Friday, January 11, 2013
Chocolate Allergy?
Yesterday was quite an interesting day! To understand why it was interesting, I need to back up and explain some background. When I was in 2nd grade, I broke out in hives all over my body and my hands and feet were so swollen it hurt to walk or write. My mom immediately took me to a doctor and after looking at what I had eaten that day, it was concluded that it was most likely a chocolate allergy. Sure enough, when the chocolate was removed from my diet, the rash went away completely. I had two more encounters with chocolate in my life that resulted in allergic reactions, the most recent of which was in high school. I ate a pecan tart assuming there was no chocolate and later found that there were 2 chocolate chips down in the bottom of the tart. I immediately started freaking out and at that time they decided to issue me an epi-pen. I honestly don't know how much of that reaction was actually to the chocolate and how much of it was a panic attack for realizing I ate something that I had stayed away from the majority of my life for fear of a worse reaction. That brings you up to speed with my allergy issues regarding chocolate. I am extremely OCD about chocolate because I honestly don't know if I would only get a rash (a bad one mind you) or if I would go into anaphalyxsis. I read every label for beauty products (cocoa butter), BBQ sauce and spice packages (cocoa powder), and I never eat desserts, chili not prepared by me, or ethnic foods that I am not used to eating (mole sauce for example has cocoa in it, I just order what I know is safe). This is just a way of life for me and I haven't really ever known any different. So, why was yesterday interesting? I had an appointment with an allergist because my doctor wanted to know what all items I might be allergic to (I know of 2 medicines and chocolate). I assumed they would just test me for other medicines or something, but they ended up doing a food allergy skin test. The doctor was surprised to hear about the chocolate allergy because it is extremely rare and wanted to see if I really am allergic to that, or if it was something in chocolate (for example milk). I was not allergic to anything on the skin test including chocolate. SAY WHAT? This doesn't mean I am officially not allergic, but it does mean I need further testing to know for sure. I am going to have a blood (RAST) test and then if that is negative, I believe I will slowly reintroduce chocolate back into my life. I think they will have me eat a little in the office to test my reaction if everything shows negative. I am certain this is not the reason why my doctor sent me to the allergist, but it is a great secondary result of this visit. I am absolutely ecstatic to think that I might not have to live my life with the fear of eating something and having a reaction...without having to give away the lotions that come in perfume giftsets or stuff in my Birchbox...and that I might be able to eat stuff that I once loved as a kid! I might gain 10 pounds if it is proven I am not allergic! haha! We will see what happens, but I am excited at the possibility that I have outgrown the allergy!
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I'm not like a chocolate lover but I do enjoy a good piece of cake now and then, so I'm happy for you C: but it's better late than never right? you might be able to eat all the stuff so.. yay!
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