More Allergies

Back in February Pickle had a pretty bad reaction to the Stuffed Peppers I made for dinner. I had decided it was something in the actual Campbell's V8 juice since that was the only thing different I used. Normally I use the cheap store brand stuff and he has no problems with it. In fact, I made stuffed peppers last week with the  cheap store brand stuff and he had no problems.

In late March I finally got in touch with Campbell's about it. I asked if I could have the list of "natural ingredients" used in the making of the V8 juice. The answer was of course NO! However, I was told if his allergist called, Campbell's would release that information to her for testing purposes. So began the obnoxious and long battle of actually getting the ingredients! Campbell's was not willing to even give up that information to Pickle's allergist! Even though I had been told by 3 different people it would be no problem, the lady from Campbell's kept telling the allergist, "Just test him for everything and if something comes back positive, call us and we'll confirm whether or not it's in the V8 juice."

Well, I had finally had enough. I called the number I had and spoke to a very nice woman. I felt bad for speaking so firmly and harshly but I had to do something to get Pickle help. She read from the file that "we are helping with the situation." I cut her off and explained they weren't. Campbell's kept saying they would help but wouldn't. I told her I didn't want to get lawyers involved but I would if I had to. This was for the welfare of my child. Later that day Pickle's allergist had the list.

So yesterday, August 24th, Pickle was tested for a few of the ingredients we knew he hadn't had. While the allergist and I thought he would test allergic to one spice, it was actually watercress he is allergic to! Watercress is one of the 8 main veggies found in V8 juice. That explained why the reaction was so severe. I had seriously thought about shooting him with an epi-pen and heading to the hospital once again. Instead I just gave him Benadryl and monitored him for over an hour.

I have found allergies to be interesting things. For example, watercress is part of the mustard family. So Pickle will most likely be allergic to any type of mustard green. However, he is not allergic to yellow mustard at all. And those are in the same family. It all has to do with where the proteins are found and how things are made. We don't plan on using watercress for anything and it's not something hugely common, so I think it will all be OK.