Food challenge advice

[Teapig]

DD is 17 months and due to have her first food challenge on Monday. It's a baked egg challenge at St Mary's and due to numerous cock ups we've been waiting 9 months for this.

Today though she's come down with a cold and had capol last night. I know food challenges can't be done if antihistamine has been given in the last week but what about if you have a cold and have had capol?

I'm guessing anything that effects the immune system stops a food challenge going ahead but wondered if anyone knows. Her appointment is first thing Monday so I won't be able to check in advance.

[ShitSlippers]

I've taken ds for food challenges and seen other children turned away for colds and coughs. Having said that, ds has been challenged with a bit of a sniffle, but his chest was clear when they listened to it. I completely understand how you must feel after waiting months for a challenge - I'm so paranoid about ds coming down with something before a challenge that I usually have him in isolation for a week beforehand! - but, understandably, no hospital would put a child at potential risk of an allergic reaction when there are other factors present that could worsen it. It's a pain in the arse that your appt is Monday as it forces you into making a decision. For me, if I was unsure as to whether the cold was on her chest or not, I would probably take her in and let the hospital make the decision. The calpol shouldn't make any difference to the challenge. Even if they won't do the challenge on Monday, you may not have to wait months to reschedule - at one of ds's we were unable to get him to eat enough of the food and I was able to talk the nurse in charge of the dept into making us another appointment for a fortnight later. Fingers crossed for a miraculous recovery!

[trixymalixy]

I would take her in. Be Perfectly honest and let them decide. My DD had her hidden egg challenge with a bit of a cold and passed it, her chest was clear when they listened to it.

[trixymalixy]

Oh and calpol shouldn't make any difference.

[eragon]

agree. calpol shouldnt make any difference.
take her in. we have been to st mary's hopsital for food challenges for quite a few years, so dont worry.

[WheresTheHoneyMummy]

My DD (11) is due to start a series of food challenges soon, can you tell me what involved etc please? She's petrified that she's going to have an allergic reaction and need her epi-pens

[Teapig]

Thanks all for the sound advice. As suggested I'll let the hospital decide. It's a PITA but safety comes first. If she can't have the challenge hopefully we can make a new appointment while we're there.

wheresthehoney, I'd be interested to hear how it works too. I was thinking thet would give very small amounts so that symptoms would present before it got near the point of needing an epipen but really I have no idea so would love to hear from others who have been through it.

[eragon]

The food challenges at quite relaxed, there are a row of sofas, toys and its all quite comfy.
the nurse comes along introduces themselves and explains what is going to happen.
checks on blood pressure and chest are made and forms filled.

sometimes a little of the allergen is put on face or lip, then after 20 mins then eating small amounts starts.
its a slow build up to eating larger amounts of the allergen until the end.
There is no need to worry, at any sign of a reaction they usually end it there and then. Antihistamine is all that is required.

We always look on these days with a mixture of hope and dread. We have had failed challenges as well as passes. We have always been very happy with the care that St Mary's has given us over the years with both of our allergic children.
Please dont worry, your child will be given excellent care and are in very capable hands.
Boredom is going to be a part of this day, so bring kindle /newspaper/ and buy plenty of coffee!

[Teapig]

I'm just popping back in to say thanks for the advice, I'm glad we followed it.

We took our DD in for the food challenge and let the hospital decide whether she was well enough, they listened to her chest and said she was.

The challenge was just as you described eragon, it was good to have an idea of what was in store beforehand.

We were amazed that she passed and can now have baked egg. Hoping you get a positive result too wheresthehoney.

[Noseypoke]

Brilliant!! Did they say that it's important to give baked egg regularly to try and improve tolerance hopefully moving on to a full egg challenge?