Thad and Allergies and Itching (An update and questions)

[Deleted]

So, we redid his peanut allergy blood test and it was COMPLETELY NEGATIVE!!!!! 

We also did a full panel of environmental allergens and they were also negative.

We want to redo his peanut scratch test but in order to do that we have to have him off his zyrtec and benedryl-like substance for several days.  The problem is that I truly don't know how we will do that.  If he doesn't have them on a daily basis he scratches so so badly.  Right now even with them he is back to scratching.  

Last night he was sleeping with me because he has been sick.  Around 5 AM he just went bonkers.  He even scratched me, the sheets, his pillow.  I'm at an absolute loss.  Gloves and socks don't work because he pulls them off.  

So, yay for no peanut allergy but what the bloody hell do I do about his itching? 

[bean47]

That's wonderful news about the allergy. I'm sorry you're still at a loss with his scratching.

[Deleted]

Yay about the peanut! I knew someone who had a scratcher and they put on long sleeve zip up PJs and underneath them knee high socks over their hands and up their arm.

[jg183]

Great news about the peanut allergy! I'm sorry about the scratching that sounds tough to watch
Does a topical help? Like hydrocortisone or Benadryl cream?

[mabillon]

Oct 21, 2014 8:23:47 GMT -5 @lindy said:

Yay about the peanut! I knew someone who had a scratcher and they put on long sleeve zip up PJs and underneath them knee high socks over their hands and up their arm.

This but also my friend absolutely slathered her child's skin with Acqaphor.  It was so thick that even when she was able to get at patches of skin, she couldn't really do any damage.  And the obvious - cutting nails but possibly filing them soft too.

[lolaburns]

OMG YAYYYY!!!!!! I'm so happy he has a negative RAST!!!!

I hope you can figure out a way to get him off the antihistamines for the scratch test. Poor little guy. Will the do an oral challenge after those results?

[Deleted]

He is slathered in cetaphil cream every night and morning and before nap. He only does damage in the early morning when it has rubbed in all the way. I could try the knee high socks....

[Deleted]

Oct 21, 2014 8:50:40 GMT -5 lolaburns said:

OMG YAYYYY!!!!!! I'm so happy he has a negative RAST!!!!

I hope you can figure out a way to get him off the antihistamines for the scratch test. Poor little guy. Will the do an oral challenge after those results?

If the scratch test is completely negative we will be allowed to challenge it ourselves because he has never had an alarming reaction.  If he reacts to the scratch test with under a 3mm (I think?) reaction we will challenge it in the office.  

It is so exciting! And since we had an almost negative blood test in May it is pretty good proof that this is an allergy he is outgrowing.  

[lolaburns]

Oct 21, 2014 8:52:56 GMT -5 @thadsrad said:

Oct 21, 2014 8:50:40 GMT -5 lolaburns said:

OMG YAYYYY!!!!!! I'm so happy he has a negative RAST!!!!

I hope you can figure out a way to get him off the antihistamines for the scratch test. Poor little guy. Will the do an oral challenge after those results?

If the scratch test is completely negative we will be allowed to challenge it ourselves because he has never had an alarming reaction.  If he reacts to the scratch test with under a 3mm (I think?) reaction we will challenge it in the office.  

It is so exciting! And since we had an almost negative blood test in May it is pretty good proof that this is an allergy he is outgrowing.  

You are making me so hopeful for L's RAST recheck next year.

[creamsiclechica]

I'm so happy the peanut allergy is negative!!

My sister has a prescription hydrocortisone cream and another steroid cream for the really bad days. I know that doesn't help for the getting him off for the next testing though, but maybe for the time before and after? She puts aquaphor too I think, because my nephew is allergic to sunflower oil and some other seed based things so he's limited.

Do oatmeal baths help? Poor Thad

[Deleted]

creamsiclechica here is his current regimen.

At night:
Antibiotic ointment anywhere the skin is broken
Steroid cream to hot spots
Cetaphil cream (Aquaphor makes him break out)
benedryl-like antihistimine

Morning:
Steroid cream if necessary
Cetaphil cream
Zyrtec

Pre-nap
Cetaphil cream

Occasional bleach baths (which have made a huge huge difference) and he uses an antibacterial non-soap cleanser.

I'm just not sure I have it in me to add much more to this!

[rxbeth]

Sort of off topic...

Can he have/use coconut?

For the past few weeks, I'm using coconut oil as a moisturizer and it seems to be working so much better for her than vaseline or anything else did.

[creamsiclechica]

That sounds so much like my nephew . I'm so sorry, honey. I can't imagine how apprehensive you feel removing stuff just to do testing. I think rxbeth has an idea, if you maybe wanted to try and swap something for coconut oil, because it does have antibiotic properties so maybe it will help the open stuff?

I hate that you guys have tongi through all this and still have breakouts.

[Deleted]

Oct 21, 2014 10:11:30 GMT -5 rxbeth said:

Sort of off topic...

Can he have/use coconut?

For the past few weeks, I'm using coconut oil as a moisturizer and it seems to be working so much better for her than vaseline or anything else did.

I will try this! Cetaphil works shit tons better than vaseline or aquaphor in my opinion.  I'm a huge fan.  But, maybe the oil will work better and let us wean him off the topical steroid at least.  

Kid better understand the depths of my love for him.  I fucking loathe coconut. 

[mala]

Ive been making my own moisturizer with coconut oil, cocoa butter and almond oil. I love it. Maybe something like that will work better. (Pm me your address and I'll send you some you can try before you commit to buying it yourself.) You can try aloe Vera gel, by itself nothing added, and see if that works too.

[mala]

Also, maybe look for something with beeswax in it that can help protect the skin?

[rxbeth]

Oct 21, 2014 10:30:00 GMT -5 @thadsrad said:

Oct 21, 2014 10:11:30 GMT -5 rxbeth said:

Sort of off topic...

Can he have/use coconut?

For the past few weeks, I'm using coconut oil as a moisturizer and it seems to be working so much better for her than vaseline or anything else did.

I will try this! Cetaphil works shit tons better than vaseline or aquaphor in my opinion.  I'm a huge fan.  But, maybe the oil will work better and let us wean him off the topical steroid at least.  

Kid better understand the depths of my love for him.  I fucking loathe coconut. 

For us, it was kind of a last ditch effort.  She doesn't scratch herself to bleeding but the tops of her feet and her knees were starting to get so red that they looked like they were burned after her bath.  We've seen a lot of improvement, but I'm still using the 2.5% cortisone once a day while we get things under control.  However, if I miss 1 application of coconut oil (we use twice a day) she looks a bit worse.  Darn winter weather coming.

[shevacc]

That's so great about the blood test! Thad's regimen sounds like G's. Except right now she's doing a bit better so no antibiotic cream/steroid cream currently. Does it help him to reapply lotion MOTN? It might suck for a few days but better than him scratching himself bloody. I think I'd try that plus the knee socks under long sleeved pajamas.

[thedahliharpa]

These skin care regimens sound intense. I hope you can sort out the itching so you can absolutely sure that nuts are not an issue.

[formerlyllizzyb]

I did not realize his itching was still so bad I'm sorry!

But yay to the test!

[claralou]

Poor kiddo. I'm glad the test went well. Hoping you both find a solution soon!