Apologies in advance but I just NEED to rant.
I am well aware that there are far worse conditions that could be affecting my darling 10mo DS and, in the grand scheme of things, food allergies aren't all that awful. However, I am just finding it so hard to cope and can't stop constantly getting upset about it.
My son is severely allergic to dairy and egg (likely anaphylactic) and allergic (hives) to peas and lentils. We know this from reactions at home. Tests also show he would probably react to most nuts and sesame so we have been told to avoid them. He reacts to dairy by contact and egg cooking in the air.
Suddenly, it seems that the world is trying to kill my son. I know that sounds dramatic but he ended up in A&E when my DH ate crisps containing dairy near him and he gets hives when someone kisses him. Trips to cafes and restaurants are an absolute nightmare and I almost had a panic attack when we had to bring him on a plane recently. I wet wipe repeatedly and always have his Epi-pens in my sight. How the hell am I meant to manage him eating out, Birthday parties, play dates and school?
I also feel like this whole thing is sucking much of the joy out of being a FTM. Im forever watching him like a hawk; wondering why he's coughing again, what made him vomit and where that new rash or hive came from. Weaning has been an absolute nightmare and I get visibly shaky and have palpitations when we try him on a new food.
He's constantly itchy and has never slept more than 4 hours in a row, even though his eczema is quite well managed now (thanks to a fuckload of topical steroids). Every day, multiple times, I struggle as he cries and I slather him with moisturiser; he must think I'm so awful forcing him to put this greasy cream on all the bloody time.
I also feel I shoulder all of the responsibility. DH is good but he doesn't seem to 'get it' like I do and is constantly 'forgetting' to read ingredient labels at the supermarket or to wash his hands and face after eating something containing DS's allergens. I feel like I'm constantly watching him too. And don't get me started on other family members who are just dire at times.
It doesn't help that I'm naturally introverted and non-confrontational so I find it really difficult to ask people directly to e.g. not touch DS or allow their kids to touch him. I guess I'm just going to have to grow some balls as I can't risk another reaction but it's just not in my nature to 'police' people and give them instructions.
Being a mum is hard enough, why do allergies have to exist as well?
I wish I knew why this has happened, what I did wrong and how I can 'fix' him. Sadly, his blood levels are so high that any research I do suggests he won't be growing out of his allergies (at least not any time soon), and my heart just breaks for him 