* I did not win this award.
I’ve written about my youngest daughter and her allergies. She is only 2 and has been allergy tested twice. Pin prick skin testing on anyone’s back is awful. Much, much worse on a squirmy, adorable, smiley toddler. Both tests confirm she is allergic to milk, eggs, and nuts. Not an easy child to feed.
It’s been a year since her first reaction and test. I thought I had it fairly under control. I read labels, I remind people before coming over not to bring nut products. I thought I was doing my job.
Last week, after a fun trip to the playground, she started breaking out in hives all over her face and body. WTF is that from? We could not figure it out. Sure, she has been know to try to steal a bite of M’s grilled cheese or a handful of Goldfish, but we generally watch her like a hawk. Could it be something from the playground? My imagination was racing…perhaps she put her hands in a some dirt where someone had spilled some milk and then sucked her thumb? Was someone throwing peanut shells on the ground? I was reaching. In any case, the hives went on for a few days (got a bit better, but still didn’t disappear), and I was no closer to figuring out the cause. No new detergents, lotions, clothing – nothing. The poor girl woke up scratching herself silly each night, and spent her days drowsy from Benadryl.
Yesterday, when giving the girls a bath, I had an epiphany. I bought new shampoo and conditioner last week. That can’t be it, can it? Sure enough…one of the first ingredients is Sweet Almond Oil. Wow. Nut oil in my shampoo and conditioner, that gets rinsed down the drain with each shower, may have been the cause. So, I stood her up, rinsed her with clean water from the faucet and got her out of the tub.
Guess who has had almost no hives since then?
Guess who feels like a really shitty Mom?
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{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow, that is a pretty severe allergy! Don’t feel like a bad mom. Who knew it could be from that? It sounds like you do your best to be vigilant, so don’t beat yourself up about it.
Kameron´s last blog ..When Will I POP??
My 4yo has severe egg and nut allergy and I had similar experience. I took her to my pedicure where she sits on my lap and the nice pedicure lady rubs her little legs when she does mine. I didn’t realize that last time she used an almond scrub. Her legs got all itchy and swollen, like terrible poison ivy. Yeah, I felt pretty shitty. I’m always so careful about what goes IN her body, I guess now I have to do same with what goes ON it too. Thanks 4 headsup on those products!
Becca´s last blog ..Mirror Mirror
So scary, isn’t it? Now I’ll cross pedicures off her list of things to do.
Don’t beat yourself up for that one! I wouldn’t have thought about that at all either!
Michelle´s last blog ..Carded.
I’m trying not to. I know it could have been so much worse, but still. It’s crazy where you can find some of these allergens without thinking!
Girl, this hit home to me and no you are not a crappy mom, you are human. I’ve been there, too. I’ve put Blistex on my sons lips that contained Shea Nut butter as one of the ingredients. I never would have thought I would even have to read the bottles of lotions, too but with this freakin allergy, we do!
Hang in there! Thank goodness she is ok now. So scary, I know!
Theta Mom´s last blog ..Campus Quilt Review and $150 Gift Card Giveaway!
Who would have known! You are a great mom – don’t feel bad! It is so tough these days….I don’t remember any issues like this when we were growing up…..
No kidding! Was there anyone in school with nut allergies? I don’t know about you, but I would have starved if I wasn’t allowed to bring PB & J to school.
I myself, am not a fan of of PB or J, BUT, there was not any nut free classes or any warnings of what not to bring to school, not sure where all these allergies are coming from…my little one had a reaction to dairy when he was little…spent many a night holding him for hours while he screamed in pain, til we figured out what it was…..he outgrew it(to a point) now, but I can only imagine what you have to deal with….foods these days contain all kinds of ingredients….Good luck to you! Hoping for no more hives!! We’ve had those here too(me included) NOT FUN!!!
Who would have thought of that though? Actually you did. You thought to check it and you found it out. You’re not a bad mom. You’re a great mom!
omg.. my girlfriends twins have same allergy. I am going to tell her about this.. i would have never guessed…. hugs
natalee´s last blog ..Crackers and Crans
It’s crazy how common it is getting these days…I don’t remember anyone with major food issues as a kid.
Your not a bad mom. It;s hard sometimes to figure out what can cause a reaction. Sometimes you can use the same product day after day then suddenly WHAM your allergic.
As a child I developed new allergies to common things every couple of months.My poor mom was scared to feed, bathe, take me anywhere for fear I’d suddenly break out.
Mr Bubble bath, chocolate, milk, eggs, cheese, powder & liquid detergent, bees, bathing soap… just to name a few.
Once I hit 16/17 yrs old they gradually faded. I now only have seasonal allergies and can safely eat chocolate & lay in Mr Bubble bath.
ggs_closet´s last blog ..What’s New in Gigi’s Consignment Closet
Don’t be so hard on yourself. It wasn’t intentional. If it makes you feel any better, my son is walking around with hives from the knee down and no one seems to know why
Nancy@ifevolutionworks.com´s last blog ..A Story
No way are you a shitty mom! Don’t even think that! How the hell would you even know shampoo contained nut oil? You know, I’m not sure I would have even figured that out, so good on you for working it out!
Lady Mama´s last blog ..Little white lie
I nominated you for an award: http://movingonfromthedrama.blogspot.com/2009/10/best-blog-award.html
Amy´s last blog ..Best Blog Award
Holy crap! Poor Abs! I can’t believe that was causing her the hives! And I can’t believe you even thought to check the ingredients on your shampoo! I don’t think I would have ever thought of that! she has some crazy allergies….poor little thing!
Wow I would’ve have never ever thought about Almond Oil being the culprit! I can’t believe you figured that one out!! Impressive. Being allergic to wheat..I get breakouts accidentally all the time. It’s just something you’re all going to have to get used to. You’re not a bad mom, you could probably be labeled as super mom after figuring that one out!
jenna´s last blog ..Winners!
Be proud of yourself that you finally figured it out! Allergic reactions are no easy mystery to solve.
Also, my doc recommended Zyrtec for less drowsiness–seemed to help the itchies without zonking Guns out.
Deb´s last blog ..Celebrating Columbus, and myself
We all make mistakes and dang that could happen to anyone! Your a great mommy
Karen´s last blog ..Kid shows
In NO WAY are you a shitty mom! Amazing that you even figured out what caused her hives/rash! Good job, mama!
Loukia´s last blog ..I’m good in the kitchen now, too!
Don’t be so hard on yourself! Who could have known?! Who would even think? At least you caught it and she’s doing well now, right? Right!
Jennifer @ It’s A Beauty Filled Life´s last blog ..SITScation – Who’s Going?
You are not a bad mom. Who would have thought to check shampoo and conditioner?!
Amy´s last blog ..Halloween Treats and Baked Goodies