Monday, September 5, 2011

Freedom

I am so thankful for the friends who commented and emailed about my last post on Sebby's eczema. It was so helpful to hear others experiences and be reminded that sometimes eczema isn't allergy related. After talking to Darren about it, we decided that I would go off the hypoallergenic diet right away since I'd given it a fair trial period (3 long months!) and it wasn't helping to clear up Sebby's skin.

It has been just over a week since I went off the hypoallergenic diet and I feel like a huge burden has been lifted off my shoulders. It is great to be able to eat out again as I will not have to be so hyper vigilant.

I still have a few dietary restrictions on Sebby's account since we know for sure that he allergic to: dairy, peanuts, sweet potatoes, green beans and zucchini. Avoiding dairy is still a huge challenge but I'm almost adjusted to it by this point.

I have learned a lot through this process. I gained a lot of respect for people who have dietary restrictions of various types. I also experienced how good it feels to eat healthy all the time. As a result, I am making some changes to my diet.

- At home I'm going to continue to eat gluten free, using gluten free flour baking and buying gluten free pasta, oats, etc... for home. Thankfully, it is really easy and affordable to get gluten free flour and other ingredients in the UK.

- I'm going to continue to eat lots of fruit and vegetables and less processed food (like cereal) than previously.

And amazingly, Sebby's eczema has improved since I stopped the diet! Crazy, I know! We're not sure if it's a coincidence, if he's growing out of the eczema or if the tincture from the herbalist has started to kick in. Whatever it is, we're so thankful to see his face ALMOST back to normal!




Thanks again, friends!

2 comments:

Sarah said...

I'm so glad to hear about this big change! When S had some rashes on his face I mentioned to the doctor that I was wondering if it was something he was eating and she said in her medical opinion that a link between diet and eczema has been been conclusively proven so she didn't think I needed to go that route. I was kind of surprised to hear this but I didn't change anything he was eating and he seems to have "outgrown" those two spots on his own, as well as the rough patches on his body. They were never near the problem poor Sebby had but I am encouraged to hear that maybe what she said about it not being food linked might be true. I never like to say it has to be so for everyone which is why I would never have mentioned what my doc said if your diet had helped. Can't imagine the challenges you've faced but it is so encouraging to hear you making the best of it. I have heard and seen great things come from going gluten free and would love to perhaps try it some day. So happy for you and for Seb!

Emily Morrice said...

WOW.
That is great news about Seb's skin! I wonder if it's just his age? Lily's tapered off around his age or a month or so after...

That's great that you feel confident in going off the diet - I think you gave it a hero's attempt for those 3 months but if nothing changed, why live without some of your favourites? I know how much you love food :D

Enjoy eating what you love again AND your son's skin clearing up!