that the key to emollients is to keep trying until you find one that helps. we tried lots of lovely natural ones, but they didn't fix it, and also cost a fortune. you need to find one that you can apply frequently - ideally many times a day - so pick one that you like putting on him. we like doublebase gel - it's very light and does not (to me) smell unpleasant. you can ask your gp for an emollient trial pack which has small samples of all major brands.

we also find ds2's skin extremely sensitive in nappy area - now eczema on body has gone but still the nappy area is a constant problem. we have made it manageable by changing immediately after every wee as well as poo - and trying to do elimination communication (early use of potty by following baby's cues) - search on here for EC to get lots of info on that - it is easier than you think and has saved us lots of heartache with sore itchy bottoms

we felt very wary of steroid cream but read something that said "steroid cream MAY cause side effects with long term use if you are not careful. untreated eczema DOES cause side effects - it is miserable for the sufferer and their family, and can become infected and lead to more serious conditions"
this helped us get some perspective
i still use h/c cream sparingly on his nappy area if it gets v bad

Thanks Franny... we are using diprobase, but I am a bit about it- seems too chemically IYSWIM.
I have used just olive oil, and his skin is less red, but he gets weird scaly patches with it- bit like thickened skin... I have also used badgers baby balm (chamomile), which again left it less reddened, but still scaly (like cradle cap). Waitrose baby bottom butter is good on his bottom, but when I tried it on his eczema it went very red (maybe the vanilla...) Aveeno was okayish, less dry, but still scaly patches.
Is there anything else you'd recommend?
His skin is v v sensitive- I have to change him the minute he poos, or he is a real mess and he's ebf, so there's nothing nasty to be in his poo really.
Thankfully though, his eczema has never been weepy...

hi eachpeach, we tried many things including cutting out dairy from my diet but not much made a difference
i was just about to go whole hog and cut out eggs wheat etc etc but it cleared up! i think spontaneously
it makes no sense does it
i do hope the same happens for you
FWIW finding a good emollient that you like using, and using it in huge amounts, could help
we were also advised to try eradicating dustmites, oh and so many other things!
i did use h/c at times also
it's shit isn't it
good luck with it

thanks tatts and all for advice and info
i'll hold off on sesame i guess
he's fine with avocado btw
i am hoping he'll be fine with everything

tomatoes as well
ds3 is fine with tomatoes I think

ds1 actually gets a funny tongue with them like i do

reading with interest
both ds2 and ds3 get minor eczema
ds2 recently diagnosed with asthma after many years of faffing about

ds3 not had a great varioety of food et (other reasons) had avocado yesterday and is fine

i have moderate animal allergies and mild reactions to some fruits since havinf ds1 (eg bananas, kiwi, strawberries etc)
so it has reminded me I ought to be cautious

I have a list (in no particular order)from my DD's allergist which goes like this;

peanuts
treenuts
dairy
sesame
celery
shellfish fish
soy
wheat
gluten
tomatoes
citrus fruits
red fruits
mustard
pork (obviously not an issue for you!)
peas/lentils/legumes

One that is not on the list but makes DD violently ill and come out in terrible eczema and I have since found out is a cross allergy with latex is avocado.

Franny- could I ask what you ate when he was bf?
Did you cut out anything in particular from your diet that improved his eczema? My ds (4mo) has horrible patches on his 'sideburns' forehead, back of neck It doesn;t appear to be cmp/dairy, so wondering where to go next...
(forgive me, I'm sure this is old ground for you, but I didn't see any of your posts then... was pg and had a raft of health issues)

sorry - should have been some of the major allergens

FrannyandZooey there is a major trial underway to see if children should be given foods early or not, opinions differ. It wouldn't be ethical to do the trial unless there was genuine doubt about the answer.

For what it's worth (not much ) you've done the major allergens with no problem. I asked about lentils because you'd done soy safely and soy and lentil both have some similar proteins to nut. So no reaction to either looks quite promsing.

Have you tried sesame free hummus like these?

1 can garbanzo beans/chickepeas
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon cumin
Preparation:
In a food processor, blend all ingredients together until smooth and creamy.
Prep Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:
1 can garbano beans/chickpeas (15 oz.), drained
3 tablespoons sun dried tomatoes in oil
2 tablespoons roasted garlic
2 teaspoons parsley
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Preparation:
In a food processor, combine all ingredients and process until smooth and creamy. If too thick, add 1 tablespoon water until desired consistency.

Serve immediately with hot pita bread, veggies, or pita chips. Store in an airtight container.

thanks fox very useful

food allergy guide I always found this quite useful

kiwi's another one that can be funny (I think that one is involved with latex allergy, but don't take my word for it)

you have covered the main ones off already (milk, gluten, soya, tomatoes)

egg and nuts are really the next biggest I would say

I think any advice you find Franny will be varied.

I believe the advice is for atopic families (so yes, eczema and asthma would count) but to be honest, UNTIL you have a child with one of these or a food allergy, it wouldn't occur to you to do it, do you know what I mean?

So even though dh has food allergies, and we are both from atopic families, it didn't occur to me that the children might suffer until they actually did.

Also, in reality, ds was perfectly fine after about a year whereas dd wasn't so ds, despite our history, had eggs and nuts well before 5.

