Seasonal Allergies and Allergy to Fish

Updated on April 14, 2009
A.N. asks from Cranford, NJ
9 answers

My son is 14 months old and has been diagnosed with a severe egg and peanut allergy, and mild allergy to soy and wheat. We are quite careful about the foods we give him, mostly things he's had previously to avoid reactions. Last night, we gave him salmon for the first time and he had a serious reaction. He's had plenty of flounder/cod/white fish over the last 7 months so I didn't expect him to have a problem with any kind of fish. Has anyone heard of someone being allergic to one kind but not the other?

Also, he's had a runny nose for 2 weeks and has been sneezy, also with a slight facial rash the last 2 days. I've been suffering the same due to seasonal allergies. Can someone his age have seasonal allergies and would it be normal to have a slight rash(that's where his allergic reactions first show up). I can't think of any foods or things that we are doing differently that would be causing this. Thanks!

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R.E.

answers from New York on

remember when you first started feeding your bably and you gave one thing for a few days before introducing something else new. try that. also, different fish have differenct things in it. it makes perfect sense that he may be allergic to slamon and not some other fish.
also, ever try going to an allergist. it might help , or better yet, a homeopathic or holistic dr. after you get the results from the allergist.

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L.R.

answers from New York on

My daughter was very sick and asthmatic every October and April since she was a baby. Her pediatrician insisted that she was too little for allegies (she was still nursing). I finally took her to an experienced pediatric allergist in Westfield, and found her symptoms were caused by severe dairy and dust mite allergies. Besides avoiding offending foods, we had to dilligently wash bedding, stuffed animals, and remove drapery and carpeting in her bedroom. (The bedroom is the most important room to remediate as they spend the most amount of time there). I hope you can find a good pediatric allergist who can give you the guidance you need with your son.

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R.Q.

answers from New York on

Every fish has a different make-up, just like every plant does, so yes it's totally possible to be allergic to one kind of fish and not others. Most allergy tests only cover a small variety of fish and nuts and these are not done individually, so if your son only reacts to one kind which was not tested for, then it would not have shown up on the test. Also, be aware that if the tests are positive, many allergists find it easier to tell their patients that they are allergic to "fish" or "tree-nuts" and have them avoid the whole category rather than testing each individually to find out which ones they are allergic to. Also, some people react to certain food items when their immune system is being stressed (teething, illness, in combination with other allergens or following a separate reaction).

If the salmon you gave him was not 100% fresh, plain salmon, carefully check any and all ingredients in any marine/breading/oils etc used on it for his other allergens. Definitely consult your allergist regarding your son's reaction to the salmon and hold off giving it to him again. If you decide to try to re-test/re-introduce salmon in the future, consider setting up an in-office trial with your allergist.

I'm not sure on the seasonal allergy/rash combo, but it's probably possible. Double check all labels for changes in the ingredients of any processed food items you may be using. Also, look into any pesticide/herbicide spraying that has been done in your neighborhood recently as well as any changes that may have occurred in the ingredients in your cleaning/personal care products--especially laundry detergent and fabric softeners.

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K.N.

answers from New York on

Hi A.,

It's certainly possible for your little one to have seasonal allergies. My son started to experieince horrible springtime allergies when he was 15-16 mos. I have a fabulous allergist who has given us a great combination of meds to start prior to the season and it keeps his symptoms at bay. I'm not sure about the rash you mentioned . . .

Good luck and let me know if you need a referral to our allerigst. We are in the Princeton, NJ area.

---K.
____@____.com

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M.L.

answers from New York on

Yes... my mother is allergic to bluefish and clams, and that is it. So strange, huh?

And the other ladies are also right about seasonal allergies. I have three kids, and the two with food allergies started in with seasonal allergies even earlier... between 1.5 and 2 years old--before some of the food allergies even showed up. My daughter (who doesn't have food allergies) was 3.5 or 4 years old before the seasonal allergies started.

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L.W.

answers from Albany on

As to the fish - yes, my husband tested allergic to salmon, but no other fish. I'm not sure why, but yes, it is possible. (And it's not the mercury, either, because other fish (like tuna) which tend (also) to be higher in mercury don't bother him...)

Our older son started his seasonal allergies in his second summer. It's not common, but if you (and especially if you and DH) have seasonal allergies, his odds increase dramatically. The first year we used air filters and kept the windows closed as much as possible (running the a/c...), and the second year (after he ended up with impetigo twice...) I added claritin to his morning vitamins from about May 1 - July 1. Check with your MD first - he's the one who recommended the claritin. (FWIW - the following year, we had to use Singulair to control the allergies, and last year he was on it for about six weeks also. So far (KNOCK WOOD) so good this year...)

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B.D.

answers from New York on

Hi A.,

I have two girls with a similar situation. My best advice would be to go see an allergist. My older daughter has "grown" out of her allergies, however my 7 year old has not. So it was a bit frightening everytime she touched, ate, or put something in her mouth. We took her to an allergist- she was tested on almost everything- & now we know what to give her. Hope this helps :)
Good Luck !

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R.P.

answers from Rochester on

A.-- when my youngest son was only 9 months old he had an allergy to the pollen from grass and trees in the Spring. His eyes swelled shut, nose ran constantly and was miserable for a few weeks when we had him tested. That is the only thing that ever bothered him- he is now 35 years old and that is the only thing he has ever reacted to which is good considering both his sister and I take allergy shots every week for almost everything in the world!!!He works as a landscaper and Spring is awful for him but this is what he loves to do. I am a grandmother to six beautiful children who I love to spoil. R.

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A.G.

answers from New York on

Sorry no help with the fish allergie but another big allergie posibility is shell fish. Lobster, crayfish, crabs,etc all have iodine in there outer shell and some are very allergic to it. I am one of them and if it touches me i turn into a giant itchy hive. I for obvious reasons don't eat it but am told that if I did it could be really seroius really fast! I'm sorry to add 1 more thing to worry about but please be careful. We love the chinese restaurant but I have to stick to things I know DOES NOT have any shellfish in it. You could have him tested by an allergist and help rule out or in the things that would be a problem. My friends children have some allergies and she had them all tested for the different things. It helped her so much to be able to know what would hurt or not her kids. ask your doctor about it. It may be worth the time to get some real answers. A.

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