Enter the Allergist

A had a rash after playing in the starfish tidepool at Sea World, and the first aid person there said that A may have an iodine allergy. We took him to the pediatrician, who referred us to a pediatric allergist to get him tested.

We saw her yesterday. The pediatrician's office had one of those large plastic mini-houses to play in and lots of riding toys, so A had fun while we were waiting. The allergist told us that actual iodine allergies are pretty rare, and it's usually a reaction to the protein in the animal itself. She didn't have anenome or starfish to test, but she tested all the seafood she had: lobster, crab, shrimp, scallops, cod, salmon, clams, oysters, etc. She added in dust mites, peanuts, cat, and dog as a bonus since he's had croup recently.

He ran around the office shirtless with sixteen little dots of oil on his back. Sure enough, a couple of them welled up almost immediately. I was relieved, so relieved, that he could run around the office instead of trying to keep a toddler sitting on a table for fifteen minutes.

A is allergic to cats and dogs. Yes, just like his mom. I felt very badly about it. We're not getting rid of the cats, but I felt terribly irresponsible sitting there not even pretending like I was considering getting rid of the cats to the doctor.

She suggested that we watch A for any lower respiratory diseases, get a HEPA filter for his room, and follow up in six months to see how he's doing. Oh, and that we stay out of the tidepools.

I'm glad he's not allergic to any seafood and I'm really glad he's steered clear of the peanut allergy. I guess that means I can start him on a PBJ now. He just got tested for all the things we hadn't introduced and is free and clear. Maybe a PB & shrimp sandwich?