The allergy clinic...

As most of you know, our Phoebe has food allergies (milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame). She also has had issues with asthma, eczema, and seasonal allergies. Every year, we have her blood tested to check the level of antibodies (IgE) to a particular set of allergens. This year, I was hoping that she would demonstrate lower levels and perhaps be cleared to eat more foods. I totally neglected to have them test for common pollens and other environmental allergens, but as it turns out, the clinic did it anyway. Super awesome!

Unfortunately, her blood tests didn't seem to yield much hope. Nothing seemed to have dropped to a low enough level to warrant trying to incorporate them into her diet. And the environmental allergies were pretty bad too, but we knew that about our Sneezy Phoebs. In any case, the pediatrician suggested that we go to the allergy clinic anyway, and I'm so happy that we did!

Phoebe's blood test results

So, today was our appointment at the allergy clinic. Aside from having to park in BFE, and having Phoebe drag me along which seemed to really irritate my stretched round ligaments, we finally found the clinic, which is hidden deep in the halls of the "most state of the art [American] military hospitals in the world" according to an Al Jazeera reporter.  One of the cool things about going to this clinic is that I had a friend there! We met almost a year ago while taking prerequisite science courses at the local community college here. She and I both share a passion for hard work and good grades. So, since our last class together ended in December, I have missed chatting with her and hanging out. Somehow she managed to be able to help us out.

I spoke with the doctor at length about Phoebe's allergy history. Starting with her eczema (5 weeks) and her first allergic reaction (~8 months) to outgrowing soy and wheat (~3 years) and sneezing all the time. He had a glimmer of hope to offer us with regard to eggs, so that was cool. Apparently, Phoebe may be one of the many kids who can tolerate small amounts of cooked eggs. So, we signed up for a "muffin test," and we will be doing that in a few short weeks. We also talked at length about allergy shots. I think those are definitely in our future, but there are several factors to consider when undertaking such a long and involved process. We haven't talked as a family very much about it, but it seems that it's best to put off shots at least until we PCS to our next duty station. I'm cool with that. Phoebe is allergic to many grasses and the FDA has just approved a sublingual tablet for grass allergies that works much in the way an allergy shot does. (There are no allergy shots for foods.) We may begin that tablet before we move and using it will not interfere with our plan to begin shots in the next few years.

Then, we did some skin tests for environmental allergens (this is what made our shot conversation relevant). Phoebe was so terribly brave. There were tears, but no fighting or screaming, which is always appreciated by staff, other patients, and of course parents alike. We then passed the time playing games and eating candy (Thanks, MB!).

Moments after application.

a few minutes after application

Ready to read the results

My good sport, playing a matching game while we wait.

 I'm so happy that after what seemed like totally disappointing news from her 5 year well-check that we're now looking at finding some relief from the environmental allergies and restrictions in her diet. Wish us luck on our blueberry muffin challenge!

Have you, dear reader, had any experience with allergy shots? The world of treatment for environmental allergies is all new to me (aside from Claritin, etc.).