Yesterday I took Lena to another allergist for a second opinion. When we went to the first allergist I just had this feeling and for once, I listened and took her to another doctor. Glad I did.

Our first test showed positive for milk (cow and goat), peaches, mango, barley, and egg. However, the doctor that did the test was not very clear on what we should do about her allergies. Further more, I had told them when I made the appointment that I was concerned about her haveing a latex allergy and when we got there I was informed that they were not able to test her for it because they did not have the supplies necessary, they had to be ordered in advance. Being that I told them when I made the appointment I thought I had given them advance notice.

The second doctor is not my favorite person but he is good at what he does so I bit the bullet and took her there. He tested her for milk, egg white, egg yolk and latex. I was informed that peach and mango need to be tested directly from a fresh fruit that the extracts do not give a good result. This doctor had not been told by the refering physician about my concerns with peaches and mangoes so I was not told to bring them. However, he told me that with foods, if a child reacts to them in anyway, avoid them and that yes, vomiting can be an allergic reaction.

Lena tested postive for an egg allergy right away and seemed to test negative for everything else. Then, as the nurse was going over the foods and labels to avoid with me she noticed that the scratch test area for the latex was reacting. The doctor came back in and confirmed what I really did not want to hear. Lena is allergic to Latex. I somehow expected this as we were warned of the risk by her neurosurgeon. With being an micro preemie and having been exposed to latex since she was born (in the NICU) and after having so many surgeries realted to her hydrocephalus, she is in a high risk group. I was just hoping that we had avoided it. My gut feeling told me she was allergic to it after she reacted to peaches the way she did i was just hopin I was wrong. Mother’s 6th sense I guess.

Many children out grow their allergies by the time they enter grade school. 96% of infants allergic to egg will out grow the allergy by the time they are 6. Lena will not outgrow her allergy to Latex. Latex is a life long allergy. You can not outgrow it. In fact the more you are exposed to it, the worse your allergy will become. We were sent home with a handful of pamphlets and information and lists of things to avoid. We were given an Epi Pen Jr and detailed instructions on how to use it. I ordered her Medic Alert bracelet this morning.

If you would like further information on products containing Natural Rubber Latex and product substitutions visit this site.  The protien found in latex (what causes the allergy) has been found to be related to several foods (peaches and mangoes are two of them). Of those who are allergic to latex, 70% will be allergic to at least one of these foods. This is called Latex-Food Syndrome, you will find more information about it here.