Contact rash caused by Ranch dressing?

[NewMum]

Anyone else have problems with this?

DS has had ranch dressing twice. The first time, he got just a dab to play with at dinner. He sees me dipping things in it and always begs for it. Normally, I don't give him too many sauces or dressings. About 5 mins later, his face, all around his mouth and on his cheeks and chin he broke out in a red, hot splotchy rash. We gave him some benadryl and kept an eye on him. No breathing problems or swelling. About 30 mins after he got the benadryl, it went away completely.

The second time he had it was an accident. My sis, who didn't know about the rash before gave him a french fry with a little on it. As soon as I noticed, I took it away and wiped him down and gave him water. He did sprout a little rash that time, as well, but it was only a couple small dots.

Anyway, it doesn't seem to be a food allergy, just a skin rash. And, obviously, we are making sure everyone knows now not to give him any more. As far as we know, DS isn't allergic to any other foods, and he's tried just about everything so far.

Just curious to know if anyone else has experienced this, and if you might know what's in the dressing that causes it?

[MrsKitty]

We have the same thing with tomatoe sauce. If he eats it ...nothing. No problem. If it touches his skin once we wipe it off his skin is red and blotchy.

[NewMum]

Maybe it has something to do with the acidity, then? I was thinking with the dressing it might be the pepper in it? But, he's had small amounts of pepper on other things with no problems.

[CatSoup]

Ds1 used to get that with just about every sauce or dressing he ate. Ranch too. Just avoid it for awhile, he may out grow it.

[JudyJudyJudy]

How old is he? Has he had milk before? Most ranch dressings also contain MSG.

[KatieLou]

It could have been more than just a contact reaction. One of the signs of a food allergy is a skin rash as you described. Hives. My children always start out with this. The thing about a food allergy is (if it is indedd a food allergy) is that the reaction can vary each time. He may have just the hives and facial itching one time, and a much worse reaction the next time, you just never know.

How old is he? You said he has tried just about everything? Garlic? Paprika? both of these are in Ranch dressings (both of these my DC are severly allergic to. Of course it contains dairy, but I am assuming that he eats dairy on a semi-regualr basis.

Either way, I caution you to stay away from the Ranch untill you know for sure if it was a food reaction or just a contact skin reaction.

Tomato, can cause what appears to be a allergic food reaction in some people who are not truely allrgic to it, like Mrs Kitty said. The acid in the tomato is very high and can cause red facial hives.

[madelsmama]

I think Ranch has egg in it, too.

[KatieLou]

Personally I would grab a bottle of the Ranch, jot down every last ingredient, along with the type of reaction, and make an appt. with the allergist, JIC. (((hug)))

[NewMum]

Thanks KatieLou, and everyone.

DS is 17 mos. Yes, he has eaten a very wide variety of foods.. mine and DH's familes have very different cullinary preferences. : )
He gets some sort of dairy every day, no problems there. Garlic is used often in both families' cooking. No problems. Not sure about the paprika. I'm pretty sure he's had deviled eggs with it... and doesn't mayo have that in it as well?

I didn't know that there could be different types of reactions. Thanks for telling me! We have been very careful so he doesn't get it again. The whole family knows and we've posted a note on the fridges so everyone remembers. I'll tell you, the first rash scared the crap out of me. Food allergies don't run in either family, so we've not had any experience with them before.

[KatieLou]

I would just keep an eye out for any other reactions that he may have. My DC just recently developed the garlic allergy and before that we used garlic almost daily with no issues at all. Meaning, you could develop a FA at any time, even if the food has been fine a ton of times before.

Not trying to scare you, or even say that this was a food reaction, just wanted to caution you to keep a eye out. I hope it is nothing. (((hug))) I know how scary even the thought of it can be.

[JudyJudyJudy]

Do you know what brand of ranch dressing it was?

I would want to find out exactly what he reacted to, not just avoid ranch, because he might encounter the culprit in other foods as well.

[NewMum]

Thanks again KatieLou, I really appreciate the good info!
Judy, it's a store brand. Publix. I'm worried about it being in something else, too.

DS' next Dr. appt is soon. I'll bring it up with her and have her get us in with someone asap.

[JudyJudyJudy]

I googled but was unable to find the ingredients.

In my experience, many doctors don't take allergies seriously enough, so you need to be prepared with the ingredients and insist on your son being tested for the suspect ones.

[NewMum]

Thanks for the tip Judy! I've got a bottle and will take the label in to her.

We are being switched to a new doc- our old one left last month. DS has seen this one once or twice before b/c she's in the same practice. I love her!! She's very thorough and she listens to my concerns. I'm sure we'll have no problems working together to get this figured out.

[JudyJudyJudy]

That sounds good. :)

[KatieLou]

Good luck!

[still_me]

We had the same thing happen to DS1 & 2. They both have extremely sensitive skin and that is what caused them to break out.

ETA: Sorry, this was sent before I got to finish.


I hope that you figure out what it is and I would not hesitate to get it check out either.