I was given a new label for my PA son to-day - atopic. Apparently, (I had to ask) it means that he has ezcema, asthma and allergies. I'm not clear if there are any other things that are included in this label.
I found it interesting that the allergist had an actual "label" for my son, but only because I had never heard the word before.
At any rate, in reading what I was told is the definition of atopic - ezcema, asthma and allergies, how many people out there are dealing with these three things?
Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
------------------
![http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]](http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]){kind=link}
Ben has not officially been labeled asthmatic, but he has had wheezing episodes, and we keep albuterol on hand for that. He has eczema sometimes and various allergies. I have heard the term atopic and yes, it does apply to my son.
Hi, atopic definitely has a genetic context that seems to be missing here and from the post on the main board. I posted the medical definition of atopy and I checked it in several standard medical dictionaries and in a constantly updated fee-based medical database that I use regularly. See my post there.
Kathryn, thank-you for your posts both here and in the other thread. Now, when you said that atopic has a genetic component that I have not mentioned, does that mean that our children are genetically pre-disposed to have allergies, asthma, and ezcema because we, their parents have them?
If this is the case, then Jesse would still be considered atopic. Does that mean that if a child has allergies, asthma and ezcema with absolutely NO family history of any of them he/she is not considered atopic?
I found it interesting that you had genetic counselling before conception, only because I have never "known" anyone that has had that done. I know, for a fact, had we had genetic counselling before conceiving, I definitely would not have two beautiful, amazing children running around right now. Best wishes and many thanks. Oh, and also, I didn't mean to be offensive in my lack of not mentioning genetics and actually asked in my thread on the Main Discussion Board for an actual definition of atopic if someone could provide it, which you did.
My doctor to-day did not mention the genetic component, only the three things I listed.
However, given my history, I would consider Jesse atopic then.
Also, Bensmom, I was REALLY pleased to see you pop in in both threads because I have been very consciously paragraphing at your request! I've actually become used to it and even appreciate it myself when I have to re-read one of my posts. Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
------------------
Cindy when I mentioned the genetic component I meant that it was a key part of the medical definition of atopy. In other words if there is no genetic predisposition it is not atopic. I am not a medical person but I did read several definitions of this term and all of them say that atopy is a genetic predisposition to the development of hypersensitivity to allergens.
By genetic counselling, I meant a discussion that we had with our family doctor while preparing to become pregnant. She noted our family histories and advised that the possibility of having a child with these health concerns was very strong especially for male children. She also advised me to avoid nuts and peanuts while trying to become pregnant, while pregnant and while breastfeeding. I did and I was very knowledgeable about cross-contamination issues because of my brother's food allergies but Troy still developed food and environmental allergies and eczema and asthma. Our genetic history predisposed Troy to these conditions making them atopic in his case. Others can have these same conditions with no family history and would not be considered to have atopic manifestations of them.
Hope this helps.
[This message has been edited by Kathryn (edited December 06, 2000).]
The 3 conditions Cindy mentioned above, asthma, allergy and eczema comprise what is called the "atopic triad" and afflicts approximately 10% of the world's population, at some point in their life (number may be lower in the tropics).
Cindy - I found an excellent link for info on atopy: [url="http://www.eczema-assn.org/allabout_atopic_dermatitis.html"]www.eczema-assn.org/allabout_atopic_dermatitis.html[/url]
Lots of great info and links, and it is user-friendly for both doctors and patients. From the info I read, atopy may not necessarily show itself in childhood, and there are varying degrees of severity. There is a lot of research going into eczema (this site goes in depth into the research aspect) so hopefully some headway will be made, alongside the promising research into PA.
Here is a sample of the info available on this site:
What about food allergies?
Food allergies can cause flare-ups. Since an allergic reaction to food (either by skin contact during food preparation or by eating the food) can trigger an AD (atopic dermatitis) flare-up, it is important to identify the trigger foods.
Diagnosing food allergies is extremely difficult. The surest way is to observe a worsening of eczema when a particular food is eaten. Sometimes this is only a coincidence with flaring and needs to be verified with a food challenge, where the suspected food is eaten in the doctor
Morgan has also been labelled atopic and has all three, allergies, asthma and eczema!
Kathyrn, I'm sorry, you didn't have to provide me with more information re your genetic counselling. I just meant that with the family histories of both my husband and I with certain "conditions" shall we say, we probably would have been advised NOT to bring any children into this world.
I will consider Jesse atopic by your definition.
Cayley's Mom, Oh Queen of Website Links, although I say that jokingly to you, I really appreciate the wealth of information you come in here and share with all of us. I'm looking forward to checking this particular link out. Thank-you very much.
Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
------------------
Morgansmom, we were typing at the same time!
Great minds think alike! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img] Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
------------------
Both of my children are atopic.My doctor explained this to me as as that they have an overreactive immune system. Both children have eczema and asthma, Joseph has peanut allergy and oliver is allergic to antibiotics.
I found this in the FAN newsletter, and I thought it very clearly defined what atopic was even though we're really clear about it anyway.
"If a child has a confirmed diagnosis of an allergy to a given food such as egg, milk, or peanut, this child has, by definition, an atopic disease. The atopic diseases include allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis and food allergy.
In the simplest of terms, atopy means that an individual has a genetic predisposition to form specific allergy antibody responses, i.e., IgE to allergens such as pollen from trees, grasses and weeds, as well as selected foods, drugs, and insect venom.
Therefore, as compared with children without any atopic diseases, individuals with a previous diagnosis of a specific food allergy have a potentially increased risk for developing an allergic reaction to another food allergen in the future.
Several different investigations of large numbers of patients with food allergy have demonstrated that some individuals may have allergies to a few selected foods (e.g., egg, cow milk, peanut, and soy). In general, multiple food allergies are rare.
In summary, a child who has been diagnosed with a food allergy to one food is predisposed, by nature of being atopic, to developing another food allergy in the future, but specific numbers relating to this risk are currently unavailable."
This is the first FAN newsletter I have received and I must say I think it's a must for all of us. Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
------------------
Pages