Allergies – If your infant has frequent spit-ups and difficulty sleeping don’t just chock it up to “being normal” like I did. It wasn’t until a friend asked “Could she be allergic to milk?” that I began to piece together the signs and symptoms. Well that’s not exactly true. It was the facial rash and trip to the pediatrician that confirmed the milk allergy when it hit me – “my daughter really does have an allergy”. Eventually she outgrew it but at age 4 was diagnosed with a peanut allergy. So began a life of Benadryl and Epi-Pens and hours spent meticulously scanning the back of cans for ingredients. The worst was sending her and an Epi-Pen off to day care, the baby-sitter, and school with instructions - “If she eats a peanut, stick this needle in her leg, give 2 teaspoons of Benadryl, and call 911!”
Asthma: I thought allergies were bad but then came a bout of asthma ruining a lovely day with a horse drawn carriage ride. My daughter had some minor breathing issues earlier but I soon found out the trotting animal in front was the culprit. Tests were “off the chart” and the numbers were described by the allergist as - “the worst ever seen”. These are not the words any parent wants to hear.
Good News! With proper treatment my daughter is no longer suffering and is one of the happiest children I know. So if you think you’ve got it bad, remember – “Life is truly known only to those who suffer, lose, endure adversity and stumble from defeat to defeat.” (Anais Nin) or just sing along to Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”.
May is Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month. If you are interested in learning more about this topic, please refer to: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (www.aaaai.org); American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (www.acaai.org); The Food Allergy & Asthma Network (www.foodallergy.org).