So last week our son underwent his 3rd (or 4th!) dairy challenge under supervision in the hospital.

(Click here if you missed the first part of that story!)

At the time, he ‘passed’ the in-hospital challenge with no reactions observed. (BIG HURRAY!!!)

But the allergy challenge doesn’t stop there.It continues on for the next 7 days… at least.

So what exactly happens after a ‘negative’ food challenge result in the hospital?

(A negative result is a good thing – i.e. no reactions!)

Here are 3 things you should know!

ONE

For the following 7 days, the aim is to continue consuming the new food each day in a specified quantity and watch for any reactions.

 

This might include hives, respiratory issues, gastrointestinal issues, skin issues, sleep changes, behavioural issues or other.

TWO 

It’s important to ensure that the food is consumed at a time where the child can be observed for 2 hours (awake) afterwards.

THREE 

And in the 2 hours before and after consumption that exercise is avoided to reduce likelihood of an increased reaction.

 

Sometimes we pass the test, sometimes we don’t. Either way we’re super proud of our brave boy and him going through the whole process.

The Food Allergy Challenge continues even after you’ve left the hospital…

So we’re still in the middle of this 7 day post-hospital challenge.

 

In the past we haven’t had the typical ‘allergic’ reactions like hives, but experienced some changes in behaviour with significant tantrums that were particularly hard for our son.

 

So we backed off, continued to work on gut healing, and have gone back for follow up challenges.

 

Why? Because the research suggests that those who can tolerate baked dairy are more likely to be able to tolerate non-cooked dairy in the future, than those who don’t have (or keep) the dairy in their diet.

 

It would be wonderful to know that when eating out, he doesn’t have to worry about his dairy allergy any more.

 

To date, he’s no longer allergic to:

  • eggs

  • salmon

  • rye

  • coconut

  • hazelnuts

  • wheat

  • tuna

 

It would be wonderful if we could add dairy to that list of foods we no longer have to worry about.

Hopefully one day.

 

In the meantime, we know that our journey with allergies has been longer than we’d ever hoped, but we have learnt so much in this that we know we will get over this hurdle together, with the support of our family and community.

 

If you’re looking for a wonderfully supportive community, click here to find out more. 

Sometimes we pass the test,
sometimes we don’t.
Either way we’re super proud of our brave boy and him going through the whole process.
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