I think you should be careful but you also know your child. I wouldn't introduce nuts for a bit longer (we were told 5 but advice changes all the time) and I think it's sensible to give egg a wide berth for now.

oh we have also given peppers (mentioned earlier) but not celery, i had not thought about that one!
he's fine with bananas in fact he adores them
i think he composed of about 50% banana 50% breastmilk

yes thanks fox, we do eat nuts and seeds quite a lot so it would be convenient to be able to give them (ground up obviously), also i feel they would be nutritious for him

i have now read in families with history of allergies don't give eggs till 2, nuts till 3

i wonder what counts as 'history of allergies'? my mother and sister have asthma and eczema, i have v occasional v mild eczema, ds2 has had eczema
do they mean food allergies as there are none in the family? or general atopic history? anyone know?

glad to hear the eczema's still continuing to clear up

I don't know, I'd feel a bit iffy about seeds and nuts at this age tbh but then it was far easier for me to exclude them from their diet.

I think, if you want to try hummus, the key is to try a small amount first and keep it small for say a week so you can guage if there are any changes to his skin or health.

(And just make sure you have some piriton lying around)

There aren't any hard and fast rules unless he is quite obviously allergic to something (which he doesn't seem to be) because then you can be aware of the other similar foods in the same group of allergens.

"IMO I feel that alot of parents just automatically give soya milk and all those sort of products because a book says so or because friends are doing it "

oh right yes that must be it
not because my baby has been covered with horrible eczema all over his body then and constant trips to doctor and dermatologist
just 'dry patches'
thanks for that
saying insulting things, and then finishing with 'just my opinion' and a smiley, doesn't change what you have said, you know

"My other daughter who is now 10 can eat anything from raw fish to blood red meat, nuts basically everything and has shown no sign of reaction. She has no dry patches, never sees the doctor for any problems and is healthy in every way possible."
lucky you, that must be great for you

thanks tatt and others we have tried lentils and beans, all seems well
he hasn't really had a definite reaction to anything, just all over eczema which started immediately after we started solid foods
eczema now mostly gone thank heavens
he is 11 months old

i know it seems foolish to want to rush when he has had atopic reaction, but we are vegetarian and what he eats is mostly vegan, so to be able to include nuts or seeds would be great
he seems fine with beans but they are very high fibre and he does get wind and very loose poos, which isn't the most pleasant for him (or us )

i didn't see seeds on the list - shall i try seeds? i thought sesame seeds were quite allergenic? i'd love to be able to give hummus, for instance

DS had excema as a baby, he had reactions to strawberries, kiwis and tomatoes.. got blotchy red rash round his mouth. he has grown out of it now. he was always fine with eggs. never gave seeds or quorn till age 2 +

he also reacted ( v v badly ) to peanut butter at aged 2.

DD had no excema and no reactions to food , including peanut butter she ate accidentally at a friends house.. her son had left a piece of peanut butter toast behind the sofa and she found it !! there was a scary few seconds whilst we waited for a reaction , phone in hand ready to dial 999, but she was fine

My DS2 (17 months) has problems with celery (also toms and peppers but yours is ok with toms so prob ok with peppers). It is apparently not that uncommon to be intolerant / allergic to celery.

bettyjack dry skin and eczema are not quite the same thing. Children with eczema are more likely to develop allergies.

Unfortunately "it worked for me" isn't always good advice.

Ummm...just reading your post made me think of my little 10 months old.

She has been eating since 6 months, never really did the test thing.

I have noticed her getting dry patches but being totally honest never put it down to allergy.

My other daughter had dry pathces throughout this age and I out it down to hormonal changes.

Again I feel it is the same with this my 10mth old. I dont deny her anything and feel that if she is getting dry pathces from any foods then it is a good thing. To me it means her body is reacting to the foods and absorbing them and the more she eats them the lesser the dry patches get.

My other daughter who is now 10 can eat anything from raw fish to blood red meat, nuts basically everything and has shown no sign of reaction. She has no dry patches, never sees the doctor for any problems and is healthy in every way possible.

My belief and it is just my opinion that feeding your children everything gives their bodies a chance to react and then get used to.

To me depriving food because a book says you should before they get to a certain age cant be beneficial (of course unless there is a specific genetic/diagnosed allergy).

IMO I feel that alot of parents just automatically give soya milk and all those sort of products because a book says so or because friends are doing it or because they have been told it is the best for the baby.

IMO all the psople I knwo that only feed their babies specific foods always have some problem that arises allergy wise later on, after say about 12 months. But hey this is what mumsnet is about given each opinion.

Please dont take my post badly I am just saying how I feel, I am not judging genuine cases etc.

Top eight allergens:
1. Milk
2. Eggs
3. Fish (e.g., bass, flounder, cod)
4. Crustacean shellfish (e.g. crab, lobster, shrimp)
5. Tree nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, pecans)
6. Peanuts
7. Wheat
8. Soybeans
(copied and pasted - only reason I knew to search for eight is because I'm allergic to beans, which are apparently in the NEXT eight major allergens)

how old is he? If he's OK with milk, soy, wheat and tomatoes sounds like he's doing well. Have you tried lentils?

??

Ds2 has had eczema and i haven't given him eggs, nuts, seeds or quorn yet
milk, wheat, soya and tomatoes seem ok
which shall i try next?