FPIES 101

I want to start by explaining the basics about FPIES so you can have a basic idea of where we are coming from. 

In short FPIES sucks, in more detail it is Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome. It affects a tiny (though ever growing) percent of the population, primarily affecting infants and children but teens and adults can have the condition as well.

There are two different kinds of FPIES, acute and chronic.

Bugg has chronic FPIES so that is what I will focus my post on today.

Chronic FPIES affects her lower intestine, causing her to have diarrhea, blood and/or mucous filled BMs, intense gas pains, indigestion, heart burn  and a variety of skin reactions hours or days after ingesting either directly (by her eating) or indirectly (by breast feeding from me after i ate) a food that she is "allergic" to. 

It can cause weight loss or failure to thrive in most cases but in Bugg's case she has always gained weight beautifully which lead to a delay in our diagnosis. Every child has unique triggers that can cause any or all symptoms I listed above (and even some other lovely symptoms too...)

Treatment involves avoiding all food triggers until the child outgrows the reactions (typically between the ages of 1-5) and management of symptoms when present.

There is plenty more to explain, and I will, but for now I will leave you with one final thought on FPIES. 

I HATE IT.

thanks for reading...

#fpies #baby #Bugg #allergy #allergies