Goldie Putrym - The Dairy Allergy Handbook

The Dairy Allergy Handbook

A step-by-step guide to tests,

treatments, safety, travel and more

Copyright Goldie Putrym, 2022

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review.

First edition October 2021

Published by Harding & Leslie

For S.A. and A.S.

You are my reason

DISCLAIMER

T his book is not intended as a substitute for medical advice . It is for general information purposes only. The statements made are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition or disease. The author is not a (or the readers) healthcare provider. The reader must consult with their own physician or healthcare specialist regarding the suggestions and recommendations made in this book.

Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this book was correct at press time and, while this book is designed to provide accurate information in regard to the subject matter covered, the author and publisher assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any other inconsistencies herein and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. The author and publisher are not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis resulting from the use of this book.

This book provides content related to physical and/or mental health issues. As such, use of this book implies your acceptance of this disclaimer.

PREFACE

What stands in the way becomes the way.

Marcus Aurelius, Stoic philosopher, Emperor of Rome 161-180

O ur first vacation as a family was going fairly well. We were at a resort in the Dominican Republic. Sun, sand, sea, and a stroller. We hadnt visited the swimming pools or the beach once, but at least it was a break from the snow at home and the constant focus on our babys endless eczema-care routine.

The food options were diverse at the resort with two buffets and eight restaurants on offer. We decided to try out the Mexican restaurant that evening but once we arrived, there was a long wait for a table. Baby was getting very fussy, very fast. Even when we were seated nothing would soothe her. Nursing, rocking, toys nada . She kept trying to reach for my bread roll.

I had decided before the trip that we would not be introducing any new foods while away from home but eventually, at my wits end and with a stomach bug brewing, I gave in and handed the bread to her. Barely seven months old, she only had a few teeth and just managed a tiny nibble before getting bored of it. The whining and crying resumed in full force. I gave up and went back to our room with her.

Back in the hotel room, I tried to get her more comfortable and while trying to nurse her yet again I noticed a few mosquito bites on the side of her neck. Then I saw them on the other side. And on her stomach and her back. These were not mosquito bites. They were hives. She was having an allergic reaction!

By the time we got to the hospital, she was so swollen that her chin looked like it connected straight onto her chest. No neck in sight. I used all the Spanish I could remember to explain the events to the doctor, and several hours and several injections later we were back safely at our hotel. Except we no longer felt safe. Food nearly killed our baby.

Chances are if youve picked up this book, you know this feeling.

With all the fanfare given to peanut and tree nut allergies, you could be forgiven for thinking like we did at the time that they are the only serious ones. Not so. It turned out my daughter was allergic to wheat. And then later to dairy, eggs, chicken, tree nuts and sesame. At one point, after a particularly bad reaction for which we couldnt pinpoint the cause, we even investigated an allergy to latex.

I was overwhelmed, confused, but also intrigued. What was going on? I spent the next few years reading research papers and books, stalking allergists (not literally, obviously) and attending seminars on food allergies and eczema. It became my mission to understand the two conditions. The more I researched them, the more interesting things got.

I wanted to understand allergies well enough to keep my child safe and also explain the condition easily and coherently enough to advocate for her (and others like her). In the process, I began helping other people understand eczema and allergies, writing articles and giving talks to parenting groups and schools. Every time I heard of a child dying from food allergies, it hit me hard but it strengthened my resolve to educate more people. These tragedies were unnecessary and often avoidable.

My family started off with severe allergies to six foods and heat-induced anaphylaxis. In the last seven years, we have seen close to 20 anaphylactic reactions, undergone several oral food challenges and years of oral immunotherapy to dairy, eggs and wheat. My baby has now outgrown those three allergies and for her seventh birthday we had our first-ever party with store-bought food! Although the journey has been harrowing at times, my children are thriving. Meanwhile, Ive grown tremendously. What once stopped my life in its tracks is now my passion, my work, and my mission.

My hope is that this book, which has been years in the making, will help you on your allergy journey. It brings together explanations of scientific research and practical tips on living with dairy allergy. It is the manual I wish I had had while navigating the allergy minefield in the first few years.

In the words of Mary Ann Evans, the English novelist who went by the pen name George Eliot, What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult to [sic] each other?

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK