Allergies Community

Did they do the skin test or order a blood test? Have you tried keeping a food diary to see if you can pinpoint which foods cause his hives or even is eczema itching. My daughter (3) has severe eczema and when we took her in for her blood test at age 2 - she was allergic to everything. We did find that all dairy products led to scratching/flare of her eczema. Elimination of that helped a lot but we are still working to discover what else (dust, grass, dirt, pollen or other foods) still cause her eczema.

They did both a blood and skin test (twice!) I know the foods that cause his hives but am not sure what causes the eczema. He doesn't get bad flare ups from it, it's just constantly there.

Dear JenelleA and ryanandleigh,

I have often encountered patients who have very, very sensitive skin that will turn red, become quite irritated, and may even appear like hives, particularly in areas where food or other skin irritants touch them. One common possibility that these children have is that if they are scratched lightly, it can cause them to have a red wheal (or bump) that looks like a hive (you could try it with your fingernail or a key, lightly). This sensitive skin is sometimes found to be a condition called Dermatographism or Dermographism. Patients with this have very sensitive skin to many things that may irritate the skin. Oftentimes, patients may eat something that has natural food acids or other food substances on them that will irritate the skin. They seem fine eating the food itself, but if it rubs on the side of their mouth, it will turn red. I commonly hear that tomato sauces, citrus or acidic fruits, strawberries, and other things that might be sour (and many other things like very sugary foods) can lead to the redness on the face or bottom. When they have a stool (particularly if it is loose), the bottom can be quite red if the diaper isn't immediately changed. Often they seem to enjoy eating the foods (like spaghetti with tomato sauce or strawberries).

If they are tolerating the foods and are not having an immediate reaction to it, it might just be his sensitive skin. When your son gets the hives on his face, does he notice them? Do they bother him, or is he happy as a clam? If he doesn't seem bothered by them, it might be more likely a sensitive skin issue (especially if he's happy). I would bring this up with your doctor and discuss ways to keep his skin well moisturized to avoid irritating it, while being able to give him the foods you'd like to.
Good Luck!