“Hi Courtney. Welcome to food skin allergy testing. We’re going to prick you with all of these needles today, ok?”
Yikes!
Luckily, this round of allergy testing only involved the tiny prick needles on my forearms, rather than having the big needles injected into my upper arms. It really wasn’t painful at all, and thankfully they had a TV in the room so I could watch a little Food Network while I waited for my 15 minutes.
After the 15 minutes were up, here’s a look at the ‘ol battlefield…
Definitely not as bad as last time…
Round 1: Round 2:
…but still not great results.
The Verdict:
Basically, I don’t have a full-out allergy to any particular food, but I do have a handful of things that I tested positive for:
- cashews
- hazelnuts
- chili pepper
- mustard
- lactalbumin (a whey protein found in cow’s milk – which proves my hunch on the whey protein powder)
And then, are you ready for these two…?
- CARROTS
- OATS
Say WHAAAAAT?!?!
I nearly fell out of my chair when the doctor told me that. I think I’m still in shock and it hasn’t quite sunk in. I mean, really…a life without OATMEAL?!? What the heck is a girl to do?!?!?!
Interesting enough…
What I did find interesting, however, is that many of the things I tested positive for above can be directly correlated to my high allergy to pollens and molds. Apparently, there are certain foods that the body will identify as pollens and molds, hence the reason I could be getting a reaction. For example, my reaction to various tree nuts could be due, in part, to various cross pollinations.
(Hopefully that makes sense…I tried to take in as much info from the doc as I could!)
I had already been contemplating immunotherapy (weekly allergy shots) to try to help my environmental allergies, but the doctor said that it’s possible that the shots could also help my sensitivity to the foods as well. I’m hoping to set up the immunotherapy sessions ASAP!
So, for now, I intend to try to eliminate anything from the above list from my diet to see how I feel.
However, that will have to start tomorrow, seeing as though I immediately picked up a skinny caramel macchiato from Starbucks after my appointment this afternoon…
Oops.
****************************
Enough allergy talk…let’s move on to dinner!
I’d been looking forward to cooking up this stellar Potato-Corn Chowder all day!
Yum!! This was another Cooking for Two recipe that I found on Pillsbury’s website. It was really simple to make, and the flavor was fantastic!
And, the nutrition facts aren’t too shabby either! You can click here to check out the recipe.
Definitely keeping this one in the recipe binder!
************************
Gotta run tonight…I have a batch of cupcakes that need finishing up!
Oh yeah, and I have to figure out what in the world I’m going to eat tomorrow!
Question for the Evening:
What is one food you would never be able to live without?
Courtney @ The Granola Chronicles says
Oooh, ice cream. Hands down!
briana says
just one? I couldn’t live without peanut butter hand down, but there are many other things like bread, yogurt, and oats!
Kristen @ That Hoosier Girl says
Cheese – I just wouldn’t be able to handle not being able to eat cheese. :)
Cute-Ella says
I had that allergy test done last summer and have a similar thing going on that when I eat certain foods, I get an itchy feeling in my mouth (Oral Allergy Syndrome) I didn’t test positive to any foods, but my body is so allergic to pollens, trees, and grasses that it gets confused when the proteins start to break down in the foods that are close to those. Also that when I’m exposed to more than one allergen at a time, it doesn’t just “add” the reactions up, it will “multiply” them or react exponentially. Allergies suck. http://cuteellaisbold.wordpress.com/2010/05/14/allergic-hai-ku-part-two/ That’s where I wrote about mine.
Good luck with the foods, I’m not sure what you’ll do about Oats!
Melissa says
Ouch! Glad it wasn’t as painful as it looks. And good girl for getting yourself Starbucks! You’ve gotta take care of yourself when you get bummer news like that!
I definitely couldn’t go without chocolate. Or maybe I could, but I’m pretty sure I would have to replace it with something equally sugary & decadent!
Melissa says
Ooh, and thanks for posting so many great recipes lately! I love the smaller portions! :)
Courtney says
You betcha!! ;)
Paige says
Definitely couldn’t live without bread – Celiac disease is like my worst nightmare. Can you still have things like barley, quinoa, etc? Or are those too similar to oatmeal? Because both of those grains are LEGIT substitutes for oatmeal. :)
Courtney says
Hmmmm, I would think so…I didn’t hear anything about them today. Maybe it’s time to do a little experimenting. Thanks for the tip!
Liz (Little Bitty Bakes) says
Oats?! That’s crazy. Hopefully you can find a way to still eat ’em!
Yena says
Oh noo – oats!? Sorry to hear that! I’m sure that won’t stop you from enjoying those delicious oats :)
One food? That’s a hard one. PASTA.
Cynthia (It All Changes) says
I feel ya on those tests. Good luck Court…we can commiserate :-)
I really would miss eggs. Although I miss my greek yogurt a lot right now.
