Our night routine includes a lot of moisturizing after a lukewarm bath for my daughter. As I do so,  I’ll examine her skin to see if there has been improvement or if new patches of eczema have cropped up. It is not something she savors. She disdains anything remotely greasy on her skin. It is also not something I enjoy much either. It is stressful.  

A big bath towel wrapped around her, she sits on the bathtub ledge, her dripping legs propped on to my toweled lap as I sit on the stool in front of her.  That’s the position after her bath.

Then I proceed with my nightly modus operandi…check skin, mutter, slather skin, check skin, sigh, look closer, check skin, wonder out loud, check my attitude, check skin,  slather, check my own attitude….

Last night, while I was inwardly commenting on her persistent rough elbow bends, she suddenly said “I was rather sad today.”

That raised my antenna.

I thought she had a chiefly grand day for a weekday.  She went with daddy (who took the day off), and Shang, our house-guest to the Space and Rocket Center in the morning and I had packed them a big picnic basket. In the afternoon, we organized a surprise birthday party for Shang and my husband (their birthdays coincidentally fall on the same day, July 1^st, today actually), and she had her swimming lesson before dinner time.

“I walked past three Dippin’ Dots stand, and I remember the last time I had it. It was at the fair and it tasted so good. Mama, when can I have Dippin’ Dots again?”  Her tone was plaintive.

I was surprised. When they had come back from the Space and Rocket Center, I asked my husband if she asked about eating Dippin’ Dots. His reply was that she probably didn’t notice the stands as she didn’t say anything. Actually, before they left, we agreed that if she had asked for it there, a cup of that wonderful specimen of comfort food might be all right.  She is not severely allergic to dairy and if she had to have that, I could live with it. But she didn’t ask.  She didn’t even comment about it each time she passed a stand. .

I hugged her, my heart breaking a little. I said she would be able to take it one day. She gave me a bright smile. Issue settled.

It will have to be a very special occasion though, and just once or twice a year. Maybe when the fair comes in fall, I might let her have a small cup or two after our ferris wheel ride. I had checked the Dippin’ Dots ingredients online: Pasteurized Homogenized Milk, cream, nonfat milk solids, sugar, guar gum and carrageenan.  I don’t like it but at least there is no corn or soy. 

It just blessed my heart  though that she has matured this much the past few months. It’s not easy for adults to give up food they enjoy. How much more difficult it is for a little girl who has to give up ice-cream and candy.  And more besides.

I pray God will give us wisdom, patience and grace as we take this journey together.

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Posted by 3FoldChord

Thats's good that a little dairy isn't too bad for her. My friends who have kids with ecsema can't have any dairy at all.

My youngest has LOTS of food allergies and there is so much he can't have. Some things he just can NOT EVER have and some things don't really cause too bad a reaction, but it's like filling up a beaker. If I allow him to have one 'mild allergy food' today, and one on Minday and one on next friday- it will have built up and that's no good.

My oldest can't have dairy. Well he could..... it's not a bad reaction,I guess, in the scheme of things.... but even a handful of Cheez-It crackers will be enough to cause my 11 yr old to wet the bed.I think he has gotten to a point where it might be OK to have 1 small dairy once very 6 weeks.... I might try that. It's so sad to not allow your child to have foods they love.

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Posted by MelM

My daughter loves these too...It never would have occured to me that there'd be allergy issues. Goodness, and your daughter passed right by three stands with nary a word? What a strong girl. My heart is breaking just reading your post...but it sure sounds like you're doing a fine job with her. Kudos to you!
And...I'm going to have to grab sea salt at the store today. Your rosemary chicken and olive rice has me drooling...and it's only 0930!
Best wishes for the 4th. May your weekend be safe and happy.

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Posted by gmisch

I came across your site doing a Random Blog. I am sorry that your little girl suffers from excema. My son #2 was allergic to tomatoes when he was little and broke out in a rash all over his body, and they still make him hyper if he eats too much We also just discovered that my son #1 appears to be allergic to polyester. We changed out his sheets and blankets, but the hardest part was letting go of the stuffed animals. My kids know what it is to do without something you love.

It seems to me that kids seem to be able to do better at it than adults. I don't let them have sugar when they are sick, and they tend to police themselves, but when I get sick, I have to stay out of the pantry, or I will grab something bad!

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Posted by principledmom

I can really identify with your post. My dd also has eczema. It's terrible and it never goes away unless she takes oral steroids. I've had her tested and she isn't allergic to anything but ragweed. Have you heard of a kid testing negative but really having an allergy that presents like eczema?

And I, too, get so tired of all the greasy creamy slatherings and pills and liquids and what not. Does her diet really help her? Are you diligent with it? How long did it take to see a difference? Sorry for all the questions, I just love speaking to a mom with my same life challenges. We will be in prayer for your dd. We also pray for a boy at our church with the same condition.

Anna-Marie

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