Another food allergy question....

Should I wake DD to give her another dose of Benedryl- or just let her sleep? She got 1/2 tsp at 6:30 at the doctor's office.

Also, can allergy testing be done as young as she is? She's 9 monyhs old. Would I just contact a regular allrgist, or are their pediatric allergists?

Thank you ALL so much for your help- I swear, I don't know WHAT I would do without this board.....

Re: Another food allergy question....

I don't know about the benedryl, my ds hasn't had an anaphylactic reaction yet.

Yes she can be tested this young, my son was tested around then if I remember right. The allergist we take ds to is in Merrick.

Dr. Stacey Radinsky
Comprehensive Allergy & Asthma, P.C.
1699 Merrick Avenue, Merrick, NY 11566
516-771-4800
http://www.radinskymd.com/

Message edited 3/26/2008 9:16:08 PM.

Re: Another food allergy question....

Re: Another food allergy question....

I wouldn't wake her... The first time DD had a reaction I just watched her that night.

Yes - allergy testing can be done that young DD1 was 10 months old when we started testing her because of serious reactions.
DD2 started to get tested at 6 months because of the family history.

I would ask your ped to recommend an allergist - Ours deals with both infant/children and adults. I feel more comfortable with that because with kids, they treat somewhat differently than adults. For example, my DH is peanut/tree nut allergic. He avoids certain nuts and peanuts. With children, they tell you to avoid all nuts because a child (or infant) can't verbalize when they have a reaction or tell someone they can't have a certain kind of nut (or milk, eggs, or whatever).

I'm so glad your DD is ok. I responded to your other thrread - I just wanted to say that my DD's both have multiple and life threatening food allergies. It is scary, but manageable.

Re: Another food allergy question....

there isn't any harm in giving a 2nd dose of benedryl, so I would do it just to be safe. It's probably not needed but I know for myself it would help me sleep better!

for a true analphylatic reaction, an epipen would really be the way to go - benedryl is great for things like hives, etc.

I think my peds said the starting age for testing is around 12 mths but I know it can be done earlier. We had my dd tested at 13 mths and then went to Dr Radinsky, whom I really like.

Re: Another food allergy question....

My DD had a reaction in November, and I am pretty sure it was to Almonds. We had to go to the ER and verything. When we followed up with her pediatrician, he said there is no need for allergy testing and most children grow out of allergies.

Re: Another food allergy question....

If one dose of Benadryl is working, I usualy leave it at that, but a second dose will not hurt...if it makes you feel better, by all means give it!

My son was tested at 8 months. The ped ordered the initial blood tests and then we had follow up testing at the allergist. We see Dr. Strauss in Rockville Centre.

My son is almost 5 and has not yet outgrown his allergies...he has not had an ana reaction ever. Not all kids outgrow them and you are better off knowing and keeping them as safe as possible by avoiding the foods, so I would talk to the ped about testing.