Red Dye Allergies?? A Mom Needs Your Help!

[belle&sebastiansmom]

Anyone here have any experience with Red Dye Allergies?

My 5 year old had an anaphylactic response earlier this week. Her body became covered with hives, to the point that she could not bend her knees or ankles. One of her eyes swelled shut. Her throat began to close off.

The only change to her diet was drinking red kool-aid at a church function.

She's an extremely picky eater, so it was very easy to pinpoint anything new or different in her diet.

She was given several injections of epi and injections of steroids and benedryl.

The first question the ER doctor asked was what had she ingested that had a large amount of red dye?

After she was stabilized he gave her a red popscicle. Her lips and chin, where the popscicle dripped, began to swell within minutes.

Both the ER doctor and her pediatrician seem to believe it was a dosage-affected red dye reaction. Meaning, this allergy was building in her system for a while but the large amount of kool-aid she drank pretty much set her off. They said that if she has another reaction to red dye than it will be even more severe. The only thing more severe would be her throat closing completely.

Both doctors said that there was not a skin allergy test for dyes. Both said I could put her through allergy testing but still probably would not get any conclusive results. Both said that I could give her more kool-aid when she was better and then see what happened. Both also said that wasn't worth the risk.

So now what to do for my baby? Completely eliminate all red dye containing products from her diet? Go see an allergist?

Have you dealt with this type of allergy? How has it affected your life?

I feel that now, especially after what happened with the popscicle, I'm going to believe it's a red dye allergy. If she should have another reaction while not consuming any red dye products, then I want her allergy tested.

This was the scariest thing I've been through as a mom, so I'm still trying to sort out my emotions and to process the information.

Thanks.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

First off go see an allergy specialist. I know your Ped means well but I would not take their advice since the doctor is not an allergy specialist.

And believe me, as an allergy person you will run into doctors that either believe that allergies do not exist (not kidding here) or just don't know enough to treat your dd properly.

Do your homework yourself and find out who is "the best" in your area.

Esp. with that reaction and advice. If she has one allergy she probably has more. Need to find out what they are ASAP!!!!! One of the clues you have is her food avoidance. It is typical for people allergic to instinctively avoid certain foods.

 

[safetymom]

http://www.nationaljewish.org/ My late husband had problems with food dyes and sulfites. This hospital worked miracles for my husband. They have a question line you can call for some answers.

 

[tiggerlover]

My son had a sensitivity to red dye, however, he did not have the hives and the reaction your child did. I personally would consult an allergist to see what they say, just in case they can offer you more information than your doctor.

What I really wanted to let you know is that red dye, especially red 40 is in a lot of products, some things you wouldn't even think would have red dye actually do. You will have to start being diligent about reading lables so you can see what contains the dye and what doesn't. A good start is if the product is not all natural and is purple, red, blue or orange....usually anything artificial in those colors have the dye.

Good luck, it will be work, but you are the best advocate for your child.

 

[LisaR]

My son is allergic to red and yellow dye along with many other food items. He had the same reaction to a red Popsicle that your child had to Kool-aid.

Allergy testing is not a science. Reactions ALWAYS trump results. My son reacted to soy in much the same way as red dye but it took a year before an allergy test ever confirmed that he was allergic. He has also tested allergic to things that he isn't allergic to.

The best advice I can offer is to find an allergist that you really like and trust. We have been through a number of them over the years. Once we find one we like, we usually end up moving and have to start all over again!

I know it is frightening to see your child react like that but it isn't that difficult to avoid dyes and other allergens. Teach your child now how to read labels. She needs to become well informed because you can not be with her all the time. Good luck.

 

[mickeymedic]

Go see an allergist. However, as others have mentioned - allergy testing is not 100% accurate. If you know for a fact that something sets her off, avoid it like the plague even if allergy tests come back negative. I have had multiple SEVERE allergic reactions to latex. However, when my allergist drew my blood to test it for the latex allergy, the results were negative. I have also had several allergic reactions to something in food items. All skin tests have come back negative. But we think we may have narrowed it down to a rare spice or preservative - since the reactions all happened when eating spicey processed food.

In your case, carry an epi pen and liquid benadryl at all times and avoid red dye. Best of luck!

 

[lovetoscrap]

In your case, carry an epi pen and liquid benadryl at all times and avoid red dye. Best of luck!

Make sure you get the DYE FREE liquid Benadryl!

 

[bumbershoot]

For a dye problem I wouldn't, and we haven't, gone to anyone. It's an easy thing to avoid. Read labels, eat nothing unlabeled (unless you know the person who made it), and so on.

DS might have problems with dyes, but we're not going ot mess around figuring it out. In his case it's behavioural, and it goes along with things that have corn syrup (and high fructose corn syrup and corn syrup solids....pretty much anything "snacky" at Disneyland is off his list, including Uncrustables, Dole Whips, and Mickey Bars!). Things that have corn syrup products also tend to have dyes, and we're just not that interested in feeding him dye-filled foods to find out for absolutely certain. And we're reading labels anyway.

