Friday, January 30, 2009

No Eggs

I found out just over a year ago that my 2-year-old is allergic to eggs. I had him tested on New Years' eve 2007 after he'd broken out in a rash a couple times after eating eggs. Turned out he was highly allergic to the yolk and white. I was told to avoid everything that has eggs in it for an entire year and then get him tested again. We also have to carry an epi-pen with us.
For the next year, he could not have cakes, most cookies, some pastas, stuff with breading, and many other things that contain eggs. It was difficult to explain to my then 1-year-old that he couldn't have those things he wanted. He didn't understand. I would tell him "You can't have this. It has eggs in it." Even though he didn't get it, I wanted him to know why. Especially since I wasn't sure how long he would have to avoid this stuff. I wanted him to learn that he can't have things with eggs in them. I also get flu shots for my kids each year. This year, he lucked out. The ingredients for the vaccine are grown inside eggs, so he didn't get one.
All that avoidance has paid off. I had him retested at the end of last year and he is now mildly allergic to egg whites and should no longer be allergic to the yolks. Hurray! We still have another year of avoiding things made with eggs and then we'll get him tested again. However, I can make my own stuff and just use the yolks. That's pretty exciting around here.
I also think he is starting to understand. Yesterday he had a pack of gum in his hands. I asked him if I could have some. This is how the conversation went.
Me: "Can mommy have a piece?"
Zach: "No, has eggs in it."

6 comments:

Six-Pack Momma said...

That's cute that he understands.

Mindy said...

so cute.. I hope it will ALL be over next year!

Elisa and Tyler said...

Oh yes! When did you get a blog and why did I not know about it?!

Rachael said...

That has to be hard. It was hard for me to avoid glutens with Kimberly. So I kinda know how hard it can make life having to avoid things in foods. So do you just buy the powdered yolk stuff to cook with?

Oh and was that your sister I saw you with at Target? you look almost the same from the back. With the long straight hair.

BookwormMom said...

You did sooooo good to avoid the eggs for a year...I'm so glad it paid off. Now, I will pray that another year will eliminate the allergy all together!

Mark & Stacie said...

That is sooo funny! Kids are way smarter than we give them credit for. Hopefully the next year will find him allergy free!