Last night Catherine didn't sleep well. I wasn't surprised and didn't think much of it. She is fourteen months and teething. She woke up every hour on the hour until 3:00am. At which time she finally slept for six hours straight.
This morning around 9:00 am I heard her call for me. Her voice seemed cracked and strained. When I reached her room, I immediately noticed she was having a reaction. Catherine's left eye was swollen and she had several red splotches on her face. As she whimpered, I administered 1/2 teaspoon of Benadryl and then phoned my pediatricians office.
While I waited for the nurse to call me back, I went over and over all of the things we eat yesterday. Nothing stood out. Nothing new. I frantically rechecked labels in my refrigerator to see if I had missed something. Nothing. Nothing we consumed contained any of Catherine's known allergens. I was stumped.
When the nurse called me back, she reassured me that I did nothing wrong. She told me to keep an eye on Catherine. I was also instructed to give her Benadryl every six hours until the hives and swelling go down and to watch for trouble breathing.
I am thankful that at this time most of the swelling is gone. I didn't have to use an epi-pen and Catherine seems fine at the time. Today has defiantly been an emotional roller coaster. I have been up and down filled with fear. Filled with doubt and guilt wondering what I gave my baby that made her sick.
As parents, we do all we can to protect our children. To ensure that they are happy and healthy. As a food allergy mom, I am learning that you can take all of the precaution in the world, but you can never know for sure.
Are you a parent dealing with food allergies? If so, how do you deal with the ups and downs?
Oh no :( After reading some of your posts my heart goes out to you. It's hard enough taking care of babies & than food allergies to boot. I'm praying you are able to figure out what it is that made her break out.
ReplyDeleteMy son had horrible eczema issues when he was an infant and fortunately it dissipated, although he can eat eggs just fine, if it touches his face it turns red and rash like.
Maybe the hives had something to do with something she may have touched rather than ate?
Emily, you're right. Having a child with food allergies is definitely challenging. Catherine broke out again yesterday. I'm not sure what it is.
DeleteI'm thinking now the hives may be caused by a contact allergy or even something in the air.
Keep us in prayer,
:(. I certainly will do that.
Delete