So see someone, don't see someone...but whatever you do, sounds like avoiding the red dyes is in your future!

 

[dispor]

My dd is 9 years old. Earlier this year, she developed a rash around her mouth after drinking red gatorade. It went away after applying a prescription ointment, and we thought nothing more of it.

A few weeks ago, she came home from school and said she was itching all over. I lifted up her shirt and she was covered with hives!!! I asked her if she had any snacks at school. She didn't. I put a call in to the pediatrican to see what to do. While I was waiting for the doctor to call me back, my daughter started chewing a piece of bubble gum. Within a couple minutes, a hive developed on her face (there weren't any on her face when she came home from school). I checked the ingredients and it listed "FD&C Red 3." The gum is made in Canada. I have only found the Red 3 listed on items made in Canada. She hasn't had any more problems with the Red 40 that is in SO MANY foods.

Looking back, we realized that she had chewed a LOT of gum the previous day.

I'm sorry I can't offer you any good advice. Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. My daughter didn't have any trouble breathing, thank goodness, but I was worried about it all night as she slept!

I second making sure you have the dye free Benadryl. I still do not know why I even had that in the house, but I am so glad that I did!!!

Have you checked to see if it really was Kool Aid brand and, if so, what # red dye that product has in it?

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

It just goes to show how we all really need to get these dyes, chemicals, etc. out of our food and others. I'm such a strong believer in trying to eat as organic and you can. I even use makeup now that has no dyes, uses fruit pigments. Its called UltraPure. All natural, no dyes either. Can Google.

 

[emdav]

My ds would get hives from red food dye. We did some allergy treatments and he no longer get hives. If you would like to know more, pm me.

 

[belle&sebastiansmom]

Thank you everyone so far for sharing your information and stories.

 

[LuvOrlando]

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[JohnsonsLoveDisney]

Hope she gets better soon.

I would take her to see an allergist. and do some home experimenting. Give her something with the red dye, in a small amount and see what happens. Red Licorice is a good one. Thats what we have to do around here, when someone started to itch, or get hives. Our Ped specializes in Allergies so we just got lucky. Some products will effect her more than others, some may not cause a reaction at all.

Keep the dye free benedryl with you at all times. I have a bottle in my purse and one in the diaper bag. I also carry hospital strength for me.

At least it is a fairly common allergy. When I was pregnant with DD#2 I ended up in the ER after eating meatloaf and mashed potaoes, that I have made the same way a hundred times. Dr's couldnt believe it. So I tried it again, same reaction. Only I was ready for it.

 

[sunnyday123]

to you!! I know how scary things with our little ones can be!

When DD was 2 and went to a new daycare center ( previously in-home) they served red juice all the time. DD was also a complete monster every afternoon. To the point where I thought she needed medication or an exorcisim. We took her off red juice ( which she had never had previously) and all was solved.

Allergies that are not the "norm" can crop up anytime, I would definitely make a call to an allergist. I get hives from being too cold and cig smoke, in addition to normal allergies like dust, mold, etc.

Maybe taking an allergy pill daily will help offset the reaction? Good luck!

 

[TiggerStac]

Make sure you get the DYE FREE liquid Benadryl!

That's exactly what i was going to say, make sure to check for dye free products. Benadryl, tylenol, motrin.

They thought my son had some sort of a red dye 40 allergy, but then they asked if he was ok w/tylenol and he is. My son's comes out when we mix strawberry type foods and milk. example straberry ice cream, yogurt, milk..they all make him vomit, go figure. But he can have regular strawberries, etc...but he can't mix strawberry's and milk products together.

 

[java]

Here's my red dye experience. My son developed eczema. Right at 5 years old.
It took a while of trial and error for me to figure out it was related to Red Gatorade. Then I saw he reacted to certain red gummies. He would get the rash around his mouth as soon as he ate anything that contained anything close to that dye.
Thankfully it's an easy one to avoid. Once you know what you are looking for Red Dye 40 seems to be the worst culprit. (many spaghetti sauces have this in it) I am sorry your daughter is going through it. My son is now 14 and doesn't have problems with the dye anymore I guess he grew out of it.

The pediatrician was useless. The dermatologist was also not much help as they were treating the symptoms with steriods without trying to find out what was causing the symptoms. My son is also allergic to Laundry Detergent. The only one that doesn't cause him hives it Tide Free. Oh and double rinse all laundry.

Sorry I know it's scary. And thank you for posting on my thread on the peanut fear.

 

[lizbeth374]

a good friend of mine is allergic to red and yellow dye. any food or drinks with these colors she has to avoid completely or she breaks into hives and she says if she ingests enough of it, it will close up her throat.