Aww, Nuts!

I went to the allergist this month (yes, the pediatric allergist) and had a pregnancy follow up.  He said my body is still in the "honeymoon period" when you move to a new area and that it hasn't decided what it's going to do about the Michigan pollen.  So we'll have to just monitor me over the next year or so.  He wants to hold off on the skin scratch test cause we would have to redo it anyways.  Jake had his scratch test cause he was already having allergy symptoms, unlike me.

I'll admit - I love being allergy/asthma free (ok, not truly free, but probably the closest to free I've ever been in my life).  I still don't go outdoors (why play with fire?) and stay away from known problems.  But I like not having watery, itchy eyes all summer!  And I love breathing!!!

The allergist... let's call him Dr. Leo (cause that's his name) said we could do a food allergy blood test.  The RAST (Radioallergosorbent test) is a way of measuring the amount of IgE antibody in the blood stream made against a specific allergen. RAST tests and allergy skin tests give similar information. Both identify IgE antibody (allergy antibody) against materials you might be allergic to.  RAST tests and skin tests each have their advantages and disadvantages.  It doesn't provide the whole picture for your allergies but helps point you in the right direction.  RAST tests report IgE made against specific foods in units known as kU/L. Higher levels indicate a higher chance you will have a reaction if you eat the food. Lower levels indicate a lower chance you will have a reaction.  For example, a score of 1 kU/L means that about 50% of the time you'll have a reaction to it.  There are other factors that effect your allergies though (like how well your immune system is working when you are exposed to it, etc).  People can have anaphylaxis reactions with RAST scores less than 0.35 KU/L. 

Class 0 (No significant allergy - scores less than 0.35 kU/L)

• Cow's Milk
• Crab
• Shrimp
• Lobster
• Walnut
• Brazil Nut
• Cashew
• Pecan
• Pine Nut, Pignoles

Class 1 (High IgE - scores listed below in kU/L)

• Almond (0.36)
• Sweet Chestnut (0.37)
• Pistachio (0.39)
• Hazelnut (0.61)

Class 2 (Higher IgE - scores listed below in kU/L)

• Macadamia Nut (0.72)
• Sesame Seed (0.93)
• Peanut (0.98)

I was hoping that I would be able to eat some nuts and that I've been magically healed, but no luck!  He said with as many nuts that showed up I shouldn't eat any - even Class 0 nuts.  Especially cause they usually have cross contamination in factories.  Darn it!  I was so surprised that Macadamia, Pistatio, and Sesame Seeds showed up - and so high!  I always thought those were safe for me and I have eaten them many times.  YIKES!

He did tell me that I could go ahead and eat seafood.  Thanks. *sarcasm* Jake is excited and wants to celebrate by going to Red Lobster.   Yuck!

I asked Dr. Leo about places that cook with 100% Peanut Oil (like Chick-Fil-A).  He said that they take out the peanut protein which causes reactions.  The FDA has stated that 100% peanut oil has not been shown to show any allergic reactions.  But peanut oil in food (not used for deep frying, like in ice cream) probably isn't 100% pure and therefore cannot be trusted.

I told Dr. Leo that he's going to get me all fixed with my asthma/allergies then I'll probably get pregnant and mess everything up.  Then he said "at least you'll be exalted in heaven with all those kids."  haha!  Just reminded me that he used to work with the Mormons. ;-)