Courtney says
Thanks, Cynthia! We’ll have to chat tomorrow at dinner. :)
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says
Noooo that’s horrible!! I hope they get it figured out so you can eat them again!!
I couldn’t live without chocolate. Seriously, I’d die.
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
I’m so sorry!!!! Living without otats would be horrible for me. If my doctor told me tomorrow that I’m allergic to bananas, oatmeal, or peanut butter, I’d laugh and tell him to get me some great allergy meds because I’m not giving it up.
Holly says
Whoa! That is ALOT of shots! Good grief. I was freaking out because I had to get two today & two tomorrow…but 12?! Yikes. Tomorrow when I’m taking the other two, I’m going to think of you & all of these 12 shots & just remind myself that it’s only 2 that I have to get!! :)
That is NUTS about the Oats thing. I’m not big into eating oatmeal..I don’t know what happened..think I got sick of it. But I know how much you love it!
I hope that you can get those allergy shots ASAP!
& hope you’re having a better week :D
Chelsea says
You should look into the blood type diet. It’s based on the opinion that every blood type reacts differently to specific foods. I read the book and it was very convincing. I plan on trying it fully…after our honeymoon.
Katy (The Singing Runner) says
I could not live without roasted veggies. They are my candy. ;)
Or sugar cookies… because those are amazing! :D
Karen says
Wow I can’t believe you are allergic to oats! I think I would go crazy if I was allergic to oats!! Did you ever feel like you had any type of reaction when you ate oats? I hope some more testing provides you with some better answers! Good luck with the immunotherapy!
Courtney says
Not quite a reaction, I just get horrible, bloated stomach pains very frequently (pretty much at least once a day).
Lauren @ Hungry Dancer says
Those allergy tests look a little painful!!! I don’t think it’s possible to live without oats!!!
Danielle says
Yikes, oats?! I would try barley, quinoa and other grains if you can. Quinoa, greek yogurt & fruit is a great breakfast to try. I have an allergy test this week and I’m worried what my results will be, I have a feeling I’m allergic to milk but we will see. Hopefully you will start feeling better, best of luck Courtney!
marla says
Sorry to see you had to go through all those yucky allergy tests. The potato soup sure looks great though ;) Love your guest post at Itty Bitty Bakes!
Grace says
You poor thing! That looks awful! I think I’d have a hard time having a gluten allergy even if there are a lot of alternate products…I love potato chowders and yours looks delish!
Colleen @ The Lunchbox Diaries says
I’m sorry you had to get all those test & that the results weren’t really what you were hoping for :( One food I couldn’t live without? Bread. I’m a carbaholic ;)
Meredith says
Dark Chocolate. definitley!
I had a scare recently where my doctor told me I had a gluten allergy and I freaked out. After a zillion tests, it was false, but I know how you feel for sure. Here’s a great oatmeal alternative. As much as I love my oatmeal, this recipe is a great go-to to change it up! It’s from Betheny Frankel’s website and first book!
http://www.bethenny.com/2010/05/13/healthy-brown-rice-breakfast/
Emma (Sweet Tooth Runner) says
NOOO aww girl I feel for you!! I wouldn’t be able to live without oats :( BUT like you said that treatment should mean that you’ll be able to eat them no problemo again soon :)
If I ever became allergic to chocolate though, I honestly think I’d die. Not possible!!
Stacie says
If someone were to tell me I was allergic to either peanut butter or apples, I would probably rule life to not be wort living.
Stacie says
If someone were to tell me I was allergic to either peanut butter or apples, I would probably rule life to not be worth living.
CaSaundra says
Oo man, I am not sure I could do all those needles–I usually have trouble with just one! :-/
Jess@atasteofconfidence says
ugh allergy testing is the WORST! i feel your pain.
Stephanie @cookinfanatic says
Ugh that does not look fun :( You def deserved that coffee! I don’t think I could live without ice cream, bananas and oatmeal… random though haha?
Shayla says
All things ice cream and yogurt I definitely could not live without!!
Ally (oatsandspice) says
OATMEAL – ohhh Courtney I’m so sorry… so does that mean you are allergic to like oat bran and everything? I probably should get one of those tests done – I have actually never been tested!
I bet you will enjoy these snack I am giving away in my giveaway this week – I bet your not allergic :) Check it out if you get a chance: http://oatsandspice.wordpress.com/2011/02/11/peeling-it-fresh-giveaway/
Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy says
I get allergy shots too! I remember the day I was tested…not fun, but it was nice to know what was causing reactions. My three big ones are cats, mold, and grass. Grass is the biggest bummer in the spring and summer…I can barely go for a walk outside without looking like I’m crying!
Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy says
causing my reactions*