Garlic Trial

Yesterday was day 1 of our garlic trial. At lunch time I gave him a pea size drop of ketchup with his hot dog. He really like it! He asked for more, but I told him that the doctor said he can have more next time if he doesn't get itchy. He accepted that response (I love how excepting he is of his allergies).

He made sure that he ate up all the ketchup. He swirled around his hot dogs in it and used his finger to make sure he got everything.

No problems. No itching. No redness.

At dinner time I gave him a dime size of ketchup. No problems. No itching. No redness.

The following morning he woke up with a tennis ball size rash on his neck that was itchy and red. He has had eczema, but this is a new spot. I put on some ointment. And he is doing fine. I will try more ketchup at lunch.

6 Month Research Study Check Up

Owen is in an observational research study at Johns Hopkins Hospital. The doctors and nurses at JHH are amazing, and have helped us through the food allergy maze. I am so grateful to have Owen be under their medical care.

Yesterday was a 6 month check up that was done via the phone. (they give tremendous phone support). The doctor thinks that Owen increased eczema may have less to do with soy and more to do with the heat. In any case, we are only giving him 2 cups of soy milk a day.

The doctor said he does not believe Owen is growing out of the wheat allergy because of the issue he had with play doh in May. The doctor said we can start trying fish.

I asked the doctor about the likelihood of Owen growing out of his garlic allergy. Garlic is a huge pain. He can't eat ketchup, barbecue sauce, salad dressing, marinades, allergy free chicken nuggets, sausages, etc.

The doctor said that if I would like, I can give him a little bit of ketchup and see how he does. If he tolerates it, and can very slowly increase the amount over several days. The tricky thing about ketchup is the acidity of the tomatoes can cause redness and it is difficult to tell an allergy from tomato irritation.

I am going to give the ketchup a try. I am so